April 2006

Garfi eld joins the Swiss Valley Team!! SWISS VALLEY FARMS ELECTS NEW BOARD PRESIDENT

t its yearly reorganization While Don was still in high school meeting in mid-February, the in 1958, he took over the 40-cow ASwiss Valley Farms Board of farm operation in Cashton, Wis., Directors elected Donald Peterson of from his father. On Coulee Crest Published Monthly by: Cashton, Wis. as its new president. Farm, Don and his wife Dorothy Swiss Valley Farms, Co. In this position, Don will follow and their son Kurt have developed P.O. Box 4493 long-time Board President Gerald an impressive herd of 170 Guernseys Davenport IA 52808 Bratland, who retired this year. that have included three consecutive James Schmitt, Sherrill, Iowa, was generations of #1 index cows in the 563.468.6600 FAX 563.468.6613 elected Board treasurer, replacing breed in the past fi ve years. www.swissvalley.com Peterson in this position. Don is a past American Randy Schaefer, Blue Grass, Guernsey Association (AGA) Board Nancy Feeney Iowa, was re-elected vice president. of Director and Finance Chairman. Editor/ Member Relations Mgr. Pam Bolin, Clarksville, Iowa was Don fi rst joined the Swiss Valley Karen Bohnert Member Relations Assistant re-elected secretary. James Oelfke, Farms Board as a Wisconsin-at-large Hamburg, Minn., was elected director in 1999. He was elected the director for District 16 in 2004. “Swiss Valley Farms Co., a farmer-owned cooperative, believes in market security by producing and marketing the highest quality products and services to customers, members and employees.”

Swiss Valley Board Offi cers President Donald Peterson...... Cashton, WI Vice President Co-CEO’s Boelens & Toyne present Newly appointed Board President Don Randy Schaefer...... Blue Grass, IA Bratland with a good-bye gift. Peterson and his wife, Dorothy. Secretary Pam Bolin...... Clarksville, IA Assistant Secretary. Treasurer Th at same year, Don was elected James Schmitt...... Sherrill, IA In other reorganization business, Board Treasurer. He was appointed Donald Berlage, Elizabeth, Ill., and to represent Swiss Valley Farms G. Joe Lyon, Toledo, Iowa, were on the National Milk Producers Swiss Valley Directors elected to the Board’s Executive Loyde M. Beers...... Eastman, WI Federation Board of Directors in Donald Berlage...... Elizabeth, IL Committee. 2003. Steve Klug...... Spring Grove, MN Also during this meeting, retiring All these activities and Dale Humpal...... Ridgeway, IA Board President Gerald Bratland successes lead to Don being named Donald Kowalski...... Wausau, WI received a plaque to commemorate “Dairyman of the Year” at the 2004 Francis Leibfried...... Cuba City, WI his 27 years of service on the Swiss G. Joe Lyon...... Toledo, IA World Dairy Expo in Madison, Jeff Nimtz...... Monticello, WI Valley Farms Board of Directors. Wis. Jim Oelfke...... Hamburg, MN Swiss Valley Farms’ new Board We wish Don all the best in his Patrick Schroeder...... Lancaster, WI President has been involved in new position on the Swiss Valley William Strief...... Farley, IA dairying since he was a young boy. Farms’ Board of Directors. page 2 SWISS VALLEY FARMS DAIRYMAN Platteville Swiss cheese plant reaps benefi t OF LOCAL ENERGY SAVING PROGRAM

or a business like Swiss Product innovation is not Valley Farms’ cheese plant in FPlatteville, Wis., it takes more just an intangible concept; “ than turning off the lights to rack up big energy savings. So when Alliant “ it is the outcome of a Energy – Wisconsin Power and Light Company created a program to assist area businesses with their energy coordinated effort... conservation eff orts, the Platteville Power and Light Company provided “Product innovation is not plant was on board in a heartbeat. up front money for the improvements just an intangible concept; it is the In 2002, Alliant installed a new, to the co-op’s plant. Swiss Valley out come of a coordinated eff ort more energy-effi cient boiler at the Farms is paying these costs back to the between eff ective management and Platteville cheese plant, upgraded the power company from their monthly an active partnership with our Alliant boiler room, insulated some pipes energy savings. When the money is colleagues,” says Wieser. “We are and removed 100 feet of unneeded paid back in fi ve years, the co-op will fortunate to have an active account pipes. begin to recoup their energy savings. manager in Troy Pittz, who provides Since these improvements were To celebrate four years of energy business decision-making support made, Swiss Valley Farms has saved savings, two offi cials from Alliant and creative programs to reduce the 40,000 to 50,000 therms annually in Energy, Troy Pittz and William risk associated with these times of energy output. Keep in mind that an Jordahl, were recently given a tour of fl uctuating energy prices.” average household uses 700 therms the Platteville plant by Bill Wieser, “My role is to help customers save annually. general manager of Swiss Valley energy,” Pittz says. “It keeps us from Th rough this Shared Savings Farms’ cheese operations, and Mike having to build more power plants Program, Alliant Energy – Wisconsin Green, Platteville plant manager. and it helps the co-op’s bottom line.”

William Jordahl, manager-government aff airs, Alliant Energy; Troy Pittz, major account manager, Alliant Energy; Bill Wieser, general manager of Swiss Valley Farm’s cheese operations, and Mike Green, manager of the SVF Platteville plant, pose for a quick snapshot in front of the boiler at the plant.

APRIL 2006 page 3 GARFIELD JOINS THE TEAM!

a message from Ron Schroder director of marketing

ho is the most widely promotion will be on our packaging syndicated cartoon when the movie is released in theaters Wcharacter in the world, with in June until the DVD is made available 2,600 newspapers and 263 million in November. readers worldwide? Who had a hit Retail grocery products that will feature movie in 2004 and is returning in the Garfi eld: sequel in June 2006? Who has wide • 2% chocolate gallon appeal with kids and adults of all ages? • Whole chocolate half gallon Who will be appearing on Swiss Valley • Whole chocolate pint Farms’ chocolate milk cartons? In total, Garfi eld will appear Th e answer to all of the above is on about 1 million milk cartons in GARFIELD! grocery stores and 20 million cartons Garfi eld the Cat has been appearing in schools. DAIRYMAN. in comic strips for over 20 years and While this promotion is running, We are excited about the has become one of the most popular Swiss Valley Farms will be able to use opportunity that this promotion characters of all time. Garfi eld in all of it’s advertising and represents. It will provide more interest Garfi eld can now be found in a promotion material. Garfi eld will and visibility for our fl avored milk variety of media: be appearing in radio, billboards, business to tie-in with a popular, • Newspapers magazines and coupons in the Sunday nationally-recognized character like • “Garfi eld& Friends” newspaper. Examples of those ads will Garfi eld. It is believed this promotion syndicated TV show be published in future editions of the • Books (over 135 million sold) • Video games • Internet sites (Garfi eld.com and Professor Garfi eld.com) Garfi eld is also in the movies! He starred in his own successful movie in 2004 and the sequel is being released in June 2006. Swiss Valley Farms will benefi t from Garfi eld’s popularity and from his new movie by featuring him on packages of chocolate milk. Beginning in early April, Garfi eld will start appearing on school milk cartons. He will be on 1% chocolate and skim chocolate paper half pints from April through early June. He will be returning in the Fall from late August through November. Garfi eld will appear on chocolate milk in the grocery stores from June through December. Th at means the page 4 SWISS VALLEY FARMS DAIRYMAN will encourage school children to drink more milk and that it will attract the attention of consumers in the grocery store who are buying milk for their families. You may be wondering how Swiss Valley Farms became connected with a popular, nationally-known character like Garfi eld. Th e company that developed and manages Garfi eld contacted Swiss Valley Farms because they believed our products would be a good fi t and are widely available in the Midwest in schools and grocery stores. Th ey also knew we are a progressive company that is willing to try new program. Th e creator of Garfi eld, Jim Davis, has been personally involved in developing this promotion and helping to ensure it will be successful.

APRIL 2006 page 5 District Reps gather information on their COOP & NATIONAL DAIRY SCENE

istrict Representatives from across the Swiss Val- school lesson plans, Nutrition Explorations, by visiting: ley Farms member area gathered in Marquette, http://www.nutritionexplorations.org. Th is website con- DIowa on March 21 for what turned out to be nects you to information on fun, new second grade and a very informative meeting with just the touch of a sur- fourth grade nutrition programs that are free to teachers prise. in this area. (See opposite page for more information on Th e district reps were joined by all the Swiss Valley this.) Farms Board members as well as Swiss Valley Farms’ Co- Ron Schroder, director of marketing, Swiss Valley CEO’s and Management Team members. Farms, provided the surprise of the day by announcing Members of the Swiss Valley Farms Management Team that Swiss Valley Farms was teaming up with Garfi eld the reported on the activity in their departments, which was Cat to promote milk in our schools. (See page 4 for full followed by 45 minutes of questions from the district rep- story.) resentatives. Co-CEO Gordy Toyne explained two ‘rec- Roger Blimling from Blimling and Associates gave an ommended decisions” in the Federal Orders program that overview of the dairy industry, and projections for 2006. would benefi t fl uid milk processors in the Midwest. One He explained that increased milk production in the U.S. decision recommends adoption of proposals that would will lead to lower prices during the coming months. He deter the de-pooling of milk in the Upper Midwest mar- closed with discussion on the state of the economy in gen- keting Area. Th is would keep Class III processors from eral and took many interesting questions from the district jumping in and out of orders to avoid negative Producer reps. Price Diff erential (PPD’s). Another decision relates to re- strictions on the amount of milk pooled on the Midwest Orders, but produced in other states. Pam Bolin, District 21 director and representative of the Midwest Dairy Association Board, gave a brief presen- tation on promotion and education activity. Pam pointed out that members could acquire excellent dairy nutrition

Ron Schroder, left, SVF Director of Marketing, addresses the group on new promotional strategies. Garfi eld made an appearance at the meeting in the guise of stuff ed toys that some reps won in the door prize drawings. Above, Dave Bolin Clarksville, Iowa snuggles up with Garfi eld.

page 6 SWISS VALLEY FARMS DAIRYMAN News from MIDWEST DAIRY ASSOCIATION Activities Th at Make Nutrition Learning Fun ittle D’s Nutrition Expedition™ for 2nd grade and Arianna’s Nutrition Expedition™ for 4th grade help students learn the Limportance of good nutrition and physical activity. Th e Nutrition Expedition programs are teacher-tested and designed to support both health and language arts curricula. Little D’s Nutrition Expedition™ Meet Little D the Dragon and join him on his Nutrition Expedition! Th is 10-activity program incorporates engaging, hands-on learning that supplements the language arts and health curricula. Four interactive games reinforce classroom activities. Lessons include: Meet the Royal Food Family, Sir Milkford and Lady Holly’s Milk Group, Princess Peapod’s Vegetable Group and We Need All Five. Arianna’s Nutrition Expedition™ Hold on and get ready for some fun adventures - to Antarctica, Th e Big City, the Orient Express, “Th e-Great-Mysteries-of-Nutrition” Pavillion and the Playground Cave! Th is eight-activity program, which supports MyPyramid, supplements both the language arts and health curricula. Th ree engaging, Interactive Nutrition Games reinforce nutrition content learned in the classroom. For more information log onto: Lessons include: Arianna Bones and the Case of the Missing Food Groups, http://www.nutritionexplorations.orgArianna Bones and the “Great- Mysteries-of-Nutrition” Pavilion and Arianna and the Combination Cookbook. For information on how to get these programs for your locals school, go to http://www.nutritionexplorations.org. Lifestyles Shape Kids’ Future Heart Health revention of heart disease is the focus of the American Heart Association’s recently released statement on nutrition for children and adolescents. Among the recommendations: P • Drop the Pop – Children need to drink three servings of milk per day • Get Moo-ving - Children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous play every day • Be a Role Model - Parents can lead by example and encourage healthy habits Pediatricians Call for a Calcium Check-up report by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends drinking three 8-oz glasses of milk per day (or the equivalent) to achieve the recommended adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D in children 4 to A8 years of age, and four 8- to 10-oz glasses of milk (or the equivalent) to achieve the adequate calcium and vitamin D intake for adolescents. Th e AAP suggests getting calcium from dairy foods fi rst such as milk, fl avored milk, cheese and yogurt, with an emphasis on low-fat or fat-free varieties, to help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life. Th e report also stresses the importance of parental role modeling, physical activity and the call for pediatricians to regularly assess their patients’ calcium intake.

APRIL 2006 page 7 Groezingers built dairy to SUIT NEEDS OF THE FAMILY & THE COWS by Mary Bjorling

areful planning is the key to-day basis, which is perhaps smaller those local farmers who put in new to success in any venture, than some.” His plan was to build an milking facilities and saw a lot of Cbut in agriculture it is operation that is effi cient enough to diff erent ideas,” Norm said. doubly important. But perhaps more allow the family some private time Janet, who Norm describes as important is that operation must and still let Norman do what he likes “a good partner”p and “an important meet the needs of the farm family. best – work with the cows. part of theh team eff ort,” put in her For Norman and Janet Groezinger Norman’s father, Earl, purchased two cent’ss worth in the design of the and their son Brian, Swiss Valley the farm in 1973 and Norman began new facilities.i “I have to be here, so I Farms producers, their Spruce-Groez farming. He and Janet married in want to beb able to enjoy it. I wanted Dairy shows the vital role planning 1978. “I’ve always been in dairy and I it nice andn light,” she said. On all plays in all aspects of their operation. grew up with it,” Norm says. holidays thet milk parlor is decorated Norm said he planned the changes Th ey fi rst milked in a 44- accordingly, including St. Pat’s Day in his dairy operation to meet his goals. stanchion barn, but in 1991 they and Easter. A trimmed Christmas tree “I’ve looked at a lot of farmers getting began looking around and planning is placed in the front windows during larger, but I wanted a hands-on, day- for diff erent facilities. “I looked at Christmas time. Two years after completion of the building project, the result of their planning is a bright, attractive, spotlessly clean milking parlor, with a bank of large windows letting in the sunlight, and a much easier to manage dairy operation. Th e building project began in increments. Th e fi rst in 1999 was a 120-free stall building with mattresses. In 2001, a 2.5 million-gallon earthen lagoon was constructed. In 2003, the double-8 milking parlor was built. With their typical, thoughtful planning, the milking parlor can easily be expanded to a double-12 since the cement work is already in place. Th ey use chopped straw bedding in the free stall rather than sand. Norm believes that while sand may do a better job, it is harder on the manure handling system. Th ey have an electric scraper in the free stall, which runs every three hours. Th e Janet and Norm Groeziner take pride in their new milk parlor, downside of the scraper is that under which has been in full operation for two years. 10 degrees F, it doesn’t work well. The new facility was built in three main, well-planned increments. “We have about 60 days a year when page 8 SWISS VALLEY FARMS DAIRYMAN “I’ve looked at a lot of farmers getting larger, but I wanted a hands-on, day-to-day basis, which is perhaps smaller than some.” we have to use a skid steer,” to clean, Norm has been very happy with Th e steers are then fed out to market he said. the results and thinks the change weight. A subway under the milking has added an increase in protein Th e manure lagoon is emptied once parlor has helped with the noise and brought hybrid vigor into the a year by a commercial handler and level and is cleaner and less work to off spring. Th ey raise all their own knifed into the family’s land. Th ey own maintain, Janet said. replacements. about 286 acres and rent another 120 Janet and Norm recall the switch Norman, Janet and Brian now acres. Th e Groezingers raise all their from the stanchions to the milking milk about 100 head twice a day with own feed on 285 tillable acres and have parlor, which had all the aspects of a the help of some part-time high school some grain and soybeans to sell. segment of Championship Rodeo. A help. Th e herd has a 22,000 rolling Norm and Janet’s basic life crowd of willing helpers were pressed average, with 3 percent protein and philosophy puts fi rst things fi rst. into service, including friends and 800 pounds butterfat. Th eir family, including Brian, and relatives and those of the vet and A sister-in-law, Mary Lynn daughters, Jennifer, a junior high construction workers, tried to move Groezinger, raises the calves from teacher in Park Forest, and Angie, a the cattle into the new milking parlor. one day to about 6 months of age. student at Illinois State University who plans to be an elementary teacher, comes fi rst. In the future, Norm says they might eliminate the steer enterprise and add more cows to the milking line, while raising production and effi ciency. Whatever future decisions they make, you can be certain they will be carefully considered and the end results will be for the good of the Groezinger family as well as the dairy operation.

Having a subway under the milk parlor makes the milk parlor quieter, cleaner and easier to maintain, Janet says. Swiss Valley Farms fi eld representative Mike Howald checks on the equipment. “Th e fi rst day it was pretty bad. Th e second day it was worse – the cows knew what was coming. Th e third day it was a little better and by the sixth day things were working,” Norm remembers with an ironic chuckle. About 10 years ago, Norm decided to change his breeding program to build a crossbred herd. He decided to add Brown Swiss and is now bringing Jersey into the Holstein-based herd. The Groezinger’s double-8 parlor built in 2003 is Th ey AI and also use a clean-up bull. expandable to a double-12.

APRIL 2006 page 9 CWT to increase resources THROUGH 10CENT ASSESSMENT

he members of Cooperatives irrelevant in the marketplace if we will remain at the 74% level of the Working Together voted in don’t have suffi cient resources to do nation’s milk supply that it presently TMarch to double the program’s what farmers expect of us.” enjoys. current fi ve-cent per hundredweight CWT’s current budget does not In addition to voting for a assessment, in order to accumulate contain suffi cient revenue to fund higher assessment, CWT’s members the additional fi nancial resources additional herd retirement rounds, also modifi ed several other of the necessary to address the surge in U.S. Kozak said. Th e higher assessment, to program’s features. milk production that is beginning to be collected starting in July, will bring First, the regional safeguard depress farm-level prices. Th e higher in the additional money needed over levels in the Northeast, Southeast assessment will begin on July 1st, 18 months to continue both the herd and Midwest were raised to ¾ of 2006, and run through 2007. retirement program, and the ongoing one percent of each region’s annual “We’ve demonstrated in the export assistance program. milk production, up from ½ of one past three years that CWT can help “We’ve seen increased growth in percent. Second, Whole Milk Powder dairy farmers address a supply and milk output recently, with both overall was added to the list of dairy products demand imbalance, but we need cow numbers, and milk production eligible for export using CWT more leverage as we look ahead into per cow, reaching signifi cant levels,” bonuses. Additionally, Mexico, a 2006 and 2007,” said Jerry Kozak, Kozak said. major market for WMP, was added President and CEO of the National “Th e additional nickel gives us to the list of eligible destinations for Milk Producers Federation, which more money to address the supply that specifi c product. manages CWT. Milk production situation that is threatening farmers’ Th ird, the target price for cheese was up 3.5% last year, he noted, prices,” he said. under the export assistance program and continues to grow rapidly in Kozak said that once the new was moved from $1.40 per pound, to 2006. Kozak said that the farmer- assessment begins, he expects the $1.30. Th e target butter price remains funded self-help program “risks being level of overall participation in CWT at $1.30 per pound. MILC SIGNUPS UNDERWAY ignups for the MILC program the program was operated previously, the diff erence between the announced began last month at county producers can select a diff erent start Class I mover and $13.69/cwt). Th e Sand state USDA/Farm Service month for fi scal year 2007 (October 1, last time around, the payout rate Agency offi ces. Th ere are essentially two 2006 through September 30, 2007) so was equal to 45% of the diff erence. signup periods. For the initial period, long as they indicate their preference So far, payment equal: $0.05/cwt producers will have the opportunity to before the 14th of the preceding for December, $0.11/cwt for both pick a “start month” for payments that month. If the producer does not make January and February, $0.41/cwt for can be retroactive to December 2005. a new selection, however, the start March and $0.84/cwt for April. After May 17, retroactive payments month will remain the same for both With cheese prices still languishing will not be available. Producers signing 2006 and 2007. and whey prices declining, it is possible up after May 17--the “extended phase” More details are available from FSA that the Class I mover will be lower according to USDA/FSA--will be and on a MILC fact sheet at http:// yet for May (and the MILC payout available to chose any start month for www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/ rate higher). Th e May mover will be payments for the balance of fi scal year facts/htm. calculated using USDA/NASS survey 2006 (that is, through September) MILC payments will be calculated data collected for the weeks ending providing they notify FSA before the using a new formula that takes 34% April 8 and 15 with announcement 14th of the preceding month. And in of the diff erence between the Boston slated for Friday, April 21. a departure from the way in which Class I milk price and $16.94/cwt (or page 10 SWISS VALLEY FARMS DAIRYMAN Are your udder towels clean

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4&37*$&4 COLORFUL NEW TSHIRTS FOR SPRING!

Junior T-Shirts in Two-Tone Blue with capped sleeves. Great for the young ladies. Blue Denim Long Sleeve Shirts look great These ladies sizes run VERY small. anytime. Logo embroidered left front pocket. S – XL = $9 2XL = $10 Adult 3XL =$22 2XL= $20 XL, L, M, S = $18 Light Yellow T-Shirts with SVF logo. Sage Green Golf Shirts Still Available. Logo S – XL = $7.50 embroidered left front. Red T-Shirts with SVF logo. Price: Adult 3XL, 2XL $25 S $22 S – XL = $7.50 2XL & 3XL = $8.50 “Swiss Valley Sunrise” note cards featuring the Bonnie Mohr print: 10 cards in a pack. Great for “Thank with SVF name across front and Brown T-Shirts you’s” and invitations. small cow logo on back below neckline “Better Cows. Price: 2 packs for $5 Better Milk”. Darker brown cuff s and neck binding. S – XL $9 2XL – 3XL = $10 SVF blue ceramic campfi re soup mugs Price: 2 mugs for $5 Light Blue Golf Shirts. Stripes on cuff s and color. Embroidered logo. Blue and white oven mitts Reach up to the elbow. Price: $3 M – XL = $17 2XL = $19 3XL =$20 Royal Blue Padded Portfolio with SVF logo embossed on the top. Price: $4 ITEM QTY SIZE PRICE TOTAL White Plastic Cheese Cutting Board with SVF logo embossed on the top. Price: $3 Two-Tone Blue Yellow White Plastic Cheese Wire with two cutting sizes. SVF logo on the handle. Price: $2 Red Brown SVF Stocking Cap warm, knit stocking caps, navy blue with red stripes & SVF name woven into cuff . Light Blue Golf Price: $5 Sage Golf Denim Barbeque Tool Set large metal spatula, fork and Bonnie tongs in gift box. Price: $5 Notecards Soup Mugs Purchase Amount Add (set of 4) Up to $20 $5 $20.01 to $40 $7 Cutting Board Shipping $40.01 to $60 $8 Wire cheese $60.01 to $80 $9 Charges Over $80 $10 cutters Portfolio SEND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: Oven Mitts Swiss Valley Farms, Sales Items TOTAL AMOUNT ORDERED P.O. Box 4493, Davenport, IA 52808 ADD SHIPPING CHARGES All prices include tax. Allow 3 weeks for delivery. TOTAL AMOUNT DUE TRUCKS FOR SALE

lace your order now to receive the new collectible Swiss Val- Pley Farms die-cast model. Th ese die-cast models are available through First Gear, located in Peosta, Iowa. First Gear is a leading supplier of high quality die-cast models to col- lectors throughout the world. Th ese semi-trailers are the double units and have working doors on the 2 units, $9.75 ees. Th e price is signifi cantly below cab and trailers. Th e reproduction of 3 units, $10.25 the normal retail price for a die-cast the Swiss Valley Farms truck graphics 4 units, $10.55 model of this style and quality. is outstanding. Please quote the stock number 60- To place an order, call First Gear Price per unit is $34.99 plus ship- 0015M when ordering the semi-trail- direct at either one of the following ping and handling, which is charged ers to ensure you receive the special phone numbers: as lited below: pricing that is being off ered to Swiss 1-888-771-5576 1 unit, $9.25 Valley Farms members and employ- 563-582-2071 Swiss Valley Farms CLASSIFIED ADS Welcomes New Members This classifi ed section is a free service to Swiss Valley Farms members. Members are invited to use this service to sell unwanted Smith Farms items or search for needed items. Knoxville, Iowa The deadlline for ads is the 15th of the month preceding the Owen Breitkreutz month of the publication. Please clearly print your ads and mail it to: Neosho, Wisconsin Free Want Ads, Swiss Valley Farms, P.O. Box 4493, Davenport, John Hoge IA 52808. Whitewater, Wisconsin WANTED: Ryan Berens 1,000 gallon bulk tank. Call Larry Svendsen at 563.532.9665. Lake Geneva, Wisconsin FOR SALE: Michael Puhl A two-year-old Jersey bull for sale. A “Legion” out of the well known Monroe, Wisconsin E-90% “Golden Honey” cow. Call Bohnerts Jerseys, 309.781.4416.

APRIL 2006 page 13 TAKE A LOOK AT FIELD PERSONNEL & STATISTICS AT SWISS VALLEY FARMS, CO.

Field Department & Procurement Division Directory During the Month of February, these Swiss Valley Farms Mem- bers averaged below 100,000 for J. GORDON TOYNE V.P. FRED IMDIEKE MEMBERSHIP & PROCUREMENT their somatic cell count. LeClaire, IA 52753 Offi ce: 563.468.6644 36356 Roanoke Lane Home: 320.256.4932 Douglas Adams 87,000 Home: 563.289.3535 Melrose, MN 56352 Lorrie Adams 87,000 NANCY FEENEY MEMBER RELATIONS KARA KOOPMANN Paul Adams 87,000 Bettendorf, IA 52722 Offi ce: 563.468.6640 6142 Roller Coaster Rd. Plant: 563.563.7669 Darwin & Dulci Arends 93,000 Home: 563.359.9100 Epworth, IA 52045 Home: 563.876.3900 Owen Breitkreutz 85,000 James Busch 99,000 KAREN BOHNERT MEMBER RELATIONS ROGER LENIUS East Moline, IL 61244 Offi ce: 563.468.6641 319 9th St. Offi ce: 319.352.5463 George & Judy Cadden 58,000 Mobile: 563.320.2895 Waverly, IA 50677 Home: 319.352.5015 Mike Deaver 36,000 Richard Esser 98,000 TIM GENTHE LAB & SAFETY MANAGER KEN LEY Larry Gilbertson 95,000 803 S. School St. Offi ce: 563.583.7669 225 S. Clifton Plant: 608.348.3932 Andy Gingerich 73,000 Cuba City, WI 53807 Home: 608.744.3515 Livingston, WI 53554 Home: 608.943.6240 Paul & Donna 79,000 MARV THOMPSON LYNNE MELCHERT Hendel Farms 94,000 RAW MILK SALES & TRANSPORTATION James Henn 56,000 617 Monroe St. Offi ce: 608.366.1770 117 Culver Rd. N.E. Offi ce: 563.926.2363 Robert & Patricia Horst 90,000 Sparta, WI 54656 Home: 608.269.4850 Hopkinton, IA 52237 Home: 563.926.2794 Christa Jenson 65,000 Bernard Jorstad, 95,000 RON BRENNER FIELD SUPERVISOR JIM MURPHY 204 Goddard St. Offi ce: 608.366.1770 430 Linden Home: 563.422.5789 Koopmann Bros 99,000 LaCrosse, WI Home: 608.782.0012 West Union, IA 52175 Mobile: 563.380.0393 Gerald Kress 76,000 Neil Landt 92,000 THOMAS TEGELER FIELD SUPERVISOR MARK J. PINCH 1/2 Cheryl Meier 44,000 1320 1 St. S.W. Offi ce: 563.583.7669 298 Rundell Rd. Home: 608.943.6039 Mike Meier 44,000 Dyersville, IA 52040 Home: 563.875.2059 Livingston, WI 53554 Plant: 563.583.7669 Meyer Farms Dairy LLC 93,000 DOUGLAS ANDERSON JIM SCHMITZ James & Darlene Payne 91,000 451 Clayton Ave. W Home: 715.948.2183 202 Bechner St. Offi ce: 563.925.2321 Per K Peterson, 79,000 Clayton, WI 54004 Greeley, IA 52050 Home: 563.925.2015 Gary Przybylski 80,000 David & Linda Rego 96,000 RANDY HEISEL CHERYL ZABLOCKIWAGNER 259 E. Lakeview Dr. Home: 608.625.2045 W1919 Hofa Park Dr Offi ce: 920.822.2933 Kenneth & Marlus Schmitz 72,000 LaFarge, WI 54639 Seymour, WI 54165 Home: 920.822.2887 Philip Schneider 93,000 Craig Schroeder 79,000 MIKE HOWALD BOB ZIELSDORF Matthew Scott 79,000 7105 N. Freeport Rd Home: 815.938.2651 309 North Street Offi ce: 608.366.1770 Walter Selke 88,000 Forreston, IL FAX: 815.938.9151 Sparta, WI 54656 Home: 608.269.5452 William Selke 88,000 Calvin Stark 91,000 Somatic Cell Range % of A Farms Somatic Cell Range % of B Farms Titus Stauff er 91,000 0 - 100,000...... 5 % 0 - 100,000...... 2% Larry & Liane Thompson 83,000 100,001 - 200,000...... 20 % 100,001 - 200,000...... 15% Bruce Vander Wal 77,000 200,001 - 300,000...... 27 % 200,001 - 300,000...... 13% Steven & Sherry Vlasak 81,000 300,001 - 400,000...... 19 % 300,001 - 400,000...... 13% Joel & Jan Wormley 70,000 400,001 - 500,000...... 14 % 400,001 - 500,000...... 15% Leighton Yoder 62,000 500,001 and above...... 15 % 500,001 and above...... 42%

page 14 SWISS VALLEY FARMS DAIRYMAN WHILE YOU WERE FARMING February 2006 Board Minutes

he regular Board of Direc- • Th e Board approved to donate ed on the MDA meeting. tors meeting of Swiss Valley $100 to the Scott County Family Y’s • Randy Schaefer, Blue Grass, IA TFarms, Co. was held February Partner campaign. and Peterson reported on the NMPF 28, 2006 at the Dubuque Fluid Milk • Th e Board approved manage- conclave meeting. Plant Board Room in Dubuque, IA. ment to donate to Special Olympics Upon motion and second, the President Donald Peterson, Cashton, in Scott County. meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. WI, called the meeting to order at • Directors concerns and com- Respectfully submitted by Pam 10:45 a.m. All Board members were ments were addressed by Toyne. Bolin present except Dale Humpal, Ridge- • Th e Management and Financial way, IA and Francis Leibfried, Cuba reports were presented by Boelens City, WI. Th e Co-CEO Team of J. and approved. Rapid Milk Test Gordon Toyne and Donald Boelens • Toyne reported on the compara- Results also were present. tive milk report. Member who would like to get Th e following business was trans- • Th e Executive Session was their milk test results can call our acted: opened and closed. toll free number: Director Loyde Beers, Eastman, • Th e Board approved the capital WI, opened the meeting with the in- budget through February 28, 2006. 800.397.7669 vocation. • Th e Board approved the signa- Our Dubuque offi ce is staff ed • Th e minutes of the January 25, tures for certifi cate of incumbency with real people (no recordings) 2006 Board of Directors meeting and certifi cate of corporate authen- on Monday through Friday 7:30 were read and approved as read. ticity. a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday • Toyne addressed communica- • Toyne reported on CMPC. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. tions to the Board. • G. Joe Lyon, Toledo, IA report- Swiss Valley Farms, Co Antibiotic Program Eff ective March 15, 2004

Antibiotic Policy All claims must be received by the corporate offi ce for payment no later than 60 days after the milk was If a member suspects antibiotics in his or her bulk dumped. tank & calls a SWISS VALLEY FARMS fi eld representa- The earliest dated claim turned in will be paid at tive to report this before dumping the milk: 80% payment. 1st time in a calendar year, the coop will pay If antibiotics are found to be present in a farm 80% of the milk. truckload as a result of a screening test, the member 2nd & 3rd times in a calendar year, the coop will NOT be paid for that shipment of milk, and will be will pay 50% of the milk. assessed as follows: Over 3 times in a calendar year, the coop will pay zero. Full cost of net load On the 1st off ense, if a member has purchased plus the cost of disposal. a test kit and detects the positive antibiotic milk, SWISS VALLEY FARMS, CO. will reimburse that mem- Net load = total pounds on the load minus the mem- ber $75.00 toward the cost of the test kit. ber’s pounds.

APRIL 2006 page 15 Scholarship money AVAILABLE TO COOP MEMBERS

ood news for college-bound Swiss Valley Farms Co. member at the time of submitting the scholarship members! application and when the cash awards are made. GSwiss Valley Farms is again off ering four Any high school graduate or any 2006 college student agriculture scholarships in addition to one scholarship for who meets the qualifi cations is eligible to apply for a a non-ag major. scholarship. However, is you have won a Swiss Valley Co-op members who are studying agriculture-related Farms scholarship in the past, you are ineligible to win majors can now compete for four scholarships . . . two another. for $1,000 and two for $500. Th ese four scholarships are Th e applicant must be enrolled full-time in an accredited designed to promote the study of agriculture beyond the university, college or vocational-technical institution for a high school level. Th ere is also off ered a $500 scholarship degree program or short-course program. for students studying in any fi eld. To get an application, contact Donna Metcalf at To be eligible for any of these scholarships, an 563.468.6600 or simply ask the Swiss Valley Farms, Co. applicant must be a co-op member or a son or daughter phone receptionist for an application. Applications also of a co-op member, or the manager or operator of a farm may be downloaded from www.swissvalley.com in the for a Swiss Valley Farms, Co. member, or a student whose “News” section. All applications must be mailed back to family manages or operates a farm for a Swiss Valley Farms, Swiss Valley Farms, Co. by July 14th, 2006.

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