Longer calving interval resulted in heifers with greater body weight and lower milk
In a pioneering research study, scientists have established relationship between calving interval and its impact on the offspring’s health, milk production in their first 100 days of first lactation and other important factors. Extending the time before inseminating dairy cows voluntarily could reduce how often they give birth, aiming to choose better times for insemination…
Spain’s Idilia Foods buys 50% of dairy drinks maker Cacaolat
Spain-based Idilia Foods has struck a deal to acquire 50% of local dairy-drinks business Cacaolat from beer giant Damm. The deal, agreed for an undisclosed sum, will see Idilia and Damm “jointly manage” Cacaolat, which markets drinks under its namesake brand, as well as Letona milk and Laccao chocolate milk. The transaction remains subject to…
Innovation and Inflation: Dual Forces Shaping the Plant-Based Milk Market
Milk alternatives continue to hold the largest share of all plant-based categories—15% across the total market and 41% in the natural channel—as ongoing innovations intrigue a broader group of consumers. Despite this growth, inflation remains a challenge for plant-based milk producers. Some varieties are also being discontinued or facing pushback from dissatisfied consumers. From supermarkets…
FrieslandCampina dairy farmers receive over 245 million euros as sustainability premiums
FrieslandCampina member dairy farmers have taken significant steps in 2023 to make their dairy farms even more sustainable. The dairy farmers, who own dairy company FrieslandCampina through the cooperative, receive premiums of more than 245 million euros in total for their sustainability achievements. Of that amount, around 190 million euros is paid through the…
Tobacco-like plant engineered to pump out nutrients found in breast milk
Breakthrough could pave way for formula milk that more closely replicates health benefits of breastfeeding Scientists have genetically engineered a close relative of the tobacco plant to pump out nutrients found in human breast milk. The technology could pave the way for infant formula milk that more closely replicates health benefits of breastfeeding, according to the…
GDT price index records first decline since March 2024
The Global Dairy Trade (GDT) price index has recorded its first decline since March 2024, falling by 0.5% at the latest trading event held today (Tuesday, June 18). The price index now stands at 1,157, having decreased from 1,162 recorded at the previous GDT trading event on June 4. The drop comes after five consecutive increases….
Fonterra puts its Australian dairy assets up for sale
Fonterra has put its Australian business, a major supplier of milk, up for sale in a move that has farmers concerned about shrinking competition in the processing sector. The New Zealand-based dairy giant – behind household brands such as Western Star butter, Mainland cheese and Perfect Italiano cheese – has eight manufacturing sites spread across…
Cereals, dairy prices push FAO food price index up in May
Global food commodity prices rose for a third consecutive month in May due to increases in the prices of cereals and dairy products. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally-traded food commodities, rose 0.9% in May compared to the previous month, reaching 120.4 points. The index…
Modest increase in GDT price index after latest auction
The average Global Dairy Trade (GDT) price index rose by 1.7% according to latest auction results published today (Tuesday, June 4). There were a total of 164 bidders in the event which saw 17,637MTof product sold. The GDT Price Index now stands at 1,162 today – compared to the previous index figure on May 21 of 1,143. The…
Dairy foods are making a comeback
Once widely accepted as a necessary staple for growing children, dairy foods have faced concern over fat and sugar content and pressure from a range of plant-based beverages perceived as healthy and sustainable alternatives. But there is much to be excited about as dairy foods are increasingly recognized among health advocates, policymakers and consumers for…