ANALYSIS: US Dairy Herd Shows Continued Robust Growth

The USDA’s September data showed a pronounced expansion in the US dairy herd in the 24 selected states; an increase of 235,000 cows year-over-year was reported. This marked acceleration from recent months. That gain helped lift national herd counts well above 2024 levels for much of 2025.

Producers are driving growth by retaining higher and mid‑producing cows for additional lactation cycles and keeping back added heifers on the farm. Those retention choices reflect the push for many operations to produce more milk to...

Spanish Competition Authority Fines Food Firm Alimentaria Peñasanta

Spanish food producer Alimentaria Peñasanta has been fined for acquiring Spanish dairy company Lácteas Flor de Burgos without notifying the CNMC, Spain’s Competition Authority. Alimentaria Peñasanta is part of CAPSA Food, which owns Spanish dairy brands such as Central Lechera Asturiana, Larsa, or Innova Food Ingredient. Lácteas Flor de Burgos is specialized in the production of soft cheese and yogurt. 

The acquisition took place in December 2023, but Alimentaria Peñasanta did not inform the CNMC until March 2024, violating the Spanish Competence Act 2007, the CNMC said...

General Mills Sells Canadian Yogurt Business 

General Mills has sold its Canadian Yogurt Business to the French dairy cooperative Sodiaal, the US firm said. The deal includes the Canadian operations of several yogurt brands including Yoplait and Liberté, as well as a manufacturing facility in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, it said.  

General Mills is also in the process of selling its US Yogurt business to French firm Lactalis. The sale “will close in calendar 2025,” it said, but adding it was subject to regulatory approvals. 

The sale of both businesses for a combined amount of $2.1 billion was announced...