Dairy Farmers of America

Every day, DFA’s farmer-owners are #FoodHeroes, producing nutritious milk to feed families here in the United States and around the world. On #WorldFoodDay, we’re recognizing their contributions to the global food supply. Food is the third most basic human need after air and water, and yet, 733 million people go hungry every day. With unmatched nutrition, affordability and accessibility, dairy plays a crucial role in feeding the world’s population. ?? For those facing hunger and where food variety is scarce, dairy products with essential nutrients like protein, calcium and vitamin D can help meet dietary needs important for all stages of life. ?? Unlike seasonal crops, dairy is produced all year long, making it a reliable food source for the global population. ?? Through renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, water conservation and more, DFA farmers produce wholesome, nutrient-dense milk to feed the world while reducing their environmental footprint. Whether it’s a dried milk powder or concentrate, a shelf-stable dairy beverage, or even cheese and butter, we’re #DFAProud to supply high-quality, nutrient-dense dairy around the world, where it can be used in many ways.

Have you ever wondered how cheese curds are made? In honor of #NationalCheeseCurdDay, step into the DFA manufacturing plant right next door to The Creamery Utah, our retail dairy destination in Beaver, Utah, and see for yourself! (If you ever watched the documentary T.V. series How It’s Made, you’ll love this!) Want even more cheesy insights? All cheese starts as curd. They’re either bagged up and sold fresh, or, if they’re destined to become cheese, the curds are placed into a mold and pressed to form a block or wheel and aged to perfection. And, if you’ve ever wondered why cheese curds squeak, we’ll let you in on the secret. These bite-sized cheese morsels get their signature sound from a tightly woven protein network that causes the curds to bounce on your teeth with each bite creating a squeak.

Tomorrow is #InternationalDayOfRuralWomen, but we feel like that happens on dairy farms across the country every day! Monica Cody, a DFA farmer-owner and #DFACreator from Central N.Y., reflects on what it means to raise three strong daughters on the farm and how the lessons learned here shape their futures. And we can’t get over their candid reflections. “As farmer-owners of @dfamilk, each day on the farm teaches them more than I could ever put into words. Sure, I might have accidentally taught them how to swear along the way (whoops ??), but more importantly, they’ve picked up how to keep going no matter what life throws at them. These girls might choose different paths in life, but the values they’ve learned here will stick with them like grass stains on their jeans. I feel lucky to play a part in helping them grow into the amazing women they will become,” writes Monica. What’s one lesson you’ve learned from the strong women in your life?

Check out these breathtaking photos of the recent northern lights, captured by the Robbins family of North Harbor Dairy, proud DFA farmer-owners who also run Old McDonald's Farm in Sackets Harbor, N.Y. For nearly 100 years, the Robbins family has been dedicated to dairying, but moments like this remind us that the beauty of farm life stretches far beyond the parlor. The recent solar flare brought the northern lights across much of North America’s farmland and dairies. Did you catch the northern lights? Share your photos with us in the comments!

This #NationalFarmersDay, let's celebrate our dairy farmers who devote their lives to nourishing people across the country and around the world, while working hard to build a thriving business for their families.?? ? At DFA, our farmer-owners are more than just dairy farmers –– they are:? ???? Small business owners?? ?? Multi-generational (often passing down the farm for generations)? ?? Caretakers of their herd and land? ?? Community members, serving on local school boards, hosting school kids on their farms, donating to food pantries and more? ? … the list goes on and on. While milking and caring for their cows is a dairy farmer’s biggest job,?they do that and so much more — touching our lives in countless ways.?? ? When we’re grabbing lattes with friends, enjoying ice cream cones with our kids or cooking dinner with family, we get to savor the simple joys of everyday life all thanks to dairy farmers’ hard work and commitment.? ? Today and every day, thank you dairy farmers!?

It’s no secret that life can get busy. In fact, 75% of us eat meals or snacks on the go, especially during the morning or midday. But grabbing a snack while you’re running out the door doesn’t have to mean sacrificing nutrition. We're taking these insights and turning them into opportunities to increase returns for our farmer-owners — and to bring you exciting new products. Thanks to investments in innovation, DFA farmer-owned brand Dairy Pure is now manufacturing milk in shelf-stable packaging that takes the power of milk to go. Called aseptic packaging, the process works by heating milk to about 295 F and packaging it under sterile conditions, eliminating bacteria that causes milk to spoil. Milk in aseptic packaging can be stored in the pantry for up to 90 days — until you’re ready to open it up and head to your next meeting, appointment or soccer practice. Even better? DairyPure’s aseptic packaging is recyclable, so you don’t have to choose between convenience, sustainability or getting all the benefits of real milk. Packed with essential nutrients and vitamins like high-quality protein, calcium and vitamin D, real milk is an important part of ensuring that your body is in tip-top shape — especially when your schedule is packed. We are #DFAProud to continue innovating ways for everyone to enjoy the delicious benefits of real milk while supporting our family-owned dairy farms. Available nationwide, find DairyPure’s shelf-stable milk at a grocery store near you.

We’re #DFAProud to have taken the stage in Minneapolis at Reuters' Transform Food & Agriculture event with Elanco to highlight how the dairy industry is advancing food sustainability through innovation and partnerships. Jackie Klippenstein, senior vice president and chief government and industry relations officer, joined Katie Cook, Elanco’s vice president of livestock sustainability and U.S. farm animal marketing, to discuss the latest initiatives and products that can help the dairy supply chain reduce, measure and monetize enteric methane emissions, as the dairy industry works toward becoming net neutral by 2050. "Science-based solutions, technologies, and voluntary efforts, like those initiated by several of our farmer-owners in partnership with Elanco, are essential," says Jackie. "By setting proactive sustainability targets, integrating innovative feed enhancements, and helping farmers measure and capture methane reductions, we can make meaningful progress toward reducing our Scope 3 emissions. This is an important story to tell—It's about an industry leaning into its ability to deliver emissions reductions while bringing value to DFA farmer-owners, who have long championed stewardship." Learn more about our farmer-owners' collective efforts >> https://bit.ly/3yX0q4f. #TransformFood

We had a wonderful time at World Dairy Expo, last weekend, continuing its tradition as a key gathering place for the dairy community. More than 60,000 attendees traveled to Madison, Wis., to celebrate the latest innovations and products in the industry and we were #DFAProud to be part of it. Our field representatives and farm services team were at the booth throughout the week, connecting with farmer-owners and answering questions about the Cooperative. "I always look forward to attending the World Dairy Expo. It’s a great opportunity to connect with farmer-owners from my area and across different regions of DFA. Working at the DFA booth with colleagues from various parts of the cooperative allows me to meet many industry professionals throughout the Expo. I also enjoy visiting with farmer-owners who are showcasing their cattle," says Merle Bontrager, manager of member services. As always, it was a great opportunity to catch up with farmer-owners and industry advocates from across the country! Were you at #WDE this year? Let us know!

#DYK: Many kids don’t consume the recommended amount of dairy? This #ChildHealthDay, don’t forget dairy is a powerhouse of nutrients that helps kids grow strong and healthy. From building strong bones with calcium to providing energy with protein, dairy is a nutritious and delicious way to fuel their day — that’s also easily accessible and affordable! Fun ways to get more dairy into your child’s diet: ?? Pack in fruits, veggies and dairy with homemade smoothies ?? Make high-protein pancakes with cottage cheese ?? Throw a cheese stick in their lunch bag for a quick-and-easy snack. Peel or chomp — let them decide! ?? Spread yogurt on a sheet pan, top with honey and cut up fruit, and freeze to make yogurt bark As a Cooperative of family dairy farmers (and moms and dads), we are passionate about producing nutritious, wholesome, high-quality dairy to help kids and adults thrive.

This #EnergyEfficiencyDay, we’re celebrating how dairy farmers, with the support of DFA Energy, use energy-saving technology to reduce operational costs and contribute to a healthier environment. They don’t have to navigate it alone! With support from our partners, our DFA Energy team, part of DFA’s Farm Services Division, helps farmer-owners explore renewable energy options, save on energy costs, and secure funding for energy projects. Since many dairy farms are passed down through generations, farmers focus on energy efficiency and sustainability to ensure their farms remain viable for future generations. They use a variety of innovative technologies and techniques, including: ?? LED lighting: Our farmer-owners replace traditional lighting with energy-saving LED bulbs, reducing electricity consumption and costs. It also keeps the temperature down in the barn and parlor to cut down on cooling costs ?? Energy-efficient milking systems: Upgraded equipment like variable-speed vacuum pumps and efficient cooling systems help reduce energy use during milking ?? Heat recovery systems: These systems capture heat from milk cooling processes or machinery and reuse it to heat water or buildings, minimizing energy waste ?? Manure digesters: Anaerobic digesters convert manure into biogas, which can be used to generate electricity or heat, offsetting energy needs ?? Solar power: Many farms install solar panels to generate renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels ??? Automated ventilation: Energy-efficient fans and ventilation systems optimize airflow, reducing the energy needed to maintain barn temperatures ?? Insulation upgrades: Improved insulation in buildings minimizes heat loss and reduces the need for excessive heating or cooling Learn more about our farmer-owners' collective efforts at https://bit.ly/4eeNgQq.