Nominations for the 2020 Michigan State University Dairy Farmer of the Year Award are being accepted by the MSU Department of Animal Science.

The MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year Award is the highest honor bestowed by the animal science department to individuals in the dairy industry. It is presented annually to a dairy farmer to recognize the recipient's ongoing efforts at managing an outstanding dairy operation and strengthening the Michigan dairy industry and their surrounding communities.

Recipients are respected by their peers, neighbors and industry as outstanding herd managers and dairy leaders at the local, state or national levels.

Award nominees may be individuals, partnerships or multigeneration family partnerships. A team made up of faculty members and Extension educators selects the honoree on the basis of commitment to their operation and contributions to the dairy industry.

The 2020 award will be presented Feb. 7 at the Michigan Dairy Industry Awards Banquet at the Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference in Mount Pleasant. The winner’s portrait will be added to the display featuring previous winners at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.

Nomination forms for the MSU Dairy Farmer of the Year Award are available at the Dairy Farmer of the Year page of the MSU animal science website. The deadline to submit nominations is Nov. 1. Nominations can be submitted by producers, family members, professionals, agribusiness firms or other individuals.

The MSU Department of Animal Science has been recognizing outstanding Michigan dairy farmers since 1958.

Recent honorees include: Blaine and Kim Baker (2019); SwissLane Farms — Fred, Tom, Jeff, Tom Jr., and Matt Oesch and Annie Oesch Link (2018); Jim and Jack Winkel (2017); Hank Choate (2016); Mike Rasmussen (2015); Geert and Gertie van den Goor (2014); Bruce and Jennifer Lewis (2013); James Reid (2012); and the Crandalls — Larry, Gloria, Brad, Monica, Mark and Sara (2011).

Michigan’s dairy producers have grown the industry by 40% over the past 16 years and increased total milk production by 91%, making Michigan the sixth-leading dairy state. At the same time, Michigan has become known for producing high-quality milk.

Michigan State University works with Michigan dairy producers and professionals to solve problems and improve economic performance in sustainable ways. MSU AgBioResearch and Extension work with dairy producers and professionals daily throughout the state.

For information, email Richard Pursley at [email protected] or visit msue.msu.edu.

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