Corporate Profiles - 2023 - 68

COMPANY overview
Dairy Farmers of America
Extended shelf life beverages, aseptic drinks
seen as growth channels
A
s one of the largest dairy companies in the
United States, Dairy Farmers of America
(DFA), the cooperative based in Kansas
City, Kan., has been focused on growth and innovation
over the past year.
The cooperative remains financially strong and
continues to expand commercial investments. In
the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, 2022, DFA's
revenues totaled $24.5 billion, up 27% from the
same period a year ago. The increase is a result of
higher US milk prices and higher overall product
prices, according to the DFA.
" Like so many industries, this has been a challenging
year for dairy with labor shortages, global
supply chain disruptions, record-level energy costs
and inflation, " said Dennis Rodenbaugh, president
some breakthrough innovations in the dairy case.
The Kemps brand introduced a smooth cottage
cheese for children. Kemps Smooth Cottage
Cheese has almost twice as much protein per
ounce as most yogurts formulated for children.
The company partnered with Hasbro to feature
characters on the packaging recognizable to children.
The
DFA also partnered with Good Culture,
a dairy brand known for its portfolio of cultured
dairy products, to bring consumers an ultrapasteurized
milk with added probiotics. The Good
Culture Probiotic Milk provides 1 billion probiotic
cultures per 12-fluid oz serving and is promoted
as a good source of vitamins A and D.
The DFA has continued to focus on sustainability
initiatives. The cooperative's farmers are
utilizing a variety of methods to protect the land
and reduce emissions,
including regenerative
Chief executive officer -
Dennis Rodenbaugh
and chief executive officer. " Yet, through the challenges,
we focused on driving performance and
greater efficiencies across the enterprise to bring
short- and long-term value to our farmer-owners. "
The global marketplace offers opportunity for
the DFA, which is taking a holistic view of its commercial
businesses to maximize the potential for
the farmer owners' milk and commercial products.
Additionally, extended shelf life and aseptic beverages
are a key focus area for achieving long-term
growth as there is increasing consumer interest in
these types of beverages.
The DFA has put a focus on developing valueadded
dairy products. In 2023, the DFA launched
68 \ October 2023
agricultural practices, renewable energy method
and anaerobic digesters. Additionally, the DFA is
beginning to recruit farms to participate in its US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Climate-Smart
Commodities grant program. Through the project,
DFA farmer-owners in specific milk sheds will be
supported with tools and incentives to further reduce
on-farm GHG emissions.
In June, the DFA withdrew its membership from
the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)
over the IDFA's petition to modify the federal milk
marketing order system. The decision to withdraw
follows a proposal from the IDFA that initially focused
on changing how to make allowances (an
estimate of dairy processing costs) are configured.
In March, the IDFA petitioned the USDA to alter
the way processors are compensated under federal
milk marketing orders.
The DFA recently expanded the roles of some
leaders on its executive team.
Martin Bates, who previously led the Ingredient
Solutions division at DFA, is now serving as
president, global relations and marketing. Additionally,
Pat Panko, executive vice president, DFA,
and president, Dairy Beverage Network, has been
appointed to oversee DFA's Ingredient Solutions
division. CP
TOP BRANDS:
LEADERSHIP MOVES:
MARTIN BATES is now serving as
president, global relations and marketing.
PAT
PANKO has been appointed to
oversee DFA's Ingredient Solutions
division.
DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA
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Corporate Profiles - 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Corporate Profiles - 2023