Partnerships with leading US foodservice, retail and dairy companies resulted in more than 30 new dairy-focused product launches in 2025, the Dairy Checkoff Program has revealed, DairyReporter reports.

Key points:

  • the programme’s activities generated an additional 516 million milk-equivalent pounds of demand;
  • the yoghurt category grew 8.6% and value-added milk 4.2%;
  • US dairy exports reached USD 9.63 billion in 2025, up 15% year on year;
  • the programme is funded by about 23,000 dairy farmers and importers.

Programme results

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the US national dairy research and marketing programme, said its activities generated an additional 516 million milk-equivalent pounds in 2025. It also reported 8.6% growth in the yoghurt category and a 4.2% increase in value-added milk.

Funded by about 23,000 dairy farmers and importers, the programme aims to drive dairy demand, strengthen consumer trust, expand global market opportunities and advance science and innovation.

Brand partnerships

DMI highlighted its work with Taco Bell over the past year, where Checkoff product scientists supported dairy innovation across the chain’s menu and beverage platforms, including Churro Chillers and Dirty Sodas.

The report also pointed to the success of its «We Are Family» e-commerce campaign, which generated nearly USD 70 million in additional dairy sales over two years, including a 3.41% sales lift during the 2025 campaign.

Exports and sustainability

US dairy exports reached USD 9.63 billion in 2025, up 15% from the previous year. DMI said strategic international partnerships helped generate about 1.5 billion additional milk-equivalent pounds of export volume while expanding opportunities for US dairy in established and emerging markets.

The report also detailed investments in nutrition research, sustainability and farmer engagement. More than 10,000 farmers and advisers have used the Dairy Conservation Navigator, while Making Every Drop Count content generated 17.4 million views in 2025, up 39% from 2024.

«Our responsibility is not only to put farmer and importer dollars to work strategically, but also to clearly communicate what that investment is delivering», said Marilyn Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer and chair of DMI.

«This report helps connect those investments to results and demonstrates how the checkoff is working every day to build a stronger future for dairy».

Source: DairyReporter