Saputo’ssecond quarter consolidated revenue of $881 million (USD), was down $36.7 million compared to last year. The drop was attributed to the lower cheese prices in the U.S. Dairy Sector. Net earnings were $58.3 million up $3.1 million for the period.
Frank Cranespent much of career atLand O’Lakessearching for ways to add value to the byproducts of cheesemaking, and in 1951 developed a baby formula for calves. Crane died in Arizona Oct. 15 of complications from cancer. He was 83.
Dairy Farmers of Americamight be the largest dairy processor in the U.S. to have implemented an automated, end-to-end RFID system. DFA is using the technology at two cheese-processing plants, tagging cases in compliance with a Wal-Mart mandate.Wal-Martplans to have 1,000 RFID-enabled stores and distribution centers by early next year.
Wisconsinis aggressively recruiting farmers interested in raising goats. Existing goat farmers are expanding their herds, and some dairy cow farmers are even switching to goats, as Canada’s largest goat cheesemaker, Woolwich Dairy moves forward with construction of a major goat cheese plant scheduled to open next year in the southwest part of the state.
The nation’s three major organic dairy producer organizations are urging USDA’sNational Organic Programto ensure that animals brought onto an organic operation be organically raised from last third of gestation, and that organic cows older than six months should graze for no less than 120 days a year.
IDFA has hailed a briefing paper, released last month by the libertarianCato Institute, calling for fundamental U.S. dairy policy reform. The Cato Institute is the first public policy organization to tackle dairy policy in the lead-up to the 2007 Farm Bill. The institute’s briefing paper, titled “Milking the Customers: The High Cost of U.S. Dairy Policies,” highlights weaknesses in current U.S. dairy policies and argues that existing programs have a minimal and conflicting role in supporting prices for farmers.
Having children is the most significant motivator for people to start buying organic, according to health-care products makerAbbott Laboratories. Abbott has just launched Similac Organic, a USDA-certified organic infant formula. Made from organic milk and other organic ingredients, it’s available at major retailers where infant formula is sold, including Wal-Mart and Walgreens.
Researchers atOregon State Universitysay they have found a way to produce extended shelf-life milk without introducing off-flavors. Michael Qian and colleagues say they have developed a food processing technology called high hydrostatic pressure processing that involves putting foods under extreme pressure, crushing and killing bacteria while leaving food with a fresh, uncooked taste. The researchers reported obtaining a shelf life of 45 days at refrigerated temperature by exposing the mlk to 85,000 psi for about five minutes.
Probiotic shotsare expected to help push the cultured dairy market upwards of $15 billion by 2010, according to recent market research from Packaged Facts. The relatively new U.S. market for probiotic shots is set to grow by 97.4% over a five-year period, according to Cultured Dairy Products in the U.S., the latest report from the division ofMarketReseach.com
Humboldt Creamery, Fortuna, Calif., one of the nation’s largest producers of natural rBST free dairy products, is adding organic milk to its line-up. None of Humboldt Creamery’s member-dairies use the growth hormone rBST, and products have been marketed as rBST free. Cows are also given substantial access to pasture. Now more than half of the members have gone organic, and the company says it sees growing consumer interest in organic milk as a way of helping to protect the environment, and it wants to help meet the demand.
