Pricing Pressures

“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.

The Norwegian company is still looking to cost savings in 2020. Pic: TINE

TINE Group sees expected decline in 2019

By Jim Cornall

Norwegian dairy company TINE said it will be looking at the viability of some of its facilities as it announced expected losses in 2019 in spite of cost savings and growth in flavored milk and cheese.

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.

“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.

“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).

The IICMA warned of several negative impacts of reduced SMP supply. Pic: Getty Images/Ram Tekale

Concerns in India over possible ice cream price hike

By Jim Cornall

Ice-cream and frozen-dessert manufacturers in India are facing difficulties in finding skimmed milk powder (SMP), as stock is not available in the market and there is sudden hike in its unit price.

Positive dairy reaction as USMCA passes Senate

By Beth Newhart

After months of uncertainty, the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) has officially passed the US House and Senate. President Donald Trump said he will sign it into law next week.

“With an election year, sometimes legislative activity grinds to a halt.

NMPF outlines the legislative dairy landscape in 2020

By Beth Newhart

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) projects that the USMCA bill will pass the Senate soon, followed by a greater focus on agriculture labor, transportation and infrastructure and childhood nutrition this year.

Wisconsin lost nearly 1,500 dairies in two years, despite the industry's significant contribution to the state's economy. Pic: Getty/Dcwcreations

More than 800 Wisconsin dairies closed in 2019

By Beth Newhart

Data from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture revealed that a record 10% of dairy farms in Wisconsin shuttered last year. It topped 2018’s loss of 7.25%.

With the 2020 US election looming, the US dollar is expected to be volatile and affect global dairy. Pic: Getty/sergeyryzhov

Higher dairy prices are on the horizon

By Beth Newhart

As the year's fourth quarter wraps up, Rabobank's RaboResearch looks back on global dairy's performance in 2019, and ahead to 2020. Milk production and prices are up, leading to challenges for producers.

The new code prohibits retrospective pricing step downs. Pic: Getty Images/JohnCarnemolla

Australia’s new mandatory dairy code welcomed

By Jim Cornall

Australian dairy farmers now have a rule book to help them negotiate a fair price for their product with a mandatory Dairy Code of Conduct taking effect from January 1, 2020.

The deal is being reviewed by legal channels, and has not yet been signed by officials in either country. Pic: Getty/Christoph Burgstedt

US reaches new trade deal with China

By Beth Newhart

The US government announced a ‘Phase One’ trade deal on Friday that stipulates China will make substantial purchases of US goods and services in the coming years, including from agriculture.

Nestlé USA is the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the US, and Froneri will now be the second largest ice cream manufacturer in the world.

Froneri scoops Nestlé’s US ice cream division for $4bn

By Beth Newhart

Froneri started as an ice cream-focused joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners in 2016, and the relationship will be furthered by the acquisition of Nestlé USA’s collection of ice cream brands.

Hochdorf said it will in future increasingly work with the traditional Swiss brand Bimbosan and the Babina brand.

Hochdorf sells Pharmalys stake to Pharmalys Invest Holding

By Jim Cornall

The Board of directors of Switzerland’s Hochdorf Group has sold its 51% majority stake in companies of the Pharmalys Group acquired at the end of 2016 to Pharmalys Invest Holding, controlled by Amir Mechria.

“Dairy farmers in Pennsylvania and across the US are in the fourth year of an economic downturn in which many farmers are struggling to break even.

Conservation pays on US dairy farms, even in a weak economy

By Beth Newhart

In a collaboration between the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and four Pennsylvania dairy farmers, a new report finds that conservation practices generally result in a farm’s good economic health. But farmers can’t do it alone.

The court authorized the company to continue paying employee wages and benefits without interruption.

Dean Foods gets court approval for normal business operations

By Jim Cornall

Dean Foods Company has received approvals from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas for the "First Day" motions related to the company's voluntary Chapter 11 petitions filed on November 12, 2019.

Dean Foods is ‘engaged in advanced discussions’ with the Dairy Farmers of America regarding a potential sale of all company assets.

Dean Foods files for bankruptcy in Texas

By Beth Newhart

One of the most well-known dairy companies in the US is prepared to sell its business after years of disappointing numbers. The Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) may be a potential buyer of the Dean Foods assets.

Q3 marked a year since Glanbia's acquisition of SlimFast in 2018. Pic: SlimFast

Glanbia’s dairy soars while performance nutrition takes a hit

By Beth Newhart

In Glanbia’s third quarter results, the global nutrition group announced total revenues were up 16.9% with strong numbers from its Nutritional Solutions (NS) division. But Performance Nutrition (GPN) struggled despite key acquisitions.

The bill was announced at the US Capitol Building on Wednesday. Pic: Idaho Dairymen's Association

Bipartisan farm labor bill could ensure a stable workforce

By Beth Newhart

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 was introduced in the US House of Representatives this week, with the goal of expanding the H-2A foreign guestworker program and aiding with legalization of current workers.

Fleurieu is expanding its market reach to Asia and beyond.

South Australia’s Fleurieu has found success by taking a radical approach

Bucking the trend put an end to Aussie dairy doldrums

By Richard Whitehead

When Fleurieu Milk Company opened for business 13 years ago, it did so as a reaction to the struggles the Australian dairy industry had been facing at the time. Today, with an upgraded processing plant, and on the back of sharp growth, it seems a world...

Growing populations, westernization of diets and a preference for full-fat dairy are driving global cheese growth. Pic: Getty/Михаил Руденко

Winners and losers in a decade of global cheese trade

By Beth Newhart

More out of market investments and a strong US production base are bolstering cheese growth. Rabobank took a look at the global cheese market since 2010 in a recent report, and predicted what’s to come.

Müller will determine measures to be taken once a review has been undertaken.

Müller looking into Scottish milk surplus

By Jim Cornall

UK milk processor Müller Milk & Ingredients has warned Scottish dairy farmers who supply the company that a 25% surge in farm milk production, which is not supported by growth in demand for fresh milk products in Scotland, is not sustainable and has...

Trade tensions between the US and China have finally started to ease, but US consumers might see the tariffs reflected in retail prices soon. Pic: Getty/Lumineux_Images

Dairy prepares for potential 2020 recession

By Beth Newhart

Global dairy markets are expected to remain firm through mid-2020, but Rabobank predicts that the second half of the year will be tighter in the face of a possible global recession.

“For people who don’t really know dairy, it’s a bit of a hard sell to convince them of the problem of acid whey.

Capro-X reimagines Greek yogurt waste

By Beth Newhart

Each cup of Greek yogurt generates more than three cups of acid whey waste, which is expensive to dispose of sustainably. Startup Capro-X says it offers more cost-effective, creative solutions to the problem.

Halo Top acquired by Blue Bunny producer

By Beth Newhart

Wells Enterprises has announced its purchase of light ice cream company Halo Top. Wells already manufactures popular dessert brands like Blue Bunny, Bomb Pop and Chilly Cow.

 “We want an ongoing relationship with China. We are in this for the long haul.

USDEC positive after China visit in spite of new tariffs

By Beth Newhart

Over the weekend, US president Donald Trump put into effect a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods, while the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC) visited Chinese officials to preserve its relationship with China.