Six dairies garnered accolades from the National Mastitis Council for achieving ‘platinum’ in the group’s National Dairy Quality Awards program. One of these farms is in Wisconsin — congratulations to Larson Acres Inc. in Evansville.
In addition to the six platinum winners, there were 15 gold and 18 silver NDQA winners. These farms were selected from 66 nominations submitted for the 2023 awards. Farms were nominated by professionals, such as dairy plant field staff, veterinarians, extension specialists, and Dairy Herd Improvement supervisors, who serve the dairy industry.
See the Wisconsin winners:
Gold
- Jagiello Dairy Farm LLC, Lena
- Maly Farms, Bryant
- F.W. Rahn and Sons, Eden
- Theisen Family Farm LLC, Campbellsport
Silver
- Dinnerbell Farm, LLC, Eden
- Dorner Farms, Luxemburg
- S&L Goebel, Fond du Lac
- Michels Farm, Lomira
- Williamson Farms LLC, Seymour
NDQA judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications. In addition to milk quality indicators, such as somatic cell count and standard plate count, judges looked at specific details about each operation, including milking routine, cow comfort, udder health monitoring programs, prevention and treatment programs, strategies for overall herd health and welfare, and adherence to drug use and record keeping regulations.