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The Dairy First Award

2023 Dairy First award logo

Recognizing Producers Who Put Dairy First

It’s no small task to keep a dairy herd healthy and productive — and we want to recognize producers whose practices give a shining example of commitment to putting dairy first. Each year, producers across the country are nominated for their excellent management and milk quality practices, as well as an overall commitment to the well-being of their dairy cows through the Dairy First Award. 

Recognizing Producers Who Put Dairy First

It’s no small task to keep a dairy herd healthy and productive — and we want to recognize producers whose practices give a shining example of commitment to putting dairy first. Each year, producers across the country are nominated for their excellent management and milk quality practices, as well as an overall commitment to the well-being of their dairy cows through the Dairy First Award. 

2023 Dairy First award logo
Dairy First award winner, Tom Wegner.

Congratulations, 2023 Dairy First Award Winner — Tom Wegner!

Tom Wegner of Wegnerlann Dairy, LLC in Ettrick, Wisconsin, stood out in 2023 as the dairy producer most deserving of recognition for his ongoing care and commitment to milk quality and herd well-being. Wegner prioritizes cow comfort with top-notch milking protocols, somatic cell count management, team communications, biannual employee training, and activity collars. His devotion to caring for his cows is evident to everyone who visits Wegnerlann. 

Congratulations, 2023 Dairy First Award Winner — Tom Wegner!

Tom Wegner of Wegnerlann Dairy, LLC in Ettrick, Wisconsin, stood out in 2023 as the dairy producer most deserving of recognition for his ongoing care and commitment to milk quality and herd well-being. Wegner prioritizes cow comfort with top-notch milking protocols, somatic cell count management, team communications, biannual employee training, and activity collars. His devotion to caring for his cows is evident to everyone who visits Wegnerlann. 

Dairy First award winner, Tom Wegner.
Tom Wegner's dairy farm


Wegner recently implemented AI activity collars in his herd to help pinpoint low activity cows, letting him focus his attention on cows that need him while minimizing unnecessary handling. The team works to give the cows a comfortable environment with groomed sand-bedded stalls, sprinklers and fans to keep the herd cool and content. 


Wegner recently implemented AI activity collars in his herd to help pinpoint low activity cows, letting him focus his attention on cows that need him while minimizing unnecessary handling. The team works to give the cows a comfortable environment with groomed sand-bedded stalls, sprinklers and fans to keep the herd cool and content. 

Tom Wegner's dairy farm
Tom Wegner walking by cattle in stalls
Tom Wegner walking by cattle in stalls


There is satisfaction in keeping the cows healthy, having them milk well, and being able to say ‘I did that.'

- Tom Wegner
Jake Peissig

2022 Dairy First Award Winner

Jake Peissig, MTP Farms, Dorchester, Wisconsin 

 

Jake Peissig received the inaugural Dairy First award in 2022 in recognition for his best-in-class animal welfare and milk quality practices. Peissig implemented selective dry cow therapy, culture-based mastitis treatment protocols, vaccination, and rumination and activity collars to ensure his herd receives the best care. 

2022 Dairy First Award Winner

Jake Peissig, MTP Farms, Dorchester, Wisconsin 

 

Jake Peissig received the inaugural Dairy First award in 2022 in recognition for his best-in-class animal welfare and milk quality practices. Peissig implemented selective dry cow therapy, culture-based mastitis treatment protocols, vaccination, and rumination and activity collars to ensure his herd receives the best care. 

Jake Peissig
Farm workers in a cattle factory

Improve Milk Quality and Productivity with Mastitis Management

Mastitis prevention and treatment is critical to overall cow welfare, dairy productivity and milk quality. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to arming producers with management practices, mastitis prevention and treatment products to help their dairy cows stay healthy. 

Learn More

Improve Milk Quality and Productivity with Mastitis Management

Mastitis prevention and treatment is critical to overall cow welfare, dairy productivity and milk quality. Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to arming producers with management practices, mastitis prevention and treatment products to help their dairy cows stay healthy. 

Learn More
Farm workers in a cattle factory

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