Johnson Refrigerated Truck Bodies announced recently that it has become a non-union company. On Dec. 11, the National Labor Relations Board certified and confirmed the results of a decertification vote that took place in October.

The debate over raw milk consumption has been fairly local and quiet in the U.S., but in Canada, it’s grabbed headlines of late. In November, a farmer who has been at the center of the controversy for more than ten years went on a hunger strike, following a renewed government crackdown on his cow share operation.

When Chipotle, the Mexican inspired, better for-you quick service restaurant chain recently opened its first outlet in Boston, the Boston Globe took the occasion to produce an article on quick service restaurants with a focus on healthful food.

We know milk is a great beverage, an ideal vehicle for probiotics, and that its components have a myriad of uses, but who would have thought that ordinary whole milk could help with CAT scans?

Texas A&M University, announced recently that a new Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium has been created, to help address the rapid expansion of dairy farming in the area.

MADISON, Wis.-The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) recently awarded Terry Sell, store manager of Joseph’s Super Valu in Ishpeming, Mich. and Paul Linsmeyer, sales representative of Morning Glory Dairy as grand prize winners of the “Chocolate Milk. Great Nutrition in Disguise” retail display contest.

Fromageries Bel, the French producer and distributor of branded cheeses, will expand its operations in Canada to meet growing demand for its The Laughing Cow and Mini Babybel products.

Cold Stone Creamery and Six Flags have formed a multi-year strategic relationship under which Six Flags will open and operate Cold Stone Creamery locations in its branded parks.

One of USDA’s first big decisions of 2007, at least as far as the dairy industry in concerned, is whether to change the Class I and Class II pricing formulas to include increases in the minimums for both classes. USDA held a public hearing in December to consider a petition from dairy producers to implement the change as quickly as possible.

Entry materials for the 2007 United States Championship Cheese Contest are now available. The competition is set for March 12 –14 in Milwaukee and entry forms and fees are due February 12.