Dairy Management Inc (DMI), which manages the US national research and marketing program, said its activities generated an additional 516 million additional milk-equivalent pounds during the year. The organisation also reported 8.6% growth in the yoghurt category and a 4.2% increase in value-added milk.
Funded by approximately 23,000 dairy farmers and importers, the programme is designed to drive dairy demand, strengthen consumer trust, expand global market opportunities and advance science and innovation.
Over the last year DMI highlighted its work with Taco Bell, where Checkoff product scientists supported dairy innovation across its menu and beverage platforms for items such as Churro Chillers and Dirty Sodas.
The report also pointed to the success of its “We Are Family” e-commerce campaign generated nearly $70 million in additional dairy sales over two years, including a 3.41% sales lift during the 2025 campaign.
Globally, US dairy exports reached $9.63 billion in 2025, a 15% increase from the previous year. DMI said strategic international partnerships helped generate approximately 1.5 billion additional milk-equivalent pounds of export volume while expanding opportunities for US dairy in established and emerging markets.
The report also detailed investments in nutrition research, sustainability and farmer engagement. More than 10,000 farmers and advisers have accessed the Dairy Conservation Navigator, while Making Every Drop Count content generated 17.4 million views in 2025, a 39% increase from 2024.
“Our responsibility is not only to put farmer and importer dollars to work strategically, but also to clearly communicate what that investment is delivering,” said Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and chair of DMI.
“This report helps connect those investments to results and demonstrates how the checkoff is working every day to build a stronger future for dairy.”
