Each year the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recognizes the top Minnesota dairy herds with low somatic cell counts (SCC). Since 2003, MDA and University of Minnesota dairy experts have worked with the state’s dairy farmers to lower somatic cell counts. Somatic cell count is a key indicator of milk quality – a lower SCC is better for cheese production and shelf life of bottled milk. Somatic cells occur naturally and are not a food safety concern. Dairy farmers monitor SCC because it can be used as a way of measuring the health of their cows.
The dairy producers on this list have achieved the goal of having an average SCC of 100,000 or lower in the previous year. The names appear in the order of lowest to highest average SCC.
Minnesota Dairy Herds with Low Somatic Cell Counts (SCC)
June 2023
Producer Name |
County |
---|---|
Kent Happke |
Morrison |
Dennis and Wayne Wolters |
Morrison |
Edward and Mary Warmkagathje |
Olmsted |
Keith and Jennifer Middendorf |
Todd |
Tony and Matt Berktold |
Wabasha |
Selke Farms |
Winona |
Hendel Farms |
Houston |
D and D Dairy |
Winona |
Harmony Hills Dairy |
Carver |
Hoefs' Dairy LLC |
LeSueur |
Kevin Braulick |
Brown |
Scott and Denise Gathje |
Stearns |
Reuter Farms |
Dakota |
Kevin Hanson |
Polk |
Colleen Berscheit |
Brown |
Chad Waltman |
Morrison |
Fussy Farm LLC |
Morrison |
Randy H. and Kathleen J. Bauer |
Rice |
Robert, Terri, and Mike Ketchum |
Winona |
Robin Winscher |
Morrison |
Lax-Pietig Dairy LLC |
Renville |
Dev-Lin Holsteins LLC |
Houston |
Joe and Kim Engelmeyer |
Stearns |
Kraig and Rochelle Kreinkie |
McLeod |
Brian and Julia Libbesmeier |
Meeker |
Brandon and Jill Marshik |
Benton |
Barkeim Farms LLC |
Winona |
Scott and Michelle Herber |
Winona |
Youngren Dairy Farms Inc. |
Kandiyohi |
Marshall and Melanie Korn |
Kandiyohi |
Harlan and Jenny Poppler |
Wright |
Houdek Dairy LLC |
Houston |
Jerome, Beverly, and Aaron Pohlmann |
Todd |
Zweber Farms LLC |
Scott |
Jeff and Austin Middendorf |
Stearns |
Pine Vue Farms |
Winona |
Alan and Jessica Klimek |
Douglas |
Dean and Elizabeth Johnson |
Cottonwood |
Evergreen Acres Dairy LLC #7 |
Stearns |
Schulte Farms |
Houston |
Paul Mehr |
Stearns |
Debra Heuer |
Meeker |
Duane Burke |
Otter Tail |
Paul and Amanda Marx |
Mower |
Randal and LouAnn Wagner |
Rice |
Schulte Farms of Caledonia LLC |
Houston |
Hammell Dairy Inc. |
Houston |
Merdan Dairy Inc. |
Stearns |
Sobeck Brothers Farm |
Winona |
Valley Acres Dairy |
Winona |
Randy and Amanda Hartung |
Stearns |
Paul, Bonnie, Jeremy, and Hope Middendorf |
Todd |
Sunny Side Dairy |
Hennepin |
Chad and Heather Felten |
Mower |
Maynard and Jeremiah Schumacher |
Wabasha |
Magedanz Foreview Dairy LLC |
Stearns |
Riverview LLP - West Dublin |
Swift |
James and Mary Evans |
Pipestone |
Rolling Ridge Acres Inc. |
Winona |
Trailside Holsteins LLC |
Fillmore |
D&L Johnson Dairy Farm LLC |
Winona |
Mark T. Klehr |
Scott |
Bill Miller |
Wabasha |
Robert and Melanie Hinsch |
Goodhue |
Schwing D. Farm |
Stearns |
Don Anderson |
Carlton |
Shir-Man Holsteins II |
Fillmore |
Tatge Dairy LLC |
Rice |
Vogt Dairy LLC |
Stearns |
Wirtland Holsteins |
Winona |
Mark Flicker |
Morrison |
New Heights Dairy LLC |
Morrison |
Valley View Farm |
Winona |
Cory and Jenna Middendorf |
Stearns |
North Creek Dairy LLC |
Olmsted |
Kiefland Holsteins LLC |
Winona |
Michael and Kris Banse |
Houston |
Naatz Dairy Cows |
Olmsted |
Tuma Brothers Dairy |
Le Sueur |
Michael Sellner |
Brown |
Kevin Virchow |
Freeborn |
Darin and Brierly Grimsgard |
Meeker |
Jeremy and Amanda Wentland |
Stearns |
Calvin Beumer |
Morrison |
Knisley Dairy Inc. |
Stearns |
Tim and Julie Bruder |
Todd |
Richard and Ann Stocker |
Scott |
Kaylie and Bob Gruber |
Morrison |
Schefers Bros LLC |
Stearns |
Jeff Beckman |
Goodhue |
Duane and Karen Timm |
Wabasha |
John Miller |
Wabasha |
Nelson's Organic Dairy LLC |
Winona |