ST. PAUL, Minn. – State Agriculture Commissioner Thom Peterson recognized 114 dairy farms statewide for low somatic cell counts in their herds. Low counts are better for cheese and indicate higher quality milk, Peterson noted. These southeast Minnesota farms made the cut:
>Fillmore County: Shir-Man Holsteins, Thomas Holst, Trailside Holsteins.
> Houston County: Lester and Donna Banse, Dev-Lin Holstein, Hendal Farms, Houdek Dairy, Tim and Katy Keuse, Koch Dairy, Stan and Bev Meyer, Schulte Farms, Schroeder Brothers.
> Wabasha County: Tony and Matt Berktold, Dick Family Farm, Maron Holst, Bill Miller, Stacy, Julie, Melendy and Markus Miller, Maynard and Jeremiah Schumacher, Duane and Karen Timm, John Wolf and Sons.
> Winona County: Barkein Farms, Clear Crest Farms, D and D Dairy, D & L Johnson Dairy, Greden farms, Ketchum Farms, Kiefland Holsteins, Mundt Dairy, Nelson’s Organic Dairy, Terrance D. Peshon, Quarry Hill Dairy, Rolling Ridge Acres, Selke Farms, Valley Acres.