Good is not good enough at fairlife, where the company motto is ‘believe in better.’ The 2015 Processor of the Year is making value-added dairy beverages, including high-protein milk, post-workout recovery milkshakes and low-sugar chocolate milk.

The USDA has issued a call for nominations to serve on the board of the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board (also known as MilkPEP). Nominees for the regional positions must be active owners or employees of a fluid milk processor.

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?

Food scientists seek alternative ingredients. A companion request for ‘all natural’ foods might require complex reformulation.

Nondairy beverage makers are adding flavors, like caramel to coffees and spices to teas. Sales of almond milks are up 16% in a year.

The dairy co-op has six processing plants near three major ports. From there, CDI exports milk powders and butter to markets in Asia and elsewhere.

Butter churners wait in line for cream behind manufacturers of fluid products. With dairies making full-fat varieties of milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream, there is less cream available for butter.

Falling production, retail prices and sales aren’t helping creameries. Manufacturers look to flavors and healthier formulations to revive the category.