It’s Called Bilk

The son of a liquor store manager in Nakashibetsu, Japan came up with a solution to an oversupply of milk in the dairy farming community. It’s being used as an ingredient in beer. Local brewery Abashiri Beer was convinced to give it a try, and came up with a drink they call Bilk made of 30% milk to replace some of the barley. In a tasting session, Bilk was described as sweet and pleasant.

Mozzare Lactalis

The Lactalis American Group plans to buy Concord, California-based cheese maker Mozzarella Fresca. The small, award winning cheesemaker would continue to operate under the current management team. This acquisition will create a third subsidiary in addition to the two existing U.S. operating companies: Sorrento Lactalis and Lactalis USA.

Dean Foods

Dean Foods posted fourth-quarter net income of $76.3 million, up 9% from the fourth quarter of 2005. The Dairy Group grew full-year fluid milk volumes by 2% in 2006 and increased operating income by 6%. WhiteWave Foods drove operational efficiencies that resulted in 21% operating income growth for the year.

AMPI Cass-Clay Merger

Cass Clay Creamery Inc., and Associated Milk Producers Inc. have approved a merger plan. The merger will create a farmer-owned dairy marketing company with more than $1 billion in annual sales, and a complete line of dairy products for regional and national markets.