2026 General Manager's Report

I would like to introduce myself, Daniel Sanchez, most of you know I was a field technician testing cows for 25 years. In 2023, I was promoted as a field supervisor, and in April 2025 I was appointed as general manager for SCDHIA. This year things have been up and down, but thankfully everything has been coming along pretty well.

The year 2024 ended on a note of promise for a better year in 2025. The bird flu was finally smearing off with everything normalizing in the dairy industry, until the heavy rainy days came by and prolonged fog that lasted for several weeks caused some Dairy test cancellations.

Southern Counties DHIA is a nonprofit Organization, governed by a board of directors elected from members. Where we make sure we provide management data that is accurate and useful to our dairy customers. We do this by monitoring and replacing equipment, adhering to the QC standards and retaining experienced staff as well as properly training new employees, which is essential to continue providing the level of service expected by our dairy members. Working together we strive for efficiency while maintaining accuracy of the service provided.

Our office computers have recently been replaced and updated to windows 11. In the lab, we currently operate three lines of instruments to provide analysis for milk components n 2025 we acquired a new Bentley FTS 600 Combi instrument which replaced one of our Foss instruments, this line has the latest updates for efficiency and accuracy. Timely maintenance is key to keeping the instruments performing at an optimum level, QC checks are performed at regular intervals throughout the day to ensure the accuracy of the results. As certified laboratory, we adhere to a comprehensive program that is reviewed by an outside auditor to verify compliance.

We are currently using the Dhi Dstream lab software to compile all data collected in the field with the analysis results from the lab. With the discontinued production of our current handheld computer, we have reached a point where it's necessary to update our software to a new operating platform. Our field technicians have started training in a new software called Weighin from Agritech, which is very similar to the one we currently use but with updated features and comparable with all android devices.

We always maintain an adequate milk meter parts inventory at our repair station to keep meters working properly, a calibration gets done on every single meter before they go out on to the field to ensure accuracy in their performance, as they are a key component to provide accurate information to our dairy customers. We also added 100 true test milk meters of 110 pound maximum reading, so far 80 meters have been received and will continue to order more on a bi-monthly basis.

Overall at Southern Counties DHIA we will continue to update our equipment and continue providing exceptional service to our customers. And hope for a better 2026 for the dairy industry and the members we serve.