Milk Money - a team-based program
for improving milk quality and profitability on Wisconsin Dairies

The New Year at Milk Money

Milk Money Staff

Pam Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, Extension Milk Quality Specialist at the University of Wisconsin, is the Project Director of the Milk Money Team. Through her efforts and working relationship with the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Milk Money was piloted as a team-based program to assist producers in increasing the quality of they milk they produce.To date, over 400 farms have participated in the Milk Money team process. Improvement in milk quality on these dairies has resulted in an average increase of $1,033/month in quality premiums returned to the farm. Dr. Ruegg's 2007 Milk Money Resolution: More teams, more milk, less somatic cells and more MILK MONEY for Wisconsin dairy producers!

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Eileen Nelson came to Milk Money in November, 2006, in the role of Outreach Specialist. Characterized as the gatekeeper for Milk Money she serves as the primary communication point for producers, agribusiness professionals and other Milk Money team participants. Coordinating support services for Milk Money teams, developing and maintaining recruitment and marketing materials, working with the "World's Best Milk Quality Web site" and overseeing this E-Newsletter fall into her realm also. If you aren't sure who to contact, start with her. Eileen's 2007 Milk Money Resolution: Provide education to our dairy partners through an informative and interesting electronic newsletter.

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David Rhoda, DVM, is Milk Money's Outreach Veterinarian. His responsibilities include providing leadership in continued program development and in the testing and analyzing of program materials. Dr. Rhoda works with veterinarians throughout the state encouraging participation on Milk Money teams. He offers technical support to teams, conducts farm visits as requested and contributes to the "World's Best Milk Quality Web site." Dr. Rhoda's 2007 Milk Money Resolution: Accomplish a Mastitis Herd Plan on most of our Milk Money Teams.

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Ken Bolton is Milk Money's Extension Team Coach. As such he coordinates communication with extension agents, offering technical support, identifying or serving as team facilitator in counties without agent resources and visiting dairies for milking time observations when appropriate. Ken's 2007 Milk Money Resolution: Increase the understanding of team facilitation so producer goals may be addressed and realized.

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Carol Hulland is the Milk Quality and Milk Money Team Lab supervisor. It is her responsibility to make sure that all submitted milk samples are analyzed and the appropriate information is provided to the Milk Money Teams. Carol's 2007 Milk Money Resolution: Continue to educate Wisconsin producers on the importance of bulk tank analysis.

Refer others to the MilkMoney process. Have them E-mail for additional information.