Episode 35 - Making Every Drop Count: How Farmers Guide And Drive Checkoff Success

02/25/25 • 18 min

Minnesota dairy farmer Charles Krause and DMI’s Jessica Learman speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about how the checkoff builds sales and consumer trust for dairy farmers and importers who fund the checkoff. They discuss the importance of transparency in dairy checkoff programs and highlight the "Making Every Drop Count" campaign, which aims to unify various checkoff initiatives and make them more visible to farmers. The new website, DairyCheckoff.com, is designed to provide farmers with easy access to financial information, annual reports, and contact details for board members.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com.

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Jessica Learman, Executive Vice President, Farmer Outreach for Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Charles Krause, Minnesota Dairy Farmer, First Vice Chair of United Dairy Industry Association, Chair of Midwest Dairy

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com.

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Jessica Learman, Executive Vice President, Farmer Outreach for Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Charles Krause, Minnesota Dairy Farmer, First Vice Chair of United Dairy Industry Association, Chair of Midwest Dairy

Previous Episode

Bonus 8 - What Is YoBark? Check Out The New Dairy Product Innovation Created By The Dairy Checkoff and General Mills Partnership

DMI’s Chris Urban speaks with DMI’s Scott Wallin about the new dairy product innovation, YoBark, created with General Mills.

YoBark targets teens and tweens who tend to leave the yogurt category due to a desire for on-the-go, shareable snacks. The product was developed through consumer insights and testing, resulting in a stand-up pouch yogurt bark that is both indulgent and has a good nutrient profile.

They will also discuss the overall partnership, including future innovations and premium yogurt offerings, emphasizing the importance of the checkoff’s science through the National Dairy Council and checkoff’s consumer insights in driving demand.

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com.

Host & Guest:

· Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.

· Guest: Chris Urban, Vice President of Global Growth Platforms & Partnerships, Dairy Management Inc.

Next Episode

Episode 36 - The Future of Milk: Innovation and Consumer Trends Reshaping Consumption

DMI’s Anne Marie Splitstone, EVP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, and Silvia Robles, VP for Growth Platforms and Partnerships, speak with DMI’s Scott Wallin about the evolution of fluid milk innovation since 2015, emphasizing consumer insights and industry partnerships.

They highlight the role of the Dairy Foods Research Center Network, which includes 150 R&D experts, in driving innovation. Key consumer trends identified include a preference for high-protein, low-sugar products and lactose-free options.

Successful products like Fairlife, which surpassed $1 billion in sales, and DFA’s Milk 50, launched with strategic packaging and positioning, are cited as examples.

The conversation underscores the importance of consumer insights, industry collaboration, and ongoing innovation in driving growth in the fluid milk category.

Tune in to find out!

To learn more about the national dairy checkoff and your local dairy checkoffs, please visit dairycheckoff.com

Host & Guest:

Host: Scott Wallin, Vice President of Farmer Communications & Media Relations, Dairy Management Inc.
Guest: Anne Marie Splitstone, Executive Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc.
Guest: Silvia Robles, Vice President, Growth Platforms and Partnerships for Dairy Management Inc.