Posted: May 10, 2013 at 1:29 pm
By News Editor
The Minnesota Safety Council has awarded a Governor’s Safety Award to Dairy Farmers of America for superior performance in workplace safety and health at the Cooperative’s Zumbrota, Minn. manufacturing plant. DFA received a Meritorious Achievement Award.
Since 1934, the annual Governor’s Safety Awards program has honored Minnesota employers with exceptional safety performance. Applicants are judged on several years of injury data as it compares with their industry’s national statistics, and on their progress in implementing a comprehensive safety program.
Winners are recognized at three levels: Meritorious Achievement Award, Outstanding Achievement Award and Award of Honor. As one of 143 Meritorious Achievement Award honorees, DFA has demonstrated incident rates that are better than the industry average for at least three years.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA)
Posted: May 7, 2013 at 2:33 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America owned Southwest Cheese Co. LLC plant in Clovis, N.M. will soon undergo a $100 million expansion.
The expansion will allow for more production of curds and whey proteins, which are used in ice cream, processed cheese sauces and sports drinks and energy bars.
Southwest Cheese is one of the world’s largest cheese plants and produces thousands of pounds of Monterey Jack, cheddar, American and other varieties of cheese. Southwest Cheese processes more than 3.8 billion pounds of milk, and produces in excess of 388 million pounds of block cheese and 29.1 million pounds of whey protein powders each year.
Source: Albuquerque Business First, Dan Mayfield
Posted: April 30, 2013 at 6:30 pm
By News Editor
In recognition of exceptional commitment to quality and customer service, employees at Dairy Farmers of America’s Schulenburg, Texas, facility have been awarded the PepsiCo North American Foods 2012 Service Award for Contract Manufacturing. The award recognizes the Schulenburg team as leaders among 41 contract manufacturing suppliers at 63 locations across the country.
The Schulenburg facility performed at or above target on all service metrics throughout 2012. Among key initiatives that earned this prestigious recognition was a flawless introduction of nine new products. This included gaining certification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for these new products and managing complex capacity needs. During the transition, the team also flawlessly executed a new line installation and service for multi-packing Frito-Lay products.
The Schulenburg facility is one of five DFA Contract Manufacturing plants across the nation. Through the Contract Manufacturing Division, DFA develops and tests new food products for customers throughout the country.
DFA plants utilize state-of-the-art retort technology to make shelf-stable consumer products, including sport drinks, coffee-based flavored drinks, cheese powders and flavors, infant formula, sour cream and cheese dips for well-known brands.
At DFA’s state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Springfield, Mo., food scientists and engineers work closely with DFA customers as they develop and test new food products and create innovative packaging. In addition, flexible manufacturing capabilities allow DFA to produce products in packaging such as steel, aluminum, glass and plastic.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
Posted: March 26, 2013 at 2:43 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America’s 15th Annual Meeting explored the diverse ways the Cooperative and dairy industry are preparing for the future.
The meeting kicked off with the chairman’s report, delivered by Randy Mooney, chairman of DFA’s Board of Directors, who operates a dairy in Rogersville, Mo. He focused on the steps DFA has taken to seize opportunities in the global marketplace, as well as its strategy to capture these prospects in the future. Mooney also discussed issues, such as animal activism, that are affecting farmers every day at home.
An overview of the Cooperative’s business was delivered by President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith. His report also explored how the Cooperative has evolved during the past several years and highlighted ongoing efforts to better serve and provide value to its members.
Special guests and additional highlights of the meeting program included:
· A panel discussion, “World of Opportunity,” featuring Tom Suber, president, U.S. Dairy Export Council; Jay Waldvogel, senior vice president of strategy and international development, DFA; and Larry Jensen, president, Leprino Foods
· “Feeding 9 Billion People — Maintaining the Planet,” a presentation by Jason Clay, senior vice president of market transformation, World Wildlife Fund
· An update on National Milk Producers Federation’s work for the dairy industry by Jerry Kozak, president and chief executive officer
· An overview of the latest dairy promotion activities by Tom Gallagher, chief executive officer of Dairy Management Inc.
The Cooperative’s Annual Banquet brought a host of recognitions, including the 2013 Members of Distinction — one member farm from each of DFA’s seven regional Areas that is excelling on their operations, in their communities and in the industry.
The 2013 Members of Distinction are: Krause Holsteins Inc., Buffalo, Minn.; Ayers Farms, Perrysville, Ohio; J.R. Hall Farms, Rigby, Idaho; Piper Farm LLC, Embden, Maine; Huffard Dairy Farms, Crockett, Va.; Bentwood Dairy, Waco, Texas; and Van Warmerdam Dairy, Galt, Calif.
In addition, outgoing Board directors were recognized for their contributions to DFA during the Cooperative’s Annual Banquet. They are Mickey Childers, Somerville, Ala., Southeast Area; Larry Frederick, Baring, Mo., Central Area; Lew Gardner, Galeton, Pa., Northeast Area; Les Hardesty, Greeley, Colo., Mountain Area; Pete Mensonides, Turlock, Calif., Western Area; Ellis Roberts, Preston, Idaho, Mountain Area; and Rob Wonderlich, Ollie, Iowa, Central Area.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
Posted: March 22, 2013 at 12:55 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America has reached a settlement agreement in a portion of the class action lawsuit regarding DFA’s trading activity on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in 2004.
“Under the terms of the settlement with the class of direct purchasers of dairy products, filed this week,DFA makes no admission of wrongdoing and will pay $46 million to the plaintiff class.
“Our farmer leadership and management team have worked diligently to put certain old issues behind us and resolve pending litigation. Recently we were able to settle a class action lawsuit in the Southeast United States. Resolution of both of these lawsuits allows us to remove a source of distraction for our leadership and to avoid additional legal fees.
“The payment of the settlement will not affect the Cooperative’s day-to-day operations or its ability to market members’ milk and pay them a competitive price for that milk. Member milk checks and the member equity program will not be impacted.”
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
Posted: January 24, 2013 at 10:13 am
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) have reached a settlement agreement in the class action lawsuit against DFA in the southeastern United States.
DFA makes no admission of wrongdoing in this settlement. Under the terms of the settlement, filed yesterday with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, DFA will pay $140 million to the plaintiff class. An additional, refundable $9.3 million per year for two years will be placed in a fund to incentivize stronger Class I utilization rates in Federal Orders 5 and 7.
Also included in the agreement are remedial elements regarding reporting, accounting and communication of certain business information and functions. Many of these components are consistent with new policies and procedures DFA management voluntarily developed and implemented previously to emphasize a culture of openness and transparency within the Cooperative.
“Our Board and management team have worked diligently to put certain old issues behind us,” said Rick Smith, president and chief executive officer. “This outcome positions DFA to fulfill a commitment to our members to resolve pending litigation, to remove a source of distraction for our leadership and to avoid additional legal fees.”
The payment of the settlement will not affect the Cooperative’s day-to-day operations or its ability to market members’ milk or pay them a competitive price for that milk. Member milk checks and the member equity program will not be impacted.
“The Cooperative remains healthy and poised for a bright future,” Smith said. “We continue to develop new member programs and invest in plants and new products. We also continue to seek out new opportunities and innovative ways to increase value to our dairy farmer owners.”
Source: Dairy Farmers of America (DFA)
Posted: November 8, 2012 at 5:58 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations to Dairy Farmers of America’s (DFA) for having six of its cheese products earned recognition at the 2012 National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Championship Cheese Contest in Orlando, Fla.
NMPF’s contest serves as a platform for cooperatives from across the country to showcase their top products and recognize the individuals who make them. The annual event was the first cheese competition that utilized grading standards to improve cheese quality, and to display such quality in a competitive forum. This year’s competition drew 176 entries, a record number.
Awards were presented for the following products:
· First Place, Soft Italian — DFA Mozzarella, New Wilmington, Pa.
· First Place, Open Class — La Vaquita Queso Panela, Houston, Texas
· Second Place, Soft Italian — DFA Provolone, New Wilmington, Pa.
· Second Place, Processed American Flavor — DFA White American Loaf with Pepper, West Middlesex, Pa.
· Third Place, Processed American Plain — DFA White American Loaf, West Middlesex, Pa.
· Third Place, Open Class — La Vaquita Queso Fresco Mexicano, Houston, Texas
Through Global Dairy Products Group (GDPG), DFA produces retail cheese and butter, foodservice cheese and butter and a wide range ofdairy protein ingredients. The Cooperative’s consumer brands include Borden® Cheese and Butter, Keller’s® Butter, Plugrá® Butter and Cache Valley® Cheese, among others. GDPG also is a leading contract manufacturer of shelf-stable products for national and international food companies.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America (DFA)
Posted: October 2, 2012 at 10:10 am
By Cindy Zimmerman
October is National Cooperative Month and 2012 is the the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives, so it is extra special to celebrate record farm cooperative income in 2011 and dairy co-ops did very well indeed.
USDA released the latest statistics today, showing that farmer, rancher and fishery cooperatives posted record sales of $213 billion and $5.4 billion in net income, surpassing the previous record sales year of 2008 by $10 billion while besting the old income record by $500 million.
“These new cooperative sales and income records for 2011 underscore the strength and productivity of the nation’s farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives, and the vital role they play in the nation’s economy,” said Dallas Tonsager, under secretary for Rural Development. “Primarily because of mergers, the number of farm co-ops continued to decline, but memberships and asset values are up.” Tonsager also noted that co-op employment levels remained strong, with cooperatives employing 184,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers, up slightly from 2010.
USDA’s annual list of the nation’s 100 largest agricultural cooperatives, also released today, shows that they also had record sales and income in 2011. The 100 largest ag co-ops reported revenue of $148 billion in 2011, an increase of almost 30 percent over 2010, when revenue totaled $113 billion. Net income for the 100 top co-ops was $3.17 billion, up from $2.35 billion in 2010. The previous top 100 co-op records were $130 billion for sales and $2.42 billion for income, both marks set in 2008.
The top ten agricultural cooperatives include four dairy cooperatives. Dairy Farmers of America of Kansas City with $12.9 billion in revenue was number two on the list again, topping 2010 revenue by 20%. Ranking 6th on the list was California Dairies with $3.66 billion, up 20% from 2010. The 9th and 10th largest cooperatives were Northwest Dairy Association of Seattle and Associated Milk Producers of Minnesota, both with approximately $2 billion in revenue, up 30% and 20% respectively from 2010.
Listen to or download Tonsager’s press conference here: USDA Under Secretary Dallas Tonsager
Posted: September 20, 2012 at 1:03 pm
By Melissa
“On behalf of the 15,000 dairy farmer owners of Dairy Farmers of America, we urge Congressional leadership to support this nation’s food producers by acting on the 2012 Farm Bill and bringing some relief to farmers suffering through weather-related disasters and unfavorable market conditions.
“The pending bill represents significant compromise and fiscal discipline, while addressing the critical needs of the dairy industry. This dairy policy reform was developed through three years of work by visionary dairy farmers and national and regional farmer-led organizations. It acknowledges the desire for more robust risk management tools and eliminates outdated and costly government programs. This is a fiscally responsible program created by dairy farmers, for dairy farmers.
“Passage of the 2012 Farm Bill is vitally important to America’s dairy farmers. The dairy provisions contained in both the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill would provide dairy farmers better options to manage their risk and their future, while keeping the industry competitive in the global marketplace, and saving taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
“We strongly urge House legislators to take action to protect the interests of the American farm families who are relying on them. Bring H.R. 6083 to the floor for a vote. Decisive action is critical to help dairy farmers avoid a repeat of the economic disaster of 2009 and to ensure a future for the industry.”
John Wilson
DFA Senior Vice President
Posted: September 11, 2012 at 6:26 pm
By John Davis
Recess is over… and it’s time to get back to work. That’s the message members of the Dairy Farmers of America are sending to the U.S. House. Congress went on its August recess before a floor vote could be taken on the House’s version of the farm bill, H.R. 6083 – the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012. A similar measure has already passed the Senate. In a letter from John Wilson, Senior Vice President of DFA, the group sent a petition with nearly 2,000 signatures to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) reminding him that the current bill expires soon:
“The 2008 authorization bill expires on September 30, 2012, and current domestic dairy programs do not provide farmers with the tools they need to weather extreme volatility in the global market. The bill pending before Congress represents significant compromise and fiscal discipline, and addresses critical needs of the dairy industry.
“Passage of the 2012 Farm Bill is vitally important to America’s dairy farmers. The dairy provisions in H.R. 6083 would provide dairy farmers with enhanced risk management tools, keep the industry competitive in the global marketplace, and save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. More importantly, this program will be critical in helping dairy farmers avoid the massive erosion of equity experienced in 2009.
Earlier this week, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack tried to alleviate dairy farmers’ concerns among National Farmers Union members in Washington, D.C. Tomorrow (Sept. 12, 2012), the NFU and American Farm Bureau Federation will team up for a rally in the nation’s capital calling for passage of a farm bill.
Posted: July 3, 2012 at 7:18 pm
By News Editor
In honor of June Dairy Month, Dairy Farmers of America members and employees again supported the DFA Cares Foundation with the second annual DFA Cares Fight Against Hunger. Through a combination of volunteer hours, food donations and fundraisers, more than 100,000 meals were made possible for those in need. Community outreach programs such as the annual June Dairy Month campaign are a key focus area for DFA Cares Foundation, which has operated since 2005 as a .
Across the nation, the effort encouraged members and employees to participate in diverse and creative ways:
- A grilled cheese cook-off in the Northeast Area encouraged employees to vote with nonperishable food items for their favorite sandwich creation. The winner was a bacon grilled cheese; the event generated 160 canned and nonperishable items to benefit the Food Bank of Central New York.
- Activities in the Mideast Area ranged from a pizza party fundraiser to food donations from attendees at the monthly Mideast Area Council meeting.
- Employees also hosted a food drive and volunteer event, all combined to deliver more than 8,800 meals for the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.
- Kansas City employees representing DFA’s Central Area and headquarters office participated in a series of five three-hour volunteer events at Harvesters Community Food Network, where they sorted and packaged more than 30,000 pounds of dried goods and produce. Employees also filled bins with nearly 1,100 pounds of food for donation to Harvesters.
- An ice cream social, food drive and volunteer event in the Southeast Area resulted in nearly 3,500 meals for the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee and First Baptist Church in Rogers, Ark.
- In DFA’s Mountain Area, Young Cooperators in Utah and Colorado attended family activity events where the cost of admission was a bag of nonperishable food items, which generated nearly 1,000 meals for the Utah Food Bank and Denver Cares.
- Southwest Area staff organized food drives, raised funds and participated in a kitchen volunteer event for the Tarrant County Food Bank, providing nearly 2,000 meals overall.
- A food drive in the Western Area generated donations in support of Second Harvest Food Bank of San Joaquin & Stanislaus Counties.
- In addition, 10 pallets of Borden Cheese products were donated to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, and DFA’s Contract Manufacturing division made a monetary donation representing 8,000 meals for Feeding America, the nation’s largest network of food banks.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA)
Posted: June 29, 2012 at 2:15 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America’s government and industry relations representative, Walter Bradley, testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy in support of H.R. 2997, the Superfund Common-Sense Act of 2011. This measure seeks to clarify that livestock manure should not be classified as a hazardous substance under nations’ Superfund laws.
Congress created the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to assist with cleaning up toxic waste sites, including hazardous materials such as petrochemicals, inorganic raw materials and petroleum oil used to make hazardous products and waste. H.R. 2997 seeks clarification under CERCLA and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act regulation that animal manure does not necessitate an emergency response nor does it create a Superfund site.
The phosphates in manure are not now, nor have they ever been, equivalent to the harmful chemicals that CERCLA has been addressing for the last 32 years. During that same time span, numerous laws have been passed and initiatives undertaken to encourage rural America to participate in the renewable energy field through the development of on-farm energy production. Congress has acknowledged manure’s value by funding research, and passing tax credits and mandates for its use for producing biogas, electricity and biodiesel.
“It is not logical to encourage dairy producers to invest millions of dollars in technologies to support the nation’s energy needs without addressing the threat that manure might be classified as a hazardous substance,” Bradley said in his testimony before Congress.
Aside from its use in bioenergy production, manure is frequently spread on fields as a nutrient-laden fertilizer containing vital nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Manure also is a valuable source of organic matter, which increases the water-holding capacity of coarse-textured sandy soils, improves drainage in fine-textured clay soils, reduces wind and water erosion, among other benefits. Additionally, its use reduces an operation’s dependence on man-made petroleum-based chemical fertilizers, which are exempt from these laws.
“Animal agricultural operations are subject to a vast array of federal, state and local environmental laws and authority to deal with every conceivable environmental problem. There has been no indication that environmental laws such as these are inadequate,” Bradley noted, urging swift passage of H.R. 2997 to protect dairy farmers’ interests.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA)
Posted: June 22, 2012 at 12:55 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) dairy farm members have the opportunity to help feed hungry families through a donation to Feeding America.
Last year, in honor of June Dairy month, DFA provided more than 100,000 meals to those in need. This year, we are doing more.
During June, every contribution made to DFA Cares Foundation via this website will be donated to Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, to help feed the hungry. Every dollar you contribute equals eight meals for someone in need.
Join us in giving back, and meeting our goal to provide 150,000 meals to the hungry.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America
Posted: June 22, 2012 at 6:52 am
By John Davis
The U.S. Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill today by a bipartisan margin of 64-35. Passage gained praise from the Dairy Farmers of America:
“The U.S. Senate sent an important message to the nation’s agriculture industry today by passing S. 3240, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (Farm Bill). The Farm Bill contains dairy provisions that will provide producers with tools to better manage volatility and their margins, while keeping them competitive in the global marketplace.
“We applaud Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member Pat Roberts for their leadership and perseverance in securing final passage of this important measure. This bill is a critical step toward much needed dairy policy reform.”
DFA encouraged the House of Representatives to now move forward on the bill.
Several amendments in the bill should be good for dairy, including Sen. Olympia Snowe’s (R-ME) measure that requires milk marketing order reform, eliminating the use of end-product price formulas for setting prices for Class III milk and requiring handlers to report, maintain, and make available all information and records for the administration of any milk marketing order. “Without this amendment, small dairy farmers face possible extinction due in part to excessive market volatility.”
Listen to Snowe talk on the floor about her amendment here:
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) Farm Bill amendment for dairy
In addition, Sen. Jim Demint’s (R-SC) amendment that would have made mandatory dairy checkoff programs voluntary failed.
The bill is expected to be taken up by the House after the 4th of July break. Ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), in an interview after a meeting with the American Seed Trade Association, told our own Chuck Zimmerman that he was pleased his dairy program had survived the amendment process.
Listen to Chuck’s interview with Peterson here: Rep. Collin Peterson interview
Posted: April 12, 2012 at 3:58 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) broke ground on a new state-of-the-art dairy ingredient manufacturing facility in Fallon, Nev.
Located on a 31.5-acre parcel in Phase II of Fallon’s New River Business Park, DFA’s greenfield dairy manufacturing facility will be the first of its kind in the industry, with the ability to produce dried dairy ingredients, such as whole milk powder, on a demand basis. The plant will be equipped to process 2 million pounds of raw milk daily and, at full capacity, will produce approximately 250,000 pounds of dried dairy ingredients daily (90 million pounds annually) for domestic and global customers.
The investment, approved by DFA’s dairy farmer Board of Directors, is part of the Cooperative’s strategic initiative to increase commercial investments in an effort to bring increased value to the Cooperative’s member owners. The project provides DFA the opportunity to enter a new market segment and to continue to leverage dairy farmer equity into profitable investments.
“As a result of the combined efforts of DFA, the state, city and county that brought the dairy plant to Fallon, the local dairy industry and the businesses that support dairy farmers have a bright future,” Glenn Wallace, chief operating officer for DFA’s Ingredients division. “This plant provides opportunity not only for the existing dairy farms in this area, but also makes room for new dairy operations to help grow the local dairy industry.”
In addition to the creation of at least 40 full time positions at the facility, increased employment opportunities are expected to occur in the community, on member farms and in agriculture support industries.
Construction will begin in the second quarter of 2012 and is scheduled for completion during summer 2013.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America
Posted: April 4, 2012 at 2:07 pm
By News Editor
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) will open a whole milk powder plant in Fallon, Nev. Construction on the facility is to begin in May. The plant’s completion is scheduled for summer 2013.
At full capacity, the plant will process 2 million pounds of milk per day and produce about 250,000 pounds of whole milk powder daily (90 million pounds annually).
“It gives us a secure home for our milk that we’ve not really had for a long time,” said Pete Olsen, a Fallon dairyman and a DFA director and member of its Western Council.
The nearest home for north Nevada milk is the Model Dairy bottling plant in Reno, and much of the milk produced in the Fallon area is trucked to California, he said.
The 22 dairies in the Fallon area produce about 1.25 million pounds of milk a day. The new plant will require another million pounds or so. Existing producers have indicated they will expand their operations to produce about 20 percent to 25 percent of that increase, but new producers will be needed to meet the full demand, he said.
DFA’s plan is to have a dedicated milk supply for the plant. That will benefit Nevada producers and could also benefit California producers in the first few years while Nevada is building its herds.
The Fallon plant will be the first of its kind in the Western hemisphere and is another step in DFA’s plan to strengthen its position in world markets, Olsen said. Whole milk powder is the milk powder of choice in international markets, he said.
Source: Capital Press
Posted: March 22, 2012 at 9:14 pm
By News Editor
At Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) 14th Annual Meeting, the Cooperative unveiled a new tagline – “More Cooperative” – which underscores a commitment to delivering more resources for members, more quality for customers and more leadership in the industry. More than 1,300 members and industry guests convened in Kansas City for the meeting.
Randy Mooney, chairman of DFA’s Board of Directors, chairman’s report included discussion on how the Cooperative brings value to members, what DFA is doing to position itself in the global market and its work to move the Dairy Security Act forward.
The annual president’s report, delivered by President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith, recapped the Cooperative’s business during the past year. Smith also detailed DFA’s 10 strategic initiatives, including how the Cooperative’s commercial business strategy brings more value to members.
Special guests and highlights of the meeting program included:
- A review of “Global Market Opportunities” by Clinton Anderson, partner with Bain & Company
- An inside perspective on “Redefining the Yogurt Category” by Hamdi Ulukaya, founder, president and chief executive officer for Chobani, Inc.
- An update on National Milk Producers Federation’s work on behalf of dairy producers by Jerry Kozak, president and chief executive officer
- A discussion about “Promoting and Protecting Dairy Farmer Interest” by Tom Gallagher, chief executive officer of Dairy Management Inc., and Lynn Liddle, executive vice president of communications, investor relations and legislative affairs for Domino’s Pizza
At the Annual Banquet Tuesday evening, the 2012 Members of Distinction were introduced. Each year, the Cooperative honors member farms from each of DFA’s seven regional Areas that are excelling on their operations, in their communities and in the industry. The 2012 honorees are: Miller Dairy, Hutchinson, Kan.; Alpine Hills Swiss Farm, Dry Ridge, Ky.; Morgan Ranches, Circleville, Utah; R.A. Bell & Sons Dairy, Hampstead, Md.; Edgewood Dairy, Purdy, Mo.; El Dorado Dairy, Clovis, N.M.; and W&J Bylsma Dairy, Oakdale, Calif.
The 2012 scholarship recipients also were announced at the banquet. Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students pursuing a career in the dairy industry. This year’s 19 recipients receiving a combined total of $19,750 are: Mikayla Conrad, New Holland, Ohio; Jacob Dueppengiesser, Perry, N.Y.; Jessica Hammerand, Epworth, Iowa; Maggie Harding, State College, Pa.; Ashlie Hardy, Farmington, Maine; Emily Jackson, Waco, Texas; April Johnson, Heron Lake, Minn.; Isaac Jones, Centre, Ala.; Natalie Laubner, Mandan, N.D.; John Long Jr., Amherst, Texas; Calvin Patten, Alexander, N.Y.; Emma Reeves, Dublin, Va.; Wesley Robinson, Laurens, S.C.; Austin Schmitz, Axtell, Kan.; Annie Specht, Bryan, Texas; Matthew Sweeney, Appleton, N.Y.; Ariel Waldeck, Upton, Ky.; Helen Wick, Stilwell, Okla.; and Kai Yuan, Manhattan, Kan.
In addition, outgoing Board directors were recognized for their contributions to the Cooperative during the banquet. They are Tom Croner, Berlin, Pa.; Greg Mitchell, Pecos, Texas; Clyde Rutherford, Clarksburg, N.J.; and Sandy Stauffer, Nicholville, N.Y.
During the business session on Wednesday, Donald Smith of Loretto, Ky., who was elected to fill the Board position vacated by Croner, was formally seated. Several directors who were re-elected to represent their Areas also were confirmed. Jeff Raney of Adamsville, Pa., was previously elected by the Mideast Area Council to succeed Croner as chairman; he also will serve as a member of DFA’s executive committee.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA)
Posted: February 22, 2012 at 12:16 pm
By News Editor
Guida’s Milk, Conn., has been sold to Dairy Farmers of America (DFA).
Guida’s will still buy more than 75 percent of its raw milk from Connecticut farmers. And Guida-Seibert Dairy Co. Inc., as the company is formally named, will now have access to more capital to expand.
All 257 employees will keep their jobs, including the president, Michael Young — a non-family member who was previously chief financial officer, and succeeded Michael Guida in the top job last October.
Guida’s was founded at the depth of the Depression, in 1932, by Alexander Guida Jr. — one of 13 children of Mary and Alexander Guida, immigrants who settled in Middletown as dairy farmers in the 1880s. Alexander Jr.’s brother, Frank (Jim’s father) joined him in 1947 when they bought the Seibert Dairy, which had been founded in 1886.
Guida’s, with 200 trucks and sales in surrounding states as well as Connecticut, was already strong. The company grew in 2011 by more than 15 percent in volume over 2010, Guida said. Including price increases, the gains were even larger. Guida’s built a 25,000-square-foot warehouse expansion and a 50,000-gallon silo at its New Britain headquarters in 2011.
For Dairy Farmers of America, which chiefly markets milk to processors, the acquisition provides a foothold in New England, and a processing business to diversify. DFA has not assigned a single person to the Guida’s operation.
Source: Hartford Courant, by Dan Haar
Posted: January 10, 2012 at 9:03 pm
By News Editor
Don’t delay – applications for the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.’s (DFA) annual DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship! The deadline to apply is January 13. Winners will be announced at DFA’s 14th Annual Meeting in March.
The program, now in its fifth year, has awarded scholarships totaling nearly $60,000 to outstanding students planning a career in dairy, either as a producer or in numerous related fields, such as veterinary medicine or agricultural communications.
“Investing in the future is critical to the long-term success of the dairy industry,” said David Darr, DFA vice president of sustainability and public affairs, and a member of the DFA Cares board. “The DFA Cares Scholarship Program encourages and rewards students committed to the future of our industry for the hard work they put in throughout the year.”
Any dairy-oriented student enrolled in a two- or four-year accredited college, university or trade school is eligible to apply for the scholarship. The program also is open to high school seniors and post graduates.
Award recipients will be selected based on their commitment and passion to a career in the dairy industry, essay responses, extracurricular activity involvement, academic achievements, prior work experience and financial need. All applicants must include two letters of recommendation and their most recent high school or college transcript.
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA)
Posted: December 1, 2011 at 6:37 pm
By News Editor
Congratulations Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. (DFA) for having five their cheese products earned recognition at the 2011 National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Championship Cheese Contest. The competition was held in conjunction with NMPF’s joint annual meeting with National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and United Dairy Industry Association.
NMPF’s contest serves as a platform for cooperatives from across the country to showcase their top products and recognize the individuals who make them. The annual event was the first cheese competition that utilized grading standards to improve cheese quality, and to display such quality in a competitive forum. This year’s competition drew nearly 150 entries, and cheese entered in the contest was served at a reception during the annual meeting.
“It is an honor to have our cheeses recognized among entries from such fine organizations,” said Mark Korsmeyer, president of DFA’s Global Dairy Products Group and executive vice president of DFA. “This recognition demonstrates that all plant employees are working hard to ensure excellence in our products every day.”
Awards were presented for the following products:
Best Italian — DFA Provolone, New Wilmington, Pa.
First Place, Soft Italian — DFA Provolone, New Wilmington, Pa.
Second Place, Processed American Flavored — Borden® Cheese Singles Sensations Hickory Smoked Swiss, Plymouth, Wis.
Second Place, Open Class — La Vaquita Queso Fresco Mexicano, Houston, Texas
Third Place, Open Class — La Vaquita Queso Panela Fresca, Houston, Texas
Source: Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.
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