Dairy Farmers of America

No foolin’ — it takes a lot of passionate people to keep dairy moving. Every single day last year, we picked up roughly 3,407 loads of milk. Over the course of the year, we processed more than 19 billion pounds of raw milk (nearly 2.21 billion gallons) into a variety of products and ingredients. That’s a lot of milk, miles and nonstop dedication. Every load represents a connection — from our farms to families coast to coast — powered by the hard work of our farmer-owners, haulers, plant teams and staff across the Cooperative. And as the love for dairy keeps growing, our work never stops. We’re #DFAProud to be a purpose-driven Cooperative bringing value to our #DFAProud family farm-owners, preserving natural resources and delivering dairy in all its delicious forms. What’s your favorite way to #EnjoyDairy?

When you open up a jug of fresh milk from our DFA farmer-owned brands, you know you’re feeding your family something that is high-quality and meets strict safety standards. We can thank dairy farmers for the high quality. And the safety? We have a lot of people to thank for throughout the dairy supply chain, but it started in 1862 with a man named Louis Pasteur. Despite what you may have read online, milk isn’t something you want to drink straight from the source. The CDC have consistently advised against consuming raw milk or raw milk products. Drinking raw milk can potentially expose you to harmful germs that pose serious health risks. Louis Pasteur discovered that heating milk to a specific temperature for a certain amount of time kills harmful bacteria like E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria and Salmonella, while preserving its nutrients and fresh taste — a process now known as pasteurization. So, next time you enjoy a glass of milk, raise a toast to Louis Pasteur and all the DFA farmer-owners and employees who take your health and safety seriously so you can enjoy the benefits of real dairy. Educate yourself on why pasteurization is the healthy choice >> https://bit.ly/4cc8Fcy.

Join the DFA team! We are hiring! You don’t need a background in agriculture to make a difference — just bring your drive, your skills and your passion to contribute. From plant floors to corporate offices, every role at DFA plays a part in getting nutritious, high-quality dairy products to families across the country and around the world. Right now, we’re hiring for roles like: Manager of Engineering – Englewood, Colo. Ag Insurance Sales Agent – Syracuse, N.Y. Privacy Program Compliance Manager – Kansas City, Kan. Whether you’re into hands-on problem-solving or behind-the-scenes strategy, there’s a place for you here to grow, lead and support our farmer-owners. Start your journey with us today >> https://bit.ly/2YXi1oL.

This National Ag Month, we honor the farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers who nourish our communities and sustain our way of life. For DFA farmer-owner Josh Snider of Snider’s Dairy in North Carolina, dairy farming isn’t just a profession – it’s a lifelong passion. "Dairy farming has held a special place in my heart for a long time, and the journey this industry has taken me on is truly amazing," he shares. From farm to table, DFA farmer-owners take pride in producing high-quality dairy that’s both good for you and good for the planet. As Ag Month comes to a close, our appreciation continues – for the dedication of our #DFAProud farmer-owners, the hard work of their teams and our dedicated employees that make it all possible.

🚨 Less than a week left to apply for the 2025 DFA CoLAB Accelerator! 🚨 This is your opportunity to scale bold ag-tech ideas that will shape the future of dairy — with expert mentorship, deep industry connections and tailored resources designed to help startups grow. 🗓️ Applications close April 1 >> https://bit.ly/4gjpSRI. From May to October, selected startups will gain access to DFA experts, hands-on education and top leaders across dairy and ag-tech. Whether you're innovating in sustainability, automation, animal health or something entirely new — we're here to help you make a real impact. Know a founder who should apply? Share this and help lead the way in agriculture technology.

It’s #NationalNutritionMonth and we all know that dairy products are a powerhouse of calcium and protein — but did you know it’s a great way to get selenium for a strong immune system and potassium for healthy blood pressure?   🔹 Selenium — Acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells and support a strong immune system 🛡️  🔹 Iodine — Essential for thyroid health, which regulates hormones that support cognitive function, memory and focus 🧠  🔹 Potassium — Helps maintain fluid balance and supports proper muscle contractions, making it key for muscle function and recovery 💪  🔹 Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) — Plays a role in cell growth and repair, promoting healthy skin and keeping cells functioning properly ✨  🔹 Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) — Helps break down carbs, fats and proteins into usable energy, keeping your body fueled and active ⚡  🔹 Vitamin B12 — Supports nerve function by maintaining the protective covering around nerves, ensuring a healthy nervous system 🧬  These are just a handful of the unsung nutrient heroes that you get from every sip, scoop, shred and spread of dairy. Things taste just a little bit better when you know they’re keeping you strong and healthy.

Water matters. For dairy farmers, it’s not just about keeping cows hydrated — it’s about making every drop count. That’s why we’re #DFAProud to partner with National Sorghum Producers and Ducks Unlimited to improve water conservation, starting in Western Kansas. In this region, water stress and the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer are major challenges to long-term sustainability. “Dairy farmers have been caring for their animals and the land for generations, and water conservation is a crucial part of that,” says Hansel New, our associate vice president of sustainability strategy and programs. “The average dairy farm recycles water about four times. Partnerships like this help us continue making progress.” Through this partnership, we’ll be exploring opportunities to help our farmer-owners use water more efficiently—from restoring wetlands to improving water retention. It’s good for farms, good for wildlife and good for the rural communities that depend on them. One solution gaining traction? Sorghum. Sorghum is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance crop that provides dairy cows with balanced nutrition, making it a sustainable and cost-effective choice for farmers looking to improve feed quality while conserving water.  By making smart choices today—whether it’s restoring wetlands, improving water retention or growing more sustainable crops like sorghum—our farmer-owners are helping ensure dairy farming remains strong while preserving our most valuable resource: water. 

Dairy farmers have been stewards of the land for generations, continually innovating to care for their cows, communities and the planet. Christian Buessing, a third-generation dairy farmer from Axtell, Kan., is carrying on that legacy — embracing sustainable practices that make a real difference. From cover cropping to water recycling and energy-saving technology, his family takes a hands-on approach to stewarding natural resources while producing high-quality milk. Christian’s passion for sustainability goes beyond his farm. As part of our online video campaign, he’s helping consumers see how today’s dairy farmers are investing in innovation to produce dairy that’s good for them and the planet. His real, relatable perspective has struck a chord with viewers, deepening their appreciation for the care behind every drop of DFA farmer-owned milk. “Rattling off all the things we do on the farm to be good stewards is the easy part,” says Christian, “Remembering them all in 15 seconds, that’s a different story. In all seriousness, though, for every dairy farmer I know, these aren’t things we do because we have to. They are things we do because we genuinely care for the land and our animals.” Viewers loved his real, relatable perspective, which, deepens their appreciation for the care behind every drop of DFA farmer-owned milk. Want to support families, like Christian’s, and enjoy sustainably made dairy at the same time? Find DFA farmer-owned brands near you >> https://bit.ly/4299nCP.

It’s #WorldWaterDay, and whether it’s milk or water, we know how to make the most of every drop. On our farmer-owners’ dairy farms, water is recycled up to four times, but the water recycling doesn’t stop there. At our dairy manufacturing facilities, we’re conserving water, too. Our dairy manufacturing plant in Portales, N.M., which produces dairy powders, faces frequent drought conditions and water restrictions, making water an extra-precious resource. The hard-working employees across our Cooperative are doing their part to save water, reduce our environmental impact and to support the local community. In 2023, DFA invested in water conservation in Portales and is now taking action across all of our 80 manufacturing plants by: 🚿 Using flow meters to find and fix water waste 🔁 Reusing water when and where we can 💦 Upgrading systems that capture water created in the manufacturing process And it’s paying off! Just last year, our Portales plant kept 34,481 gallons of water from going to waste every day — that’s enough to fill almost 42 milk tankers every week for an entire year! These efforts don’t just help lower costs; they’re part of our commitment to protecting our environment for the long haul. From the farm to the manufacturing plant to your table, we take our commitment to sustainability seriously by making every drop count.

It’s #NationalAgMonth and we’re celebrating the voices of our farm families as they share what dairy farming is really all about! "As a three-generation dairy farm, we take pride in not just producing high-quality milk but also making sure our community knows the facts about dairy farming," says, Emma Andrew-Swarthout of El-VI Farms LLC, a DFA family-owned farm in N.J. With so much misinformation running about, Emma gave us five things about dairy farms you might not have known: 1️⃣ 96% of U.S. farms are family-owned and operated 2️⃣ Milk meets strict quality standards and is tested multiple times before reaching you 3️⃣ There’s no such thing as a factory dairy farm — farmers care for their cows 24/7, no matter the weather 4️⃣ Milk often goes from farm to store in just 48-72 hours 5️⃣ Dairy farmers are committed to caring for the land, their cows and producing nutritious food for their communities From farm to table, DFA farmer-owners take pride in what they do. What other questions can we answer?