Dairy Farm

DFA to purchase a portion of Dean Foods’ assets for $433m

By Beth Newhart

After several months of back and forth following the Dean Foods bankruptcy, the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) co-op is acquiring a majority of its assets for $433m. Prairie Farms Dairy will also get a portion for $75m.

“Do you provide paid sick leave for your employees? If not, will employees feel financially obligated to come to work even when sick?”

NMPF beefs up coronavirus resource website for dairy

By Beth Newhart

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) in the US has set up a designated website for those in the dairy industry to utilize during the health crisis. It’s updating regularly with general information, work permit templates and multimedia resources.

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...

“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.

“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.

UPenn studies climate change through dairy cows

By Beth Newhart

Cows digest millions of tons of food every year that is not suitable for humans, making them ‘critical partners’ in developing sustainable, regenerative agro-food systems. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are studying the positive impacts...

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.

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%.

Breeding technology practices can lead to increased milk production and environmental benefits.  Pic: Getty/Deb Drury

Fluid milk has room to grow with genomic testing

By Beth Newhart

The future of milk can evolve beyond organic, grass fed and a2 varieties with more widespread breeding technology, changing the way dairy farmers manage their herds, according to a new Rabobank report.

“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.

Cows are an ideal solution to the pumpkin problem because they are able to better digest foods that humans cannot. Pic: American Dairy Association North East

Leftover pumpkins have new life for dairy cows

By Beth Newhart

Every year discarded pumpkins release harmful methane gas into the atmosphere as they rot in landfills. And with the mainstream consumer now prioritizing sustainable agriculture and recycling, dairy farmers are stepping in to eliminate pumpkin waste.

“It’s impressive to see how this industry comes together. They don’t point fingers at each other, they work together.

DMI exec talks sustainability strategy after six months on the job

By Beth Newhart

After years of working under former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden officially joined Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) in April of 2019. Her role as executive VP of global environmental strategy has put her focus on telling the sustainability...

The pending location in south central Idaho is considered the heart of the state's dairy industry. Pics: The University of Idaho

Largest US research dairy set for Idaho

By Beth Newhart

The University of Idaho has planned the largest research dairy in the US, set to break ground in 2021. A demonstration farm and agro-tourism center will accompany the 2,000-cow dairy on Idaho’s campus.

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.

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.