By MELISSA HART
Michigan Correspondent

HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hardware was handed out to deserving dairy producers at the annual Hillsdale County Dairy Herd Improvement (DHIA) banquet, held recently on the campus of Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich.

The evening began with a meal followed by announcements and updates from the MSU Dairy Extension Agent, Ira Krupp, a 4-H summary was given by dairy leader Steve Denning and Mark Adam, head of Northstar DHI services was on-hand to speak of the successful year had by Northstar Cooperative and DHI Services.

Michigan Farm Bureau’s Deb Schmucker was the featured speaker emphasizing the importance of dairy producers telling their story to the consumer so they have a better understanding of how their milk is produced and where their food comes from. She implored the audience to speak up and get involved with consumer education. After the sponsors were recognized dairy producers took center stage DHI technicians, Jim Place, Julie Robinson and Elyse Wilcox handed out the awards.

Arnold and Mark Reister, of Pittsford were awarded the High Herd 2X award with a herd average of 26,085M 974 BF 840 P with a dollar value of $3412. This award was given by Crystal Flash.

The High Herd award was given to Bruce and Jennifer Lewis, of Jonesville, with a herd average of 29,352 pounds of milk, 1,046 pounds of butterfat and 828 pounds of protein. The award was sponsored by Greenstone Farm Credit.

The High Jersey Herd award was given to John and Delores Dunks, of Union City, with a herd average of 15,974 pounds of milk, 776 pounds of butterfat, 598 pounds of protein. The award was sponsored by Donna Baker and Associates.

The High Individual Cow went to Renee owned by Doug and Pete Poling, of Addison. She had an average of 36,802 pounds of milk and a dollar value of $4,808. The award was sponsored by Hawkesland Supply, of Litchfield.

The High Individual Cow 3X went to Cow #88 owned by Bruce and Jennifer Lewis, of Jonesville. She had an average of 41,793 pounds of milk and a dollar value of $4,875. This award was sponsored by Hillsdale Feed Co., of Hillsdale.

The High Jersey Cow award went to Carina owned by Susan Green, Camden with an average of 30,486 pounds of milk and a dollar value of $4,200. J&M Dairy Equipment sponsored the award.
The High Lifetime Cow went to Cow #510 owned by Pete and Doug Poling, of Addison. She had a lifetime production of 247,375 pounds of milk, 9,989 pounds of butterfat, 7526 pounds of protein and a dollar value of $32,295. Jonesville Hardware sponsored that award.

The milk quality award went to Bruce and Jennifer Lewis while the herd with the greatest increase over the past five years went to Pete and Doug Poling. The Outstanding Young Dairy Person Award went to Matt Mann of Camden, while the Community Service Award went to Carlton Evans, of Litchfield.