I was surprised to read this story about a community trying to save a small dairy farm that operated on a nonprofit environmental educational center in Connecticut. New Pond Farm has sold milk and yogurt and cheese made on site from its small herd of 22 cows. Recently the board of directors decided to sell most of the herd and … Read More
Pa. Center Offers Grants
The Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence is offering $1,500 “Cash Projection and Business Budgeting” grant to assist dairy producers struggling to manage cash flow in a cash-negative milk sales environment. The 40 grants are being made available as an initiative of the Pennsylvania Dairy Task Force’s Business Management Committee through a federal grant. “As many producers struggle with negative cash … Read More
Pa. Dairy Producers Invited to Economic Roundtables
Dairy producers and managers faced with depressed milk prices can share ideas and find solutions for managing through the current environment at dairy roundtable meetings hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence with Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Penn State Dairy Alliance. Although participation is free, reservations are required. Any dairy producer interested in attending should contact the Center … Read More
Fonterra Cuts Price to Suppliers
Fonterra Australia has slashed its milk price to farmers and warned more severe cuts are to come. Fonterra managing director Bruce Donnison sent letters to 1,500 of its suppliers last week stating the company had withdrawn its November step-up payment of 7c/kg butterfat and 17c/kg protein. The letter states: “Since writing to you in early November, we have seen a … Read More
Kraft’s Offers New Recipe App for iPhone
Kraft Foods is making it easier for busy consumers to plan meals, search recipes and even locate the nearest store through a new downloadable application for iPhone and iPod touch users. The application is called iFood Assistant and is available on the Apple App Store for 99 cents. It is billed as the first of its kind for a food … Read More
EU approves Campina-Friesland Foods merger
EU regulators approved the merger of Netherlands-based dairy food product cooperatives Campina and Friesland Foods on condition they sell certain cheese and dairy drink divisions. The European Commission said the initial merger would have resulted in serious competition concerns in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium for various dairy products, including yoghurt drinks, cheeses and custards. To meet EU concerns, the … Read More
Sapuyo Acquires Weston Foods
Saputo, based in Canada, has completed the transaction to acquire Neilson Dairy, the dairy division of Weston Foods also of Canada. The C$465m (US$372m) acquisition, first announced on 22 October, will enable Saputo to increase its presence in Ontario in the markets for fluid milk and cream, the company said yesterday (1 December). Weston Foods manufactures, sells and distributes – … Read More
Michigan Plant Bought by Dairy Conglomerate
Arizona Maricopa Associates LLC, a dairy conglomerate spanning the Southwest U.S., has purchased a former auto parts plant in Grand Rapids, Mich. for $4.4 million. Although not confirmed, the plant is slated to become a dairy plant. The Arizona/California dairy business is owned by the Arie De Jong family, a long-standing member of the West Coast milk industry. Although the … Read More
Fonterra Opens Chicago Research Center
Fonterra Cooperative Group, has opened its new research and development center called the Chicago Technical Center (CTC) in Chicago, Ill. Just four months ago, Fonterra USA moved its North American headquarters from Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, to the Rosemont area. Customers will be able to come in and physically see the processes and taste the products, as Fonterra’s technical staff develop … Read More
Jones Payments Revealed
Dairy Herd Management is reporting a Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) special committee has discovered that former CEO Gary Hanman made unauthorized payments in the amount of $185,500 to Mississippi dairy producer Buckey Jones. Reveled Current CEO Rick Smith described the incident Tuesday morning in a telephone call to members of the dairy media. The situation also is discussed in … Read More