Dairy thoughts

Dairy Foods, April, 2002 by David Phillips

Some fairly random thoughts on the dairy industry and Dairy Foods:

In answering a letter of concern from a reader recently, I found myself thinking about Dairy Foods' role in the industry. The magazine is here to tell the stories of the industry and to help dairy processors stay informed about news and issues that affect their businesses, I concluded. The reader was disappointed that we featured a soy beverage product in our New Product Review. I told him we routinely inform our readers about competitive products, and we would continue to do so. In fact, in this issue we have a brief news item about Minute Maid adding Vitamin D to orange juice. Not all news is good news.

We keep asking when is someone going to put soy in cow's milk?

Anyhow, it was nice to have a letter to answer, and it was the second one in a week. The other letter had to do with last month's editorial on the westward migration of the dairy industry.

That brings us to another topic -- the role of the reader. You are the consumer of our product, and we want to know if we are giving you what you want. So feel free, or even obligated to drop me an e-mail anytime you've got an opinion on that subject. Have you got an opinion on an industry issue? Why not consider contributing a guest editorial? Call me and I'll tell you how.

Speaking of readers, I had a chance to meet some of you in person recently at the All Star Dairy Association Conference in Marco Island, Fla. One fellow from a dairy in Pottsville, Pa., stepped on my wife's foot during a sailboat outing. No harm was done. And he ingratiated himself later that night by sharing with her a special concoction of his dairy's buttermilk and orange juice (she said it reminded her of Kemp's Yo-J).

He seemed like a real character, and I'm getting the impression that there are some characters in this business.

During a tribute to John Utterback, Carl Colteryahn Jr. of the Pittsburgh dairy of the same name, mentioned that it was nice to see a number of the three-generation dairies represented at the conference. I couldn't agree more. The tribute also gave me a chance to learn more about a man who has been such a big part of the industry. Quite a character himself, from what I learned. I would have loved to have met him before he fell ill. Mr. Utterback's wife, Jan said she reads him letters regularly, so those who know him should keep writing. You can send them in care of All Star Dairy Association, PO Box 911050, Lexington, KY 40591-1050.

The stories, they never seem to stop. This month we have a great one about the cultured product segment, and drinkable yogurt is the particular focus. We also have a story on The Dannon Co.'s plant in West Jordan, Utah, and a report on a Dairy Foods survey regarding replacement parts.

The dairy industry is changing, but hopefully there will always be a place for characters like John Utterback and the fellow from Pottsville, Pa. And hopefully no one will ever manage to take the fun out of it.

To reach me, write Dairy Foods

1050 IL Route 83, Suite 200, Bensenville, Illinois 60106

Phone 630/694-4341

Fax 630/227-0527

phillipsd@bnp.com