A bi-partisan group of dairy state lawmakers is pushing a measure through the U.S. Senate to double the size of the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) subsidy, which provides payments to producers when milk prices fall. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI), the measure's co-sponsors, say it would extend MILC through September 2007 and increase the cap to 4.8 million gallons per year. Coleman says the measure has quickly gained support in the Senate - and beyond.

Dean Foods Co. reported lower earnings for 2004, although sales were on the rise. Executives said volatile raw milk prices caused the Dairy Group, which accounts for 80% of Dean's business to underperform. They also pointed to stronger fourth quarter performance as a sign of good things to come.

Cargill Dow, the company that makes the proprietary, corn-based plastic resins marketed under the NatureWorks® PLA and Ingeo™ fiber brand names will be known as NatureWorks LLC. The name change

Brand Fever? Popular, branded milk products are beginning to elbow out private-label milk in grocery store dairy cases, according to a recent article in Supermarket News. One dairy case manager

CoolBrands International Inc. reached a settlement agreement with Weight Watchers and Wells' Dairy and will no longer manufacture or sell Weight Watchers and Smart Ones trademarks as of May 1.

A family of English cheesemakers is angry that the British government recently offered no help with its fight to protect the country's feta cheese business.

The Dairy Council of California has elected Mike Newell its board chairman for 2005. Newell, president of Crystal Cream & Butter Co., has served on the Dairy Council board since 1999.

Those in the U.S. dairy industry often wonder aloud if functional yogurt can get a foothold in the States. Well, it's happened in Spain.

Students in St. Louis-area school lunch rooms are part of a study of new flavors and packaging to see if they can be persuaded to drink more school milk from an improved gabletop package.

CoolBrands International Inc., Toronto, was quick to name a new CEO after Richard Smith, co-chairman and co-CEO of the company died last month. A company spokesman said Smith, 64, died at a hospital outside New York City after an operation for an undisclosed ailment.