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Volume 26, No. 21
Deals!
December 21, 2024
“All dairy, all the time”™
A path From cows to cafeterias Ten Finns Creamery to virus supplies milk to schools elimination By Sarah Middendorf sarah.m@star-pub.com
USDA implements National Milk Testing Strategy By Danielle Nauman danielle.n@dairystar.com
In a continued effort to battle highly pathogenic avian inuenza H5N1 in U.S. dairy herds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new federal order Dec. 6 — the National Milk Testing Strategy — that will grow surveillance efforts in an attempt to eradicate the virus. As of Dec. 18, a total of 865 dairies in 16 states have had conrmed cases of H5N1 B3.13 strain of HPAI that has been affecting U.S. dairy farms since March. Nevada became the 16th state to conrm a case Dec. 6. California continues to experience the highest level of infection with 649 affected dairy farms, 313 of which have been conrmed in the past 30 days. A new case of H5N1 was reported in Texas Dec. 13, bringing the state’s total caseload to 27 dairies since March. In a webinar Dec. 10 aimed at educating producers about the recently released federal order, Dr. Julie Gauthier, executive director of veterinary services eld operations at USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, explained the NMTS. “It is a very efcient way to screen a large number of herds using infrastructure that is already out there, with samplers collecting on a regular basis,” Gauthier said. “This will give us a quick snapshot of large numbers of herds, by focusing on milk at the processing facility. The test is extremely sensitive — we can identify a single infected cow contributing milk to a silo that might contain the milk of over 70,000 cows.” Using the NMTS, the USDA will work with state regulatory agencies to collect samples in the 48 contiguous states. “(They) are already sampling Grade A milk on a regular basis — at least four times every six months,” Turn to HPAI | Page 6
MENAHGA, Minn. — After an unplanned conversation and some hard work, Joel and Amanda Hendrickson have their Ten Finns Creamery milk on the menu at 10 local schools for the 2024-2025 school year. “When you walk through the school you will notice that you see a lot of Ten Finns hoodies,” said Jay Kjos, Menahga Public Schools superintendent. “There is a lot of pride in the local people doing well.” The Hendricksons milk around 145 cows and farm 440 acres with the help of their 13 children. They also own and operate an on-farm creamery — Ten Finns Creamery — where they process milk from the herd and bottle it in halfgallon and 8-ounce cartons. Hendrickson said 30%-35% of their milk goes to schools and grocery stores. Turn to TEN FINNS | Page 2
PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE
Amanda and Joel Hendrickson hold cartons of milk Dec. 9 at Ten Finns Creamery near Menahga, Minnesota. Joel Hendrickson said 30%-35% of their milk goes to schools and stores.
An early Christmas Surprise Dupont wins Dairy Star’s heifer giveaway Emily Breth
emily.b@star-pub.com
DAN WACKER/DAIRY STAR
Gracie and Josh Dupont stand Dec. 18 near the calf Gracie won in the Dairy Star’s Great Christmas Giveaway on their farm near Sherrill, Iowa. The Duponts milk 150 cows.
SHERRILL, Iowa — On Christmas Day, Olmar Rocket Surprise will turn 3-months-old at her new home with 3-year-old Gracie Dupont, the youngest of three kids. Gracie is the winner of this year’s Dairy Star’s Great Christmas Giveaway. “She’s excited,” said Josh Dupont who is Gracie’s dad. “She is only 3 though, so she doesn’t exactly understand everything that is going on.” Surprise’s dam is Olmar Helix Sansi, who comes from a line of Excellent and Very Good dams going back 11 generations. Surprise is sired by Terra-Linda Rocket-ET. Gracie is the daughter of Josh and Ashley, who farm with Josh’s parents, Mark and Cathy. Mark was the one who registered all the kids — Brayden, Bryce and Gracie — for the heifer giveaway. Turn to CALF GIVEAWAY | Page 7