Processing Equipment & Systems, Automation, Control

Milk Specialities vows to take new sustainability action

By Beth Newhart

Dairy protein ingredients company Milk Specialties Global has released its first corporate social responsibility report, outlining new tactics for how it will reduce its carbon footprint and recycle water.

Large scale operations in new areas are driving US milk production. Pic: Getty/Yauhen Akulich

Are Idaho and Texas the future of US dairy?

By Beth Newhart

More milk production is happening on fewer farms, and large-scale operations have expanded into non-traditional markets. Rabobank’s latest report on the changing US dairy landscape examines the biggest challenges.

“Everyone’s trying to crack the code--how do we get American dairy consumption to keep rising?

Wünder expands US quark options in a sparse market

By Beth Newhart

The curdled, cultured dairy product quark has a huge presence in Europe and Asia, but little to no competition in the US. For five years, Wünder Creamery has been trying to change that.

DBA ‘policy picnics’ bolster member engagement

DBA ‘policy picnics’ bolster member engagement

By Beth Newhart

This summer, the Dairy Business Association (DBA) has hosted ‘policy picnics’ in collaboration with the Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative. The member events brings together the dairy community during a time of economic stress.

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.

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.

Fair Oaks Farms is one of 30 farms that provide milk to fairlife.

Fairlife and Coca-Cola deal with Fair Oaks abuse fallout

By Beth Newhart

Last week, an undercover video surfaced showing severe calf abuse at Fair Oaks Farms. The Indiana-based farm supplies milk to ultrafiltered milk brand fairlife, which is a Coca-Cola Company partner. Several retailers have pulled the products from shelves...

Spray drying is used in dairy for producing dry powders, like milk powders, from a liquid. Pic: Getty/Paperkites

Caloris and NIZO to host US course on spray drying in June

By Beth Newhart

A course on spray drying operation will be offered for professionals this summer in Minneapolis by Caloris Engineering, Process Systems Enterprise Americas (PSE) and NIZO, the Food and Dairy Research Institute in the Netherlands.

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.

In FY 2018, General Mills completed more than 60 energy efficiency and reduction projects to save more than 12 million kWh. Pic: Getty/lovelyday12

General Mills hits its energy goals four years early

By Beth Newhart

The US Department of Energy (DOE) officially recognized General Mills, which has yogurt and ice cream as part of its portfolio, for achieving its target of 20% energy efficiency improvement in its largest US-based plants. In 2012 it was set as a 10-year...

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.

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.

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 manufacturers are struggling with production efficiency, unplanned machine downtime, maintaining quality, and environmental sustainability.

Processing dairy trends at ProFood Tech

By Beth Newhart

Production efficiency, automation innovation and CPG trends in dairy were all showcased at the ProFood Tech show in Chicago last week.

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.

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.

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.