Dairy industry executives in the news include the late Leonard Gentine, founder of Sargento Cheese founder; Barb O’Brien of DMI; Dan Zastoupil of Marathon Cheese; and Michael J. Pengue of Bai Brands.

The Dairy Foods 2016 Plant of the Year is Bel Brands USA’s manufacturing facility in Brookings, S.D., that makes Mini Babybel cheeses.

Dairy Foods is accepting nominations for the 11^th annual Exporter of the Year award, given by with the cooperation of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Dairy Foods asks the dairy industry to help it select the 2016 Plant of the Year. We have nominated 12 dairy processing plants that manufacture fluid milk, ice cream, yogurt, cheese and other dairy and nondairy products. 

Dairy Foods has selected Chicago-based fairlife LLC as the 2015 Processor of the Year. fairlife created a proprietary ultra-filtration process that boosts the natural protein and calcium found in milk and reduces its natural sugars.

Three dairy processors and three dairy industry suppliers received innovation awards at the International Dairy Show.

Online voting has begun for the third Dairy Innovations Awards program by the International Dairy Foods Association.

The International Dairy Show runs Sept. 15 through 18, returning to Chicago at McCormick Place, and co-locating with Process Expo and InterBev Process.

Enter the World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest. The deadline to return entry forms is July 17.

Dairy Foods is looking for the 2015 Exporter of the Year. U.S.-based dairy companies that export dairy foods, beverages or ingredients are eligible to enter the annual awards program