USDA closed the books June 30 on its FY 2005 Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) with almost no activity for the year. During the entire year, USDA never requested bids or awarded bonuses, so no dairy products were exported under the once-popular program. The reason is not much of a mystery. Demand for U.S. dairy products was strong throughout the year, keeping prices high, making government compensation for exporters unnecessary. International milk production was down, and the currency battering suffered by the dollar worked to U.S. producers' advantage, pumping up demand for U.S. non-fat dry milk. U.S. NFDM exports are up 155% since July 1, 2004, when the DEIP fiscal year began.

Coolbrands International, Inc., Ontario, last month reported losses of $6.9 million for its third quarter, saying that the conclusion of an important contract with Weight Watchers and costs relating to the development of new brands were the major factors.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Milk Processor Education Program says its "St. Louis School Milk Test" resulted in an average increase in milk sales of more than 12%.

Kerry Sweet’s Frozen Dessert sales force has a combined experience of more than 100 years in the food and beverage industry. (Back row, from left to right) Beth Blake, national

Le MARS, Iowa-Dairy industry pioneer Fay Roberts Wells, former chief executive officer of Wells' Dairy passed away in June. He was 82.

DUBLIN, Calif.-The National Food Laboratory, Inc. says that it received notification from FDA accepting filing of the first rotary bottle filler intended for aseptic packaging low-acid beverages, in the United States.

Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry's hopes to help lick global warming by launching the world's first Climate Change College.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Bomp Pop®, and Wells' Blue Bunny is marking the occasion with a special promotion. Wells' is running a sweepstakes that offers consumers a chance to win, by redeeming Bomb Pop sticks with winning code numbers. Prizes include a trip for four to Disneyland, and a Nintendo game system.

Dean Foods Co. earned net income totaling $66.2 million for the first quarter of 2005, compared with $69.2 million in the 2004 first quarter.

MONTREAL-Saputo Inc. is bolstering its market leader position for string cheese in the United States with a $23.9-million acquisition of Schneider Cheese Inc., Waldo, Wis. Schneider makes string cheese and cheese sticks under the Schneider brand name and private labels, with annual revenue of about $40 million.