Dairy Diary: December business update
What’s NEW in the dairy farming world? We report on Royal FrieslandCampina’s intent to acquire Wisconsin Whey Protein, GEA’s acquisition of Hydract for energy-efficient valves, the UK launch of Hanskamp’s award-winning CowToilet to cut ammonia emissions, and Amcor and Laïta’s cheese packaging award. This and more.
Royal FrieslandCampina to acquire Wisconsin Whey Protein
Dairy company Royal FrieslandCampina N.V. has announces that it intends to acquire Wisconsin Whey Protein, a producer of whey protein isolates in the United States. Wisconsin Whey Protein will become part of FrieslandCampina Ingredients, a global business in proteins and prebiotics. As a result, FrieslandCampina Ingredients will increase its total whey protein capacity. The acquisition will enable the company to scale and extend its market-leading position in Europe and Asia into the North American market.
Green light for FrieslandCampina and Milcobel merger
The FrieslandCampina Members’ Council and the Extraordinary General Meeting of Milcobel have approved the proposed merger of the 2 cooperatives. Both bodies voted in favour by a large majority, meaning the merger will take effect on 1 January 2026. In view of the merger, Betty Eeckhaut, who will serve as Chair of the Milcobel Board of Directors until 31 December 2025, will join the Board of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A. as of 1 January 2026 and will also become a member of the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.
GEA strengthens valve portfolio with acquisition of Hydract
GEA has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Hydract A/S, a Danish specialist in water-hydraulic process valves. GEA plans to complete the acquisition by end of January 2026. With this transaction, GEA is expanding its valve portfolio for the beverage, dairy and pharmaceutical industries with a technology that can significantly reduce the energy demand required for operating process valves, thereby enabling more efficient, resource-saving process plant concepts.
CowToilet launched in the UK
A new technology, the CowToilet, is set to make its UK debut at Lamma and Dairy Tech 2026, offering dairy farmers a practical way to reduce ammonia emissions by up to a third, improve nutrient use, and enhance sustainability on-farm. Developed by Dutch agri-tech company Hanskamp, the CowToilet offers a unique solution for reducing on-farm emissions by separating cow urine and faeces, which, when combined, produce ammonia. The innovation has won 2 awards at the LAMMA Innovation Awards 2026 – Gold in the Future Innovation for Environmental Benefit of the Year category and Bronze in the Livestock/Dairy Innovation of the Year category.
Amcor and Laïta win the Zero Impact Packaging Trophies award
Amcor, a global business that develops and produces responsible packaging solutions, in collaboration with the French dairy cooperative Laïta, have been awarded in the ‘Flexible – complex packaging’ category at the 2025 Zero Impact Packaging Trophies. The recognition id for the development of a packaging for the Paysan Breton Emmental Cheese in blocks, delivering a 63% carbon footprint reduction compared to the prior structure.
FrieslandCampina adjusts protein-fat ratio for payments rewards biodiversity
FrieslandCampina has adjusted the ratio between protein and fat for milk payments from 6:4 to 5:4. This change better reflects the current market valuation of protein and fat, ensuring that milk payments are distributed fairly and in line with the market, according to the company. In addition, it has been decided to set the interim payment of the pro forma cash supplement for member dairy farmers to zero. The principle is that the full cash supplement will henceforth be paid once a year. The company has also established the Foqus planet Sustainable Development table for the next 3 years, with increased focus on biodiversity. The maximum reward for biodiversity has been raised, encouraging the use of more home-grown protein, a better nitrogen balance on farms, and extra efforts in nature and landscape management. The maximum Foqus planet bonus increases by 0.50 euros to 4.00 euros per 100 kgs of milk.
Uniform-Agri and Nedap strengthen collaboration
Uniform-Agri and Nedap are deepening their collaboration with a new integration between the Uniform-Agri herd management system and Nedap Now. This connection allows dairy farmers to access fertility and health insights from Nedap Now directly within Uniform-Agri, bringing all essential information together in one central platform. Farmers who previously linked Uniform-Agri to the classic Nedap heat detection system can now transition to Nedap Now, and all its new capabilities, without losing any familiar functionality. The integration is now available across all UNIFORM-Agri products, including HerdMetrix and FarmTell.
Annual event highlights the Friends of Expo
On 10 December, World Dairy Expo hosted its annual Friends of Expo celebration, honoring the hundreds of volunteers, paid workers, and partners who make World Dairy Expo possible. Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Friends of Expo awards. Receiving recognition this year were Jon Rasmussen, Jen Wackershauser and Emily Novinskie and Kevin Hoffman. Jon Rasmussen has volunteered at World Dairy Expo since 1996, advancing from Grounds Chair to Jersey Breed Superintendent and Assistant Overall Dairy Cattle Show Superintendent. Technical directors Jenny Wackershauser and Emily Novinskie have volunteered over 960 hours at World Dairy Expo for 12 years, directing camera ops for 3 Dairy Cattle Show livestreams from the Rush Media Trailer with 14+ hour days and passion reaching millions. Kevin Hoffman dedicates himself across World Dairy Expo, from welcoming FFA members, managing trucks/trailers, organising warehouses.
World Dairy Expo accepting nominations for 2026 Recognition Awards
World Dairy Expo is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Recognition Awards until 15 February 2026. Each year, Expo honors exceptional leaders across the dairy industry in 3 categories: Dairy Producer of the Year, Industry Person of the Year, and International Person of the Year. Organisations, academic institutions, producers, and others engaged in the dairy sector are encouraged to nominate individuals whose work exemplifies excellence, leadership, and dedication. Nomination forms are available here, or by contacting the Expo office at [email protected].
World Dairy Expo announces 2026 judges
The 8 individuals who will serve as official judges during World Dairy Expo 2026 have been confirmed. They will evaluate North America’s finest dairy cattle on the colored shavings from 27 September to 2 October. They are: David Hanson, Nicolette, Minn. (International Ayrshire Show), Richard “RT” Thompson, Darlington, Wis. (International Brown Swiss Show), Chris Lang, Big Prairie, Ohio (International Guernsey Show), Ryan Krohlow, Poynette, Wis. (International Holstein Show), Ben Wallace, Stoughton, Wis. (International Junior Holstein Show), Mike Berry, Powell Butte, Ore. (International Jersey Show), Matt Henkes, Luana, Iowa (International Milking Shorthorn Show), and Aaron Eaton, Marietta, N.Y. (International Red & White Show).
All Breeds All Britain Calf Show Holstein judges announced
Holstein UK has announced that the 2026 All Breeds All Britain Calf Show judges for the Holstein Young Breeders calf and showmanship classes have been selected. Izzy Laird (Blythbridge) will judge the National Holstein Showmanship Competition whilst David Jones (Wiltor) will judge the National Holstein Calf Show, held at Staffordshire County Showground from 30 October to 1 November.
Holstein UK President’s Medal final 3 announced
The final 3 candidates for the Holstein UK President’s Medal have been announced following the judging of essays and interviews which took place at Holstein UK headquarters on 25 November. Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) is sponsored by Semex UK and the final 3 will have the opportunity to attend the upcoming Semex International Dairy Conference taking place in January in Glasgow, when the Holstein UK president Mark Logan will announce the winner. The final 3 candidates representing their clubs are Jodie Nutsford (25, Western), Lauren Gilbert (27, Northern Ireland), and Samuel Blease (27, Lancashire).
FrieslandCampina appoints members of the Supervisory Board
As of 1 January 2026, Herman Bakhuis, Trienke Elshof, Sandra Stuijk, and Cor Hoogeveen, who are current board members of Zuivelcoöperatie FrieslandCampina U.A., will also be appointed as members of the Supervisory Board of Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.
