Dan Siemers
 

Newton, Wisc.

Dairying with 2,700 cows, Siemers Holsteins has been operating at the same site for more than 120 years. 

*Extended comments highlighted in blue.

It’s an interesting world with regard to consumer demand and trying to keep producing what the world wants. Who saw the huge foreign demand building for our dairy proteins or domestically for the Greek yogurt craze?

It’s in these types of markets that our traditional "make allowances" run into trouble. We need a system that rewards processors for producing what is needed rather than what is easiest, so that we can continue to serve an ever-shifting global landscape.

It’s a great time to be a dairy producer, as people all over the world want to eat better and as incomes increase in developing countries. The first thing that usually happens is that diets improve, usually led by an increase in animal protein.

Domestically, we constantly hear how fluid milk demand is slowing, but I don’t think our advertising is to blame for this. It just seems like the consumer is speaking, and he/she would rather eat cheese or yogurt.

I personally feel that our 15¢/cwt. contribution toward marketing is money well spent. I am also happy to see that the Cooperatives Working Together program is back to help export more product, and I encourage those of you not contributing to please do so!

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