Your Dairy Checkoff

In this inaugural Regional Rundown segment of the Your Dairy Checkoff Podcast, DMI's Theresa Reps is joined by Nick DePalma and Kim Villani from the American Dairy Association Northeast (ADANE) to spotlight their impactful work with retailers. They discuss two major initiatives – the Dairy Aisle Performance Program and the Dairy Aisle Reinvention Program – and how these efforts drive sales, improve product availability and create better shopping experiences for consumers. From tackling out-of-stock challenges and enhancing dairy case hygiene to using data-driven insights to expand dairy shelf space, Nick and Kim share how these programs help prioritize milk and dairy products in more than 40 retail chains across the Northeast. Farmers will also hear how these strong retailer relationships benefit their bottom line and how consumer trends like protein snacking and local farm storytelling are shaping dairy's future in stores. Tune in to learn more!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest

• Host: Theresa Reps, Director of Farmer Outreach, Dairy Management Inc.
• Guest: Nick Depalma, Vice President of Retail Services, American Dairy Association North East
• Guest: Kim Villani, Senior Director of Retail Services, American Dairy Association North East

Learn About The Top Global Markets Targeted by the U.S. Dairy Export Council

DMI's Scott Wallin explores how your dairy checkoff resources are driving global demand for U.S. dairy with Becky Nyman, a fourth-generation California dairy farmer and chair of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and Rick Ortman, USDEC's Senior VP of Strategic Insights.

Rick highlights USDEC's mission to make U.S. dairy the supplier of choice worldwide—backed by rigorous market research and strategic insights while Becky shares the importance of uniting farmers, processors, and manufacturers under one global voice.

With nearly 20% of all U.S. milk production already feeding international markets, they make it clear why exports are critical to sustaining dairy businesses and attracting the next generation to the farm.

From boosting dairy demand in Mexico to building strong ties in Southeast Asia through USDEC's Center for Dairy Excellence in Singapore, the conversation reveals how mission trips, health research, and hands-on partnerships are strengthening trust in U.S. dairy across the globe.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Becky Nyman, California dairy farmer and Chair, U.S. Dairy Export Council

· Guest: Rick Ortman, Senior Vice President of Strategic Insights, U.S. Dairy Export Council

Barb O'Brien, CEO of DMI, discusses the State of the Industry report with its authors, Will Loux, analyst with NMPF and U.S. Dairy Export Council, and Mike McCully, DMI consultant. DMI commissioned the report in early 2024 and highlights the unprecedented $8-10 billion in new and expanded dairy infrastructure.

Key findings include the significant impact of new cheese plant capacity, consumer recovery from high inflation, and structural changes in the dairy industry in China. The report emphasizes the checkoff's need to invest in strategies focused on new product innovations and research, new technologies, and a strong commitment to meeting global demand, as well as the ability to adapt to changing market dynamics.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

· Host: Barb O'Brien, CEO and President of Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Will Loux, Senior Vice President, Global Economics Affairs of U.S. Dairy Export Council

· Guest: Mike McCully, President of McCully Consulting

Domino's leaders, Jim Zimmer and Kris Holley, along with DMI's Rebecca MacKay Allen, speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about the success of the Domino's Smart Slice program with schools.

They highlight the 16-year partnership, which has grown from 300 to 21,000 schools, serves over 59 million slices of pizza, and sells an additional 3 million pounds of cheese.

They also discuss future goals, including international expansion and improving pizza crust to enhance cheese sales. The long-time partnership's success is attributed to shared values and community focus between dairy farmers and Domino's franchisees.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Jim Zimmer, Marketing Manager for Domino's Strategic Sales.

· Guest: Kris Holley, Director for Domino's Strategic Sales.

· Guest: Rebecca MacKay Allen, Senior Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc.

DMI's Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships.

They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovation. Key consumer trends identified include a preference for high-protein, low-sugar products and lactose-free options.

Successful products like Fairlife, which surpassed $1 billion in sales, and DFA's Milk 50, launched with strategic packaging and positioning, are cited as examples.

The conversation underscores the importance of consumer insights, industry collaboration, and ongoing innovation in driving growth in the fluid milk category.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

• Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.
• Guest: Anne Marie Splitstone, Executive Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc.
• Guest: Silvia Robles, Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc.

Minnesota dairy farmer Charles Krause and DMI's Jessica Learman speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about how the checkoff builds sales and consumer trust for dairy farmers and importers who fund the checkoff. They discuss the importance of transparency in dairy checkoff programs and highlight the "Making Every Drop Count" campaign, which aims to unify various checkoff initiatives and make them more visible to farmers. The new website, DairyCheckoff.com, is designed to provide farmers with easy access to financial information, annual reports, and contact details for board members.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com.

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Jessica Learman, Executive Vice President, Farmer Outreach for Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Charles Krause, Minnesota Dairy Farmer, First Vice Chair of United Dairy Industry Association, Chair of Midwest Dairy

DMI's Chris Urban speaks with DMI's Scott Wallin about the new dairy product innovation, YoBark, created with General Mills.

YoBark targets teens and tweens who tend to leave the yogurt category due to a desire for on-the-go, shareable snacks. The product was developed through consumer insights and testing, resulting in a stand-up pouch yogurt bark that is both indulgent and has a good nutrient profile.

They will also discuss the overall partnership, including future innovations and premium yogurt offerings, emphasizing the importance of the checkoff's science through the National Dairy Council and checkoff's consumer insights in driving demand.

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com.

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Chris Urban, Vice President of Global Growth Platforms & Partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.

DMI's Megan Maisano and Aris Georgiadis speak with DMI's Scott Wallin about how the checkoff is sharing dairy's impact on children with the "First 1000 Days". She also explains how the checkoff is promoting this research through our nutrition and health professionals and to consumers via trusted online resource centers.

Tune in to find out!

Host & Guest:

• Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.
• Guest: Megan Maisano, MS, RDN, Director of Nutrition & Regulatory Affairs, Dairy Management Inc.
• Guest: Aris Georgiadis, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Dairy Management, Inc.

DMI's Nancy Gannon speaks with DMI's Scott Wallin about the dairy checkoff's international strategies for increasing U.S. cheese exports globally, focusing on partnerships with pizza chains like Pizza Hut.

In Indonesia, Pizza Hut's innovative Limited Time Offers, such as the "Cheese Overflow" and culturally relevant Ramadan campaigns, have boosted cheese sales.

In Japan, Pizza Hut's monthly "Hutto Day" and a 30% increase in cheese usage on pizzas highlight the growing demand for U.S. cheese.

Tune in to find out more!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Nancy Gannon, Vice President of Global Growth Platforms & Partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.

Barb O'Brien, CEO of Dairy Management Inc., and Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of DMI, discuss the "dairy renaissance" in US, driven by increased consumer engagement, health professional recommendations, and innovative social media campaigns.

O'Brien emphasizes the "Now, Next, Future" strategy, with the "Now" focus on immediate results, "Next" on ongoing science and partnership investments, and "Future" of long-term industry growth strategies.

They also stressed the importance of national and local collaboration, ensuring efficient use of funds and maximizing impact.

Tune in to find out more!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

· Host: Marilyn Hershey, Pennsylvania dairy farmer and Chair of Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Barb O'Brien, President and CEO of Dairy Management Inc.