Lance Sommer of Berne, Indiana, was named the 2014 Indiana Outstanding Young Dairy Producer of the Year at the IDP annual meeting on March 13. Lance is 26 years old, and accepted the award along with his wife, Nan. Lance and Nan milk 200 Holstein cows, along with his parents, brother-in-law and cousin. They have recently installed 5 Lely Astronaut A4 robotic milking machines. In fact, the system went live the day before the presentation, and Lance was running on very little sleep. Lance is passionate about the dairy industry, and he tries to learn from others and research all he can to increase his knowledge. IDP is grateful for the good example he has set at his young age. His nominators were very impressed with the Sommer's dairy farm and Lance's many contributions to its success. The Indiana Young Dairy Producer of the Year is awarded to a dairy producer, 35 years of age or younger, who is actively involved in a successful dairy farm and shows promise as a leading dairy producer for this industry's bright future in Indiana. Past recipients were Lukas Hively (2007), Joe and Amy Kelsay (2008), Max and Carrie Jo Bollenbacher (2009), Nathan and Sarah Kuehnert (2010) Kerry and Christiana Estes (2011), Kelly MacKennon (2012) and Brian Houin (2013).
Watch a video of Lance and Nan Sommer and read more about them at Hoosier Ag Today. |
Mike Heckaman, owner of Argos Dairy in Argos, Indiana, was named the 2014 Indiana Outstanding Dairy Producer of the Year at the annual meeting of Indiana Dairy Producers (IDP). Mike, wife and partner, Jan, and daughter and son-in-law Carrie Jo and Max Bollenbacher, milk 600 Holsteins and 200 Jersey cows, and have experienced very high production and excellent quality due to their hard work and attention to detail. Argos Dairy is a member of Dairy Farmers of America cooperative. The Heckaman’s opened their farm during the 2013 Kentuckiana Dairy Exchange, where participants could see firsthand the excellent condition of their cows and their operation. Mike has been active in the Indiana Dairy Producer organization as a past board member and he currently serves on the NorthStar Cooperative Board of Directors. Mike’s commitment to producing excellent quality milk and improving genetic potential and production at his operation has earned him a place among the state’s top dairy producers, and IDP is proud to recognize his achievements. Mike joins Derek Herrema, Leontien Van de Laar, Brian Rexing, Dave Forgey, Doug Leman, Tom Neuenschwander and Fred Beer as past winners. Read about Mike and Jan Heckaman in Hoosier Ag Today and Farmers Exchange. |
