Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy Management Inc. and its related organizations work to increase sales and demand for dairy through research, education and innovation, and to maintain confidence in dairy foods, farms and businesses. DMI manages National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association, and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.

DMI, which is funded by America’s nearly 28,000 dairy farmers, as well as dairy importers, is a strategic consultant and resource to businesses and organizations in the food and beverage sector that seek to increase sales and raise their image through the innovative use of dairy and dairy ingredients. We work with dairy and food industry leaders who want to work with us to increase sales of their foods that include dairy products and ingredients to meet mutual business and consumer interests. 

How the Dairy Checkoff Works

Dairy farmers pay 15 cents and dairy importers pay 7.5 cents for every hundred pounds of milk (or the equivalent thereof) they sell or import into a dairy product promotion fund—familiarly called the “dairy checkoff.” That money—with USDA oversight and under the direction of a farmer board of directors—is used to fund programs aimed at promoting dairy consumption and protecting the good image of dairy farmers, dairy products and the dairy industry.

DMI manages the checkoff with state and regional promotion organizations and together they implement these programs across the country.

We offer experienced staff around the country who are on the leading edge of product and nutrition research, sustainability, social media, consumer and market research, menu development, product development, marketing, promotion and exporting.