The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

The board of directors of St. Albans Cooperative Creamery (SACC) has voted unanimously to recommend to its membership a merger with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA). The merger proposal, discussed by St. Albans members at an informational member meeting today, reflects a desire to position SACC members for a secure, long-term future amid rapidly changing market dynamics. The proposed merger requires approval by SACC’s members, who will be asked to vote during a special member meeting in late July.

“Our board has been working nearly two years to strategically plan for the future of our members,” said Harold J. Howrigan, Jr., chairman of the SACC Board of Directors. “With increasing shifts in customer needs, an imbalance in supply and demand and a volatile milk price cycle, it is clear change is needed for our cooperative; however, with change comes great opportunity. DFA offers increased value to our members with the ability to make continued investments in operations, a clear vision for the future and the depth of leadership to carry out that vision.”

SACC has been an integral part of the Vermont dairy community for the past century, and a member cooperative of DFA since 2003. As a national dairy marketing cooperative, DFA offers SACC members milk market security, investments in a nationwide network of manufacturing facilities, access to patronage dividends and valuable member programs and services.

Conversely, the merger provides DFA members with established customer relationships, investments in critical hauling and manufacturing assets in the Northeast and increased milk marketing activities in the region.

“DFA and St. Albans have always had closely aligned philosophies and values, with both cooperatives focused on providing value to members and committed to preserving the Northeast tradition of family dairy farming for years to come,” said Brad Keating, senior vice president and chief operating officer of DFA’s Northeast Area. “With our strong history of working together, a merger is a natural evolution of our partnership.”

As part of the merger, McDermotts, a hauling company currently owned and operated by SACC, would become a wholly owned subsidiary of DFA, as would the St. Albans Cooperative Store and St. Albans Cooperative Creamery Plant.

“I have seen the dairy industry evolve and the continued need for dairy farmers to work together. DFA has been a strategic partner and I am very enthusiastic about what they will bring to our members, community and state,” said Leon Berthiaume, SACC chief executive officer.

The St. Albans Cooperative Creamery is a member-governed dairy cooperative committed to providing service, stable markets and the greatest achievable return to our members by delivering the highest quality milk, milk products and services to our customers. The Cooperative provides active leadership in the dairy industry and political environment to benefit all dairy farmers.

Dairy Farmers of America is a national, farmer-owned dairy cooperative focusing on quality, innovation and the future of family dairies. While supporting and serving 14,000 family farmers, DFA works with some of the world’s largest food companies to develop ingredients that satisfy their customers’ cravings while staying committed to social responsibility and ethical farming. For more information, please visit dfamilk.com.