Dairy Health Check

Rabobank is lowering its 2020 US demand growth projections from 0.8% to 0.5%, as consumers quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pic: Getty/Chinnapong

The ripple effects of COVID-19: A look into global dairy

By Beth Newhart

Rabobank assesses how the ‘corona hangover’ will impact global dairy markets in its latest report. Demand in China is already starting to bounce back after its virus exposure seems to have peaked, while the US will suffer in the coming months as cases...

Clover Sonoma’s new packaging will be available on shelves this summer in its organic half gallon and quart milk cartons.

Clover Sonoma debuts fully renewable plant-based milk carton

By Beth Newhart

California-based dairy Clover Sonoma is making sustainability strides with the launch of a new milk carton made entirely from plant materials. It’s one of the first of its kind in the US and will hit shelves this summer.

Sproud has about half the sweetness of oat beverages and five-times the protein of soy and almond.

Swedish pea drinks make North American debut

By Beth Newhart

Following the worldwide success of oat drinks from Sweden, beverage company Sproud is looking to make peas the next big milk alternative protein source. After the postponement of Natural Products Expo West, it hits the North American market next month.

US dairy groups pressure Senate to act on labor reform

By Beth Newhart

After the House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) late last year, dairy organizations are reminding the Senate why they feel it’s crucial to the future of agriculture labor. Young farmers are also speaking out for essential...

Arla plans to expand the JÖRD brand with a range of plant-based products.

Arla enters plant-based sector

By Jim Cornall

Dairy cooperative Arla has entered the market for plant-based products, saying it is responding to meet consumer demand.

Fonterra's Danfield plant.

Coronavirus affecting Fonterra operations

By Jim Cornall

Fonterra Co-operative has reaffirmed its forecast Farmgate Milk Price range at NZ$7.00-7.60 (US$4.43-4.81) per kgMS and its forecast full-year underlying earnings guidance of 15-25 cents (US 9-16 cents) per share. It has also revised its forecast milk...

The Milkoscan FT3 can test samples including chocolate milk, drinking yogurt, WPC and more,

FOSS launches new dairy analyzer

By Jim Cornall

FOSS has launched MilkoScan FT3, a smart-enabled dairy analyzer for instant multi-parameter testing of a wide range of liquid and semi-solid dairy products at low cost and with consistency of results.

RABDF and the NFU both expressed concerns over the new immigration policy.

Dairy farmers group slams UK government immigration proposals

By Jim Cornall

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) is calling on the Government to amend its decision not to include dairy workers on the MAC shortage occupation list following the announcement of a new points-based immigration system.

“We are supporting dairy as it moves into a new era of data generation, management, integration, collaboration, and insight development that will improve efficiencies and increase profitability for producers.” Pic: SomaDetect

SomaDetect partners with Valley Agricultural Software

By Beth Newhart

Valley Agricultural Software’s (VAS) Software API will soon be integrated into SomaDetect’s data system. SomaDetect analyzes milk quality and herd health using light scattering technology.

A plant-based toddler formula and a cultured, lab-grown breastmilk are trending in US infant nutrition this week, Pic: Getty/kuppa_rock

Alternatives to traditional infant nutrition hit US market

By Beth Newhart

Market trends and unique consumer needs in infant nutrition have producers thinking outside the realms of tradition. New launches from Else Nutrition and Biomilq have recently hit the US, forming new categories.

Environmental challenges may lead to a new dependence on imported milk and products. Pic: Getty Images/Ram Tekale

US president to travel to Delhi later this month to reopen negotiations

Trump’s hopes of a trade deal with India may again be dashed

By Richard Whitehead

A feeling of victory among the Indian dairy industry has turned into one of tension as it anticipates a visit by the American president, who is expected to come armed with a new trade deal.

Hälsa called oats one of the most environmentally friendly ingredients for making plant-based milk, but the US does not currently produce oats that meet Hälsa's quality standards. Pic: Hälsa

Hälsa Foods to convert dairy farms for organic oats

By Beth Newhart

A new program from oat-based yogurt alternative brand Hälsa Foods will partner with dairy farms, and support them converting to farmlands for growing organic oats. It will be led by a team of Scandinavian farmers, researchers and environmental experts.

Dairy Dialog podcast 69: Algenuity, IDFA, Fructital

Dairy Dialog podcast 69: Algenuity, IDFA, Fructital

By Jim Cornall

On this week’s Dairy Dialog podcast, we chat to Tom Bailey, senior dairy analyst at Rabobank; Andrew Spicer, Ph.D. CEO of Algenuity; Stefania Bertone from Fructital, and Robert Chesler, executive director of global dairy & food groups at INTL FCStone.

“We have to disrupt our industry from within, or we’ll be disrupted from without.

DBA appeals to farmers of the future for industry disruption

By Beth Newhart

Some top priorities for US dairy farmers in 2020 are future planning, risk management and secure milk supplies. All were examined at the Dairy Business Association’s (DBA) Dairy Strong conference in Wisconsin in January.

The name PotonGuler comes from poton gula, Malay for “cut out the sugar.”

A condensed milk manufacturer in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur has designs on becoming a globally known brand

Stevia and none of the sugar for diabetics who like their tea sweet

By Richard Whitehead

It would normally be bold for a small family business from one of Asia’s less glittering pockets to set its sights on becoming a global name.

“Allowing non-dairy products to use dairy terms to promote goods with wildly different nutritional values has undermined public health.

US dairy groups press Congress on Dairy Pride Act

By Beth Newhart

Three years after its first introduction to the Senate, the divisive Dairy Pride Act is still on the minds of US dairy. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) made a case for stricter labeling guidelines while the FDA is stalled.

Häagen-Dazs installed a 6.5-mile flowering permanent hedgerow at its almond supplier's farm, creating a year-round habitat for pollinators and other types of wildlife.

Häagen-Dazs buzzing for helping bees

By Jim Cornall

Four Häagen-Dazs brand flavors in the US that depend on bees will display the Xerces Bee Better Certified seal, which indicates ingredients were sourced from almond farms that provide bee friendly habitats.

“We aren’t going to stop change, and we aren’t going to stop technology.

IDFA zeroes in on next-gen, and ‘making what we can sell’

By Beth Newhart

At the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Dairy Forum this week, president and CEO Michael Dykes spoke of the challenges facing US dairy, including product innovation, milk bankruptcies and setting the industry up for a sustainable future.

“Today we are finally ending the NAFTA nightmare.

USMCA signed into law by Trump

By Beth Newhart

The US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed the House in late 2019 and the Senate earlier this month. It replaces the previous North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Yorica is the first UK company to be recognized by Allergy UK's Allergy Aware Scheme. Pic: Getty Images/magone

Allergy UK to attend Ice Cream & Artisan Food Show

By Jim Cornall

Allergy UK, a charity providing support and information for those living with allergic disease, is sponsoring the brand new ‘Alternative Class’ category of this year’s National Ice Cream Competition at The Ice Cream and Artisan Food Show 2020 in Harrogate...