DOMINATING DAIRIES

Dairy Field, Nov 2004 by Smith, Pamela Accetta

Western processors pack a punch.

Dairy production in the western United States has been, in a phase of rapid expansion for quite some time now. In fact, this region is responsible for producing an abundance of some of the country's finest dairy products.

Western dairies definitely make for a dynamic and growing industry that reaches into foodservice and manufactured food products, as well as retail dairy products.

There are many factors that contribute to the success of these Western processors. For one thing, the increase in milk production, especially in the nation's top milk producing state of California, is perhaps one of the biggest trends behind the burgeoning dairy market in this region. To that end, may experts say dairy farming in the West is different from other regions of the country in that its systems are able to make a bit more money.

The healthy milk supply is a major reason many Western manufacturers are investing in new facilities or making improvements to existing ones. These companies have made tremendous capital investments over the past few years, in new plants, distribution and marketing. They have grown in sophistication and power, and by the looks of things will continue to do so.

The western United States is home to many pioneers indeed, especially when it comes to dairy foods and beverages. What follows is an exploration of some of the Western region's dominating dairies.

Royal Crest Dairy Inc. Denver, Colo.

Royal Crest Dairy is a family-owned and operated home-delivery business that has provided milk to consumers in Colorado's Front Range for nearly 80 years. With a long history of commitment to Colorado's quality of life and some of the finest healthful dairy products available, Royal Crest has grown from a small operation in Denver to include sales and distribution centers in Colorado Springs and Longmont.

The company's new state-of-the-art processing facility in Longmont opened in December 1999. The plant, an estimated eight times the size of Royal Crest's previous processing facility, is reported to be one of the most functional and appealing manufacturing sites in the industry.

Royal Crest home delivers more than just milk. The company offers more than 25 additional products including eggs, cheese, butter, bread, orange juice and bottled water. The product mix comprises mainly private label items but also includes brands such as CoffeeMate, Silk and Starbucks. Seasonal items such as lemonade and eggnog are also available.

Royal Crest All Natural Milk is rBGH-free and, when tested with organic milk, meets or exceeds organic standards for pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones, says Julie Bailey, marketing manager. Furthermore, the company's bottles are reusable and recyclable. To that end, says Bailey, Royal Crest has received numerous environmental awards and was recognized in 1999 with a Colorado Ethics in Business Award by the University of Denver.

Though not available in retail stores, Royal Crest All Natural Milk - when tested in a recent independent consumer survey - was preferred over other brands by more than 50 percent of the respondents, says Bailey.

Chocolate milk dominates as the preferred flavor among Colorado consumers, says Bailey, adding that Royal Crest processes 2% chocolate milk for home delivery in half-gallon, one-trip bottles.

"The opaque white bottle is completely recyclable," she says. "And the chocolate milk is made with real vanilla and approximately 16 pounds of real chocolate per 100 pounds of milk, creating a genuine favorite with our customers."

An additional line, Farmer's All Natural Milk, is distributed in select retail outlets in the Front Range. This product is also packaged in an opaque white bottle to minimize the harmful effects of light during transportation and storage. The milk is available in gallons, half gallons, quarts and pints.

Royal Crest owns and operates 17 milk convenience stores under the Farm Crest All Natural Milk label.

Promised Land Dairy San Antonio, Texas

Promised Land Dairy (PLD) is famous in its marketing area for producing healthy, high-quality milk products that taste great, says Gordon Kuenemann, executive vice president.

"PLD milk comes exclusively from Jersey cows, making it naturally 20 percent higher in calcium and 10 to 20 percent higher in protein, depending on the time of year, than other milks on the market," he says. "In addition, PLD milk is available in a wide range of flavors, anywhere from the extraordinary Mooberry Blueberry to the time-honored classic Midnight Chocolate. And since we believe milk should remain as Mother Nature intended, we never add artificial hormones, ensuring the product is 100 percent all natural and hormone free."

Consumers in the Western region, says Kuenemann, appear to be excited about, and place a great deal of importance on, higher-quality, all-natural products. "As a result, they thoroughly love our milk, and we are excited to be able to give it to them."

Sales do indicate every region tends to adopt a favorite flavor, says Kuenemann. "For example, Peaches 'N Cream sells particularly well in the Southeast, while Midnight Chocolate is always a favorite in all regions, especially the West," he says.