It was not long ago that domestic demand afforded dairy producers a premium for their milk compared to their international counterparts. Similarly, domestic end users of dairy products such as cheese and butter can no longer look to the likes of Europe and New Zealand for cheap fat and protein alternatives.

Swiss Valley Farms, Davenport, Iowa, is the 2016 Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year. The award goes to a dairy supplier that exemplifies leadership in advancing U.S. dairy exports, demonstrates commitment to export market development and makes exports an integral part of its overall growth strategy. It is presented by Dairy Foods and sponsored by the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Arlington, Va.

Dairy cooperative Swiss Valley Farms is the 2016 recipient of the Tom Camerlo Exporter of the Year award given by Dairy Foods and sponsored by the U.S. Dairy Export Council.

Britain’s vote in June to leave the European Union (EU) carries with it a mass of unknowns. In fact, the only certain thing about the outcome is continued uncertainty.

The world was turned upside last month for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s winter south of the Equator where Brazil hosted the summer Olympics. That gave me a different perspective on current events.

At issue is a World Health Organization proposal written in January that seeks to prohibit the promotion of milk and milk products to children under the age of three. In April, The National Milk Producers Federation (representing dairy farmers) and the International Dairy Foods Association (representing dairy processors) urged members of Congress to insist upon a more thorough analysis of the proposal.

The United States needs to step up its export game and compete harder to take advantage of continued gains in emerging-market dairy demand.

The demand will grow for dairy exports, but with less strength than the past decade. U.S. dairy processors will face increased international competition, especially from the European Union.

Between cutbacks from China and an embargo by Russia, their imports dropped 16.3 billion pounds. Meanwhile, global milk supplies expanded. The big question is: How will U.S. processors re-balance their stocks of dairy powders?

Domestic consumption of dairy products has been strong throughout 2015 and has helped to offset both increased milk production and declining U.S. exports, reports the National Milk Producers Federation.