Dairy BOAH suspended the permit of a manufacturing-grade dairy in Shipshewana in December, following the discovery of contaminated milk at a northern Indiana cheese processor. Approximately 35,000 pounds of finished cheese were held from distribution after employees noticed a strong chemical flavor and odor resembling pine cleaner. As a result, the dairy s permit was suspended until a compliance agreement, specifying tighter controls and increased farm inspection, was reached with the herdowner. A new receiving station and bulk milk pasteurization facility began operation in Union City in December. Heartland Producers handles raw milk from Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, selling bulk primarily to Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream in Huntington.
Plans call for a condensing and drying operation to produce powdered milk in the coming months.
South Dakota has one infected bison herd. Indiana felt the heat of a tuberculosis threat recently, after 56 bulls were traced to an infected herd in Texas. All were shipped to slaughter. All females housed near the bulls have been tested without any positive results in Indiana. All 4-Hers who request sheep project materials will be provided with information on ringworm.