Steady increasing milk production from Michigan dairy cows continues to pressure processing facilities and no updates have been made on the new cheese plant expected to relieve some of the burden.
Irish-based Glanbia, along with Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association and Foremost Farms USA, announced at the beginning of this year they would partner on building a new cheese plant in Michigan which could process up to eight million pounds of milk per day.
Work continues on the project, but sources say the location for the $400 million facility is still uncertain. The partnership plans to start construction by the second half of 2019.
Michigan milk production during April increased more than four percent to 941 million pounds, with the average milk production per cow totaling 2,215 pounds, the most in the nation.
Representatives of Michigan’s dairy processing industry are meeting in Lansing today for Dairy Foods Awareness Day at the Capitol. Representing nearly 90 dairy processors, the event has been taking place for more than 20 years. Governor Rick Snyder has also declared June 7 as Michigan Dairy Day to coincide with the event.
Michigan’s dairy industry contributes almost $15 billion annually to the state’s economy and ranks 5th for annual milk production.
Source: Brownfield