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