Commodities

The St. Albans board of directors will become part of DFA’s Northeast Area Council. Pic: Getty/Georgy Rozov / EyeEm

DFA closes merger with St. Albans Co-op

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) started the process of merging with the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery in June; the deal closes this week.

“The details we announced today ensure farmers will not stand alone in facing unjustified retaliatory tariffs.

USDA releases new farm aid details

By Beth Newhart

A $16bn aid package for US farmers was first announced in May. Last week Secretary Sonny Perdue gave more details about how and when the funding will be divided up.

Grupo Lala has been setting its sights on more premium products, like Promised Land's high-protein and high-calcium milk.

Grupo Lala’s Q2 shows growth in US premium products

By Beth Newhart

Mexican dairy producer Grupo Lala's 2019 second quarter sales netted 14,467m pesos ($758m) in Mexico, a 3.9% increase from Q2 2018. The company cited “innovation and an improved mix” of its ‘value-added dairy’ offerings as reason for the jump.

The merger created 35 local jobs and the dairy will house nearly 4,500 cows.

Ohio dairy partnership will supply Danone

By Beth Newhart

McCarty Family Farms and VanTilburg Farms have teamed up to open a new dairy in Mercer County, Ohio, which will supply milk to Danone North America.

DFA chose its accelerator startups based on innovation potential and

DFA wraps up accelerator and merger deal

By Beth Newhart

In late June the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) started a merger with St. Albans Cooperative Creamery. It also held the Demo Day for six agriculture and dairy startups in its third annual accelerator.

Saputo has made five acquisitions in the last 13 months, bumping up its revenue. Pic: Getty/haurashko_ksu

Saputo’s annual revenue jumps 17% after three acquisitions

By Beth Newhart

Saputo Inc. reported its latest fourth quarter and fiscal year results, ending March 31. It completed a series of acquisitions last year that contributed to higher revenue, while low cheese prices and struggles with the Canadian dollar hurt overall earnings.

Edge believes the aid will provide only partial and short-term relief for farmers. Pic: Getty/Annimei

USDA authorizes $16bn aid package for US farmers

By Beth Newhart

US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced ‘several actions’ to help farmers in the wake of the recent trade war with China, including $16bn in aid.

Overall, global milk supply growth will likely remain flat through 2020. Pic: Getty/Tim Allen

US milk production drops in the midwest

By Beth Newhart

In the first quarter of 2019, US dairy production and exports were down compared to Q1 2018, particularly in the midwestern states. Globally, dairy is still dominated by a few key players and facing challenges from African Swine Fever.

Kroger intends to use the after-tax cash proceeds to reduce its debt. Pic: Getty/martinrlee

Kroger completes Turkey Hill sale

By Beth Newhart

After announcing that it may drop its flagship dairy brand last August, Kroger sold Turkey Hill to Peak Rock Capital earlier this year. The agreement was completed this week for $215m.

The wind industry is expected to deliver more than $85bn in economic activity by 2020.

General Mills signs 15-year deal for wind energy

By Beth Newhart

Food giant General Mills is making a commitment to sustainability and clean power by covering the electricity at its US facilities with renewable wind energy. It has signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Roaring Fork Wind, LLC.

The DBA met in Madison to discuss the future of Wisconsin's dairy community. Pic: Getty/Sean Pavone

DBA announces legislative and budget priorities in Wisconsin

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Business Association (DBA), an organization of the Wisconsin dairy community, outlined its legislative and budget priorities for 2019-2020 at a Dairy Day this month, taking place at the Capitol in Madison.

Global economic growth is looking gloomy and the US could see a recession next year. Pic: Getty/nanoqfu

Global milk supply growth has stalled in 2019

By Beth Newhart

The first quarter of the year is coming to a close, and Rabobank has released Q1 2019 numbers from its Dairy Quarterly report. The world’s largest exporters of dairy have stalled in year-over-year milk supply growth, but the US is experiencing a mixed...

Dairy concerned by Trump Mexican border closure threats

By Beth Newhart

Last week President Donald Trump announced plans to close the southern US border, effectively ending trade with Mexico. He has since changed his mind and now given Mexico ‘a one-year warning’ with further threats of tariffs.

The Kerrygold Butter is now the number two butter brand in the US, with 2.6m packets sold every week. Pic: Ornua

Ornua notches a €40m operating profit in 2018

By Beth Newhart

Ornua, producer of the Kerrygold brand, released its full-year 2018 results that showcased a strong performance in its key European and US markets. It also broke ground on a cheese facility in Spain and prepared for potential fallout from the Brexit deal....

Kroger has recently put new emphasis on its ecommerce platform by launching Kroger Ship last summer.

Peak Rock acquires Turkey Hill Dairy from Kroger

By Beth Newhart

Peak Rock Capital has signed an agreement to acquire the Turkey Hill Dairy business from The Kroger Co., known for ice cream, refrigerated drinks and other dairy products. It marks Peak Rock’s eighth current investment in the food and beverage industry.

Dean Foods is looking into several options to position the brand for the long term, despite poor 2018 numbers.

Bernstein drops Dean Foods after poor 2018 performance

By Beth Newhart

After a disappointing 2018 for Dean Foods, it revealed last month that it was considering a sale. Investment management firm Bernstein has announced that it is “discontinuing coverage of Dean Foods (DF) due to the stock's diminished market cap and...

Gottlieb's resignation comes just two months after he denied rumors he planned to leave the FDA. Pic: WikimediaCommons

Gottlieb resigns from FDA, dairy projects in the balance

By Beth Newhart

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb signed a resignation letter Tuesday with intent to leave the role in one month. He has served as Commissioner for nearly two years and been pivotal in the recent plant ‘milk’ vs. dairy...

Grupo Lala's profits as reported were up by 13.4% compared to 2017, and milk remained the top-earning segment of the business.

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze products are coming to Mexico

By Beth Newhart

Grupo Lala announced this week that it reached a deal with Blue Diamond Growers to distribute Blue Diamond Almond Breeze almond beverages in Mexico. It also released fourth-quarter and full-year financial reports from 2018.

Dean Foods plans to invest in its core capabilities, technology, infrastructure, people and systems.

Sharp loss in profit forces Dean Foods to consider sale

By Beth Newhart

A disappointing fourth quarter for Dean Foods rounded out an under-performing 2018, causing the dairy giant to explore alternatives in its ‘business transformation.’ It is considering a joint venture, business combination or even a sale.

Glanbia has acquired Watson, a US non-dairy ingredient solutions business.

Glanbia finalizes acquisitions, wraps up 2018

By Beth Newhart

Glanbia plc released its 2018 financials this week, revealing growing profits on the back of a few high-profile acquisitions. The nutritional ingredients and dairy business is dipping into the non-dairy sector and reorganizing its board of directors in...

Arla Foods CEO Peder Tuborgh, Chairman Jan Toft Nørgaard and CFO Natalie Knight answer questions at the 2018 annual results press conference.

Arla pays out all 2018 profits to farmers

By Beth Newhart

In its 2018 wrap-up report, Arla Foods announced that it would pay out its full net profit for 2018 of €290m ($329m) to farmers. It also discussed the progress of in-house cost-savings program Calcium and pending sustainability efforts.

General Mills expects the plant closure to cost roughly $130m.

General Mills to shutter yogurt plant in California

By Beth Newhart

General Mills is focusing on ‘restructuring actions’ in its yogurt business and closing a facility in Carson, Calif. The company also reaffirmed its end-of-year financial targets at an investor conference in New York.

Governor of Washington Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency with more snow on the way. Pic: ©GettyImages/Kayla Teske

1,600 dairy cows are dead after Washington blizzard

By Beth Newhart

The Dairy Farmers of Washington (DFW) has reported that more than 1,600 cows perished during an unusually heavy snowstorm in the Yakima Valley region of Washington State. The significant loss further burdens an already-struggling industry.

Dairy equipment like this is available regularly at auctions, but not often in southern Florida. Pic: ©GettyImages/BrianAJackson

New Mill Capital hosts fluid milk jug plant auction in Florida

By Beth Newhart

Machinery from a high volume fluid milk jug plant in southern Florida is up for auction this week, including milk silos, homogenizers and processors. Auctioneers New Mill Capital will oversee the online sale, open to all global customers.

Cargill reports a 20% earnings loss in Q2

By Beth Newhart

Cargill took a hit in its second quarter with a 20% drop in net earnings compared to the year-ago period. It cited a ‘world of uncertainty’ affected by the struggling US dairy industry and lingering trade wars throughout 2018.

The sale is expected to boost Axéréal's global malt footprint.

Cargill sells malt business to Axéréal

By Beth Newhart

French grain cooperative Axéréal will acquire Cargill’s malt business under the Axéréal malt subsidiary Boortmalt, affecting 15 global facilities and more than 500 people.

Retail sales volumes of all key dairy categories have declined in the US since 2017, excluding natural cheese. Pic: ©GettyImages/sergeyryzhov

Tight margins and bad weather affected 2018 global milk production

By Beth Newhart

Rabobank has published its Dairy Q4 Quarterly report, which states the US saw just 1% growth in milk production in 2018, the lowest year-on-year (YOY) growth since 2013. Milk production was also down in the EU and Australia last year, but rose in New...

FrieslandCampina acquires second US company

By Beth Newhart

The Dutch Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., a global dairy brand, closes out a busy December with the announcement that it has acquired Best Cheese Corporation USA, importer and vendor of specialty cheeses. It’s the second US company it has picked up this...

“This bill is a strong start to addressing the issues our producers are facing right now, particularly our dairy farmers.

Pending farm bill has big implications for dairy

By Beth Newhart

The US is close to passing a landmark $867bn farm bill after months of negotiation and compromise. It has already passed the Senate and the House and is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump within the coming days.

Agropur will close its only plant that produces goat cheese next year. Pic: ©GettyImages/5PH

Agropur in talks with Quebec Goat Milk Producers

By Beth Newhart

Just two months after Agropur announced it will close its goat cheese-producing plant in Saint-Damase, it has engaged in discussions with Quebec Goat Milk Producers about an undisclosed deal.

The trade deal won't take immediate effect and must be ratified by each country's government. Pic: ©GettyImages/Bet_Noire

Dairy industry reacts to North American leaders signing USMCA deal

By Beth Newhart

After months of back-and-forth and a tumultuous summer of trade disputes between the US, Canada and Mexico, the three North American nations have officially signed the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), dismantling the previous North American Free Trade...

Dean Foods reveals disappointing Q3 with seven plant closures

By Beth Newhart

Dean Foods posted a loss of 28 cents per share, or $26.4m in its third quarter. It also closed and consolidated seven manufacturing facilities within six weeks, racking up ‘significant transitory costs’ that are expected to continue.

Noosa has tripled its sales, market share and local production capacity in the last four years.

Noosa yogurt acquired by Sovos Brands

By Beth Newhart

Australian-style yogurt brand Noosa is merging into Sovos Brands, a CPG collector with an Italian portfolio and financial backing from Advent International.

Saputo will take over 170 employees in the deal.

Saputo acquires F&A Dairy for $85m

By Beth Newhart

Saputo Inc. announced Friday that it will acquire F&A Dairy Products Inc. for $85m, including two manufacturing facilities and approximately 170 employees.

The ZIsk app updates every 10 minutes and features customized alerts.

Zisk app launched for dairy farmers

By Jim Cornall

The number of dairy operations in the US has been declining over the past 20 years; the state of Wisconsin alone has lost more than 2,200 dairy farms in the past five years.

Land O'Lakes has held minority equity in Iowa-based Agren since 2016. Pic: ©GettyImages/Sasiistock

Land O’Lakes acquires soil software company Agren

By Beth Newhart

Land O’Lakes Inc. has announced that it has acquired Agren Inc., a company that develops soil health and conservation planning software. It will become a part of Land O’Lakes SUSTAIN, a farmer-focused division of the dairy company.

The changes will be implemented in the coming months as system enhancements are completed. Pic: ©Getty Images/Free law

GDT Events make changes to encourage more supply

By Jim Cornall

The GDT (Global Dairy Trade) Events Oversight Board has approved two rule changes to encourage a wider range of sellers to offer dairy ingredients on the auction platform to expand the breadth of regional published prices.