Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association

10/14/2026

Kudos to today's WCMA Front-Line Leadership class, focused on boosting team performance. These sorts of leaders - managers and supervisors - play a critical role in retention and efficiency, and we're grateful to our training partner, Intentionaleaders, LLC, and to their employers, Alpma, Emmi Roth, Grande Cheese Company, Nelson-Jameson, Inc., Pine River Dairy, Sartori Cheese, Schuman Cheese-Lake Country Dairy, and Westby Coop Creamery. Thanks also go to Nelson-Jameson, Inc. for its generous sponsorship of today's training.

10/14/2026

Thanks go to our fellow dairy industry advocates for joining us in a call to preserve the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, and drop a new cost-share requirement that stands to kill the program. We are grateful for the positive impact of their members' voices!
Learn more here: https://www.wischeesemakersassn.org/news/dairy-industry-coalition-calls-on-usda-to-reverse-dbi-funding-change-extend-application-deadline

10/12/2026

A newly-imposed 25% funding match for the impactful Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives will mean the program's end - at a time when dairy farmers and processors need it most. WCMA is urging USDA to drop this provision - and we're grateful to have growing support from members of Congress. Read more in the link below.

Some dairy farmers and cheese makers in Wisconsin are worried an abrupt change in a federal grant program could make it tough for small operators to survive.

10/07/2026

Thanks go to the group of energetic and engaged WCMA member employees participating in today's virtual edition of Front-Line Leadership Part B: Boosting Staff Performance! Today's training participants are from Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Emmi Roth, Grassland Dairy Products, Holmen Cheese LLC, RELCO, Westby Coop Creamery, and Winona Foods.

Learn more about WCMA's Front-Line Leadership trainings and sign up now at https://loom.ly/Q0oc9I0

10/06/2026

A new USDA requirement stands to end the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives - a proven program that has invested $106+ million in 911 dairy businesses across 41 states and territories since 2018.

For the first time ever, this year, USDA is requiring the four existing initiatives, including one run in partnership between The Center for Dairy Research and WCMA, to provide a 25% cost-share - a requirement they do not have the resources to meet.

Help us save this impactful program! Contact your members of Congress through WCMA’s e-advocacy campaign and ask them to urge USDA to withdraw the 25% cost-share requirement and reissue the FY2026 funding opportunity without a match. Please click here to take action now: https://mstr.app/808eb1a3-72e5-4ffa-9059-ccf4b9599b50

10/01/2026

WCMA was happy to visit member Sartori Cheese Company’s facility earlier today and meet Coupang, a company that has helped Sartori Cheese Company get its products onto supermarket shelves in South Korea. Sartori Cheese Company, a DBIA grant recipient, has greatly increased its export capabilities in recent years. Learn more about DBIA funding services at https://loom.ly/c_Ozhsw

10/01/2026

Gatherings like the World Dairy Expo are a great reminder of the community, collaboration, and strength within the dairy industry. WCMA was pleased to see many members exhibiting at the event this week, including AMPI, Dairy Farmers of America, Inc., Foremost Farms USA, and Land O'Lakes, Inc.

10/01/2026

Kudos to WCMA member Schreiber Foods for announcing a $267 million investment to expand its Carthage, Missouri, manufacturing facility. The project, expected to open in 2028, will create an estimated 100 new jobs. To learn more, read https://loom.ly/L0oVWrc

CARTHAGE, Mo. (KOAM) -- Schrieber Foods announced on Wednesday a $267 million process cheese network expansion.

10/01/2026

Congratulations to WCMA member Novonesis on last week’s ribbon-cutting for its $75 million expansion in West Allis, Wisconsin.

This project added 50,200 square feet to its campus, bringing the facility's total floor space to 216,000 feet and increasing production capacity by 60 percent.

Bravo to the team at Novonesis on this exciting step forward, supporting exponential growth in the dairy processing community!

10/01/2026

WCMA connected with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins at World Dairy Expo today, highlighting the meaningful impact of the agency’s Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. These programs show how government and industry collaboration can support dairy businesses, drive innovation, strengthen rural economies, and build a more resilient U.S. food supply.