Effective today, the Alliance of Western Milk Producers, a coalition of California dairy processing cooperatives representing 60 percent of California’s milk, will cease to function. The Alliance members, California Dairies, Inc. (CDI) and Dairy Farmers of America Western Area (DFA), have determined that a formal organization is no longer necessary to accomplish a concerted effort of California cooperatives.

“As successful as the Alliance has been, the leadership of CDI and DFA has concluded that the ability to collaborate and communicate is most efficiently and effectively achieved through a less formal and more flexible structure. I look forward to effectuating this new approach to meet the mutual challenges facing the members of CDI and DFA.”

Formed in 1991, the Alliance has represented cooperative interests and its producer members to the California legislature, at California Department of Food and Agriculture regulatory hearings and through participation in organizations (i.e., Dairy Cares and the California Environmental Justice Fund) that seek to improve the business environment for California dairy producers.

Since its inception, the Alliance has found success in many areas including, but not limited to, its use of Capper-Volstead Act protections to form joint marketing agreements to lessen the competition among California cooperatives and its vigorous efforts to protect California milk standards from out-of-state attacks.

CDI and DFA will carry on the work of the Alliance using less formal methods to consult and coordinate on issues that affect California cooperatives and its members. CDI and DFA will each continue their active participation in Dairy Cares and the California Dairy Environmental Justice Fund. PD

—From California Dairies, Inc. news release