Swiss Valley Farms, Davenport, Iowa, said it sold its Platteville, Wis., cheese manufacturing facility to Tritent International Agriculture Inc., Chicago. The sale became effective Sept. 18, 2012. Details of the transaction are not being publicly disclosed.

Cheese prices across the U.S. continued to move higher this week and milk production is increasing, to varying degrees, across most regions of the nation, reports the USDA's Dairy Market News.

Brian Pacheco, a fourth-generation dairyman from Kerman, Calif., is honored by his alma mater, the University of California, Davis, with an “Award of Distinction” from the university’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES). The award is presented annually to those whose contributions and achievements enhance the college’s ability to provide cutting-edge research, top-notch education, and innovative outreach.

Smart Balance Inc. is changing its name to Boulder Brands Inc., moving its corporate headquarters to Boulder, Colo., and establishing two business segments.
 

"You can read that report until the proverbial cows come home and you will not find anywhere that it concludes that the Dairy Security Act is the best approach for dairy farmers, as was falsely claimed by the National Milk Producers Federation," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative and economic affairs.

The nation's largest dairy processor, Dean Foods, says it "recently decided to explore a transaction that may result in the sale of the Morningstar business."

Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, Landsdale, Pa., introduced a new white bottle that is said to protect the purity of milk by blocking light intake. The dairy processor, a brand of Dean Foods, is using the name Pure Protect for the opaque container.

The Kroger Co. announced nationwide availability of its new Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic brands. Dairy categories include milk and yogurt; other categories are salads, dried fruit, sodas, chips and quinoa.  Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic products are free from 101 artificial preservatives and ingredients that some customers have said they do not want in their foods. Simple Truth Organic products are certified organic by the USDA.