Delegates review results at dairy co-op annual meeting
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (March 22, 2010)—Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) finished 2009 with strong economic and political performances, say leaders of the Midwest’s largest milk marketing cooperative. The dairy farmer-owned company reported record-shattering numbers in milk volume, manufacturing and consumer-packaged products for the year.
“AMPI was well positioned to grow with its dairy farmer-owners,” AMPI President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Welch told some 400 delegates and guests gathered for the co-op’s 40th annual meeting at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. Annual member milk production rose to a record-setting 6 billion pounds.
Employees working in AMPI’s network of Midwest plants manufactured more of its core products—natural cheese, whey and butter—than ever before. Product variety and consumer-packaging capabilities attracted a broad customer base, providing a steady market for the record output.
The co-op’s diverse product line meshed well with recession-sparked consumer trends. This triggered record sales of consumer-packaged dairy products, which represented 52 percent of AMPI’s $1.4 billion in sales.
In detailing AMPI’s 2009 results, Welch said the industry suffered from depressed dairy markets caused by falling world demand and rising milk production. The additional cost of milk-producing inputs such as feed and energy resulted in Depression-era milk returns for dairy farmers.
AMPI aggressively stepped up its policy-making efforts to advocate for national policies aimed at protecting Midwest dairy farmers from the dairy market volatility experienced in 2009, said AMPI Chairman of the Board Paul Toft, a dairy farmer from Rice Lake, Wis.
“These are unprecedented times that demand the strength of AMPI. We’re proud to be taking a leadership role in securing the future of family dairy farms through positive dairy policy,” he said.
AMPI members played an active role in urging lawmakers to pass a $350 million dairy aid package and increase the Dairy Product Price Support Program for cheese and nonfat dry milk.
Other AMPI highlights include the following annual increases:
§ 23 percent in consumer-packaged cheese
§ 4 percent in consumer-packaged butter
§ 2 percent in bulk natural cheese
§ 7 percent in whey
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About AMPI: Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI)
is a dairy marketing cooperative with 3,200 member farms,
6 billion pounds of milk and $1.4 billion in annual
sales. Members operate dairy farms located throughout the
Midwest states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska,
South Dakota and North Dakota. The members own 13
manufacturing plants and market a full line of consumer-
packaged dairy products. For more information about AMPI,
visit the cooperative’s Website at www.ampi.com. |
