Discover how Daisy Brand’s new 750,000 sq ft dairy plant in Boone, Iowa promises industry growth. But the question remains, who will milk all those cows?
Here’s some exciting news for you: Daisy Brand, LLC, a family-owned company calling Dallas, Texas its home, is making plans for a 750,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Boone, Iowa. This ambitious venture is set to create 255 new jobs in the local community, and comes with a whopping $67 million in state and local incentives. An investment that will see $627 million funneled into this plant, it promises an average employee salary of $28.85 per hour and includes health benefits. Just imagine the shot of economic vibrance this will inject into Boone city, the wider Boone county, and central Iowa as a whole.
After reading a story in the Des Moines Register stating that “it would mean more cows. A lot more cows.”
The report had the right idea. To meet the production needs of this upcoming plant, an estimated 43,000 dairy cows will be necessary. Dan Culhane, the president of the Ames Chamber, emphasized the potential for this move to breathe new life into the dairy industry in Iowa.
Today, the dairy model in Iowa draws comparisons with powerhouses like California, Texas, or Idaho. With Wisconsin losing its crown as the highest milk-producing state to California way back in 1993, other states have been jostling to fill that gap. Wisconsin still boasts under 7,000 herds, but the dairy farms in northwestern Iowa are steadily growing as larger herd sizes are becoming the norm. Most of these farms market their milk to well-known brands like Wells (Blue Bunny) and Kemps (formerly Dean’s Foods) in Le Mars.
It’s noteworthy to mention that Texas sits at an impressive third place in dairy production. Among the top performers there is South Fork Dairy Farm, located in West Central Texas. It holds the second spot for highest milk production in the country, boasting a gigantic herd of more than 59,361 cows. However, they also dealt with the first case of bird flu(H5N1) transmission to dairy cows, and the first recorded human infection in a dairy worker. While scientists assure that viral fragments found in milk are not the same as an active virus, the FDA isn’t taking any chances, promising continual monitoring of the situation.
As for Iowa, it ranked 11th in total milk production in 2023, housing about 238,000 milk cows across 1,016 farms. Adding 43,000 additional cows would signify a significant 18% increase, consequently generating manure-based electricity that could be sold back to the grid.
It’s important that Congress manages this rapid growth, as the trend toward larger farms creates evident seismic structural transformations in the labor landscape of agriculture. With livestock concentration escalating, there’s a clear and present risk for future disasters such as zoonotic diseases, antibiotic resistance, and water supply pollution. In our opinion, it’s prime time for Congress to roll up their sleeves and address these challenges, especially considering the failure to act on a bipartisan immigration bill earlier in the year.
Daisy Brand: A Brief Introduction
In a move that marks a promising new chapter for the dairy industry in Iowa, Daisy Brand, LLC – a Dallas, Texas-based family-owned company, best-known for their cottage cheese, sour cream, and dip products – has announced plans to build a massive new manufacturing plant. Stretching across an impressive 750,000 square feet in Boone, Iowa, this investment highlights the company’s commitment to reinvigorating this vital aspect of the local economy.
An undertaking of this scale is undoubtedly ambitious. The construction of the Boone Daisy plant is projected to be finished by 2027, with the full lineup of equipment not expected to be in place until 2029. Yet, the promise of growth that comes with such a project could have significant implications for the local community and for the dairy industry at large.
Perspective is gained by looking westward to California, where the dairy industry has seen substantial growth over recent years. Iowa, with its rich heritage and diverse array of dairy farms of all types and sizes, harkens to replicate this successful growth model. Dairy farms in Iowa are inextricably tied to rural life, often acting as the cornerstone of small towns and local communities. The potential impact of a plant such as this is far-reaching.
A pertinent question, however, remains. Who will milk all those cows? Indeed, a manufacturing plant of this magnitude will necessitate an increase in production across the board. It’s a task that will demand unwavering dedication and a sure-handed commitment from the generations-old dairy farms around the state, but one that may also offer abundant opportunities and rewards in return.
Successful precedents certainly exist. Take Hansens Dairy, for instance. Located near Hudson, Iowa, Hansens launched an on-farm creamery in 2004, where they pasteurize and bottle milk, and create a host of dairy products such as butter, cheese curds, and ice cream. Instances like these not only serve as testimony to the potential for growth in the industry, but also underscore the aptitude and resilience of Iowa’s dairy farmers.
There’s a sense of optimism here – a feeling that dovetails with the overarching desire to reinvigorate the dairy industry in the heartland of America. As the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center puts it, the future of dairy in Iowa is bright. And in the wake of such an announcement from Daisy Brand, it seems that the future is getting brighter still.
Unveiling Daisy Brand’s New Mega Dairy Manufacturing Plant
Indeed, the arrival of Daisy Brand’s state-of-the-art, 750,000 square foot dairy manufacturing complex in Boone, Iowa, arrives as a ray of hope for the Iowa dairy industry. This new mega dairy manufacturing plant is a momentous initiative designed to reinvigorate the local dairy industry.
Daisy Brand’s plant will necessitate an estimated 43,000 dairy cows just to meet its production demands. This indicates a significant surge in local dairy farming, potentially bringing a wave of expansion for the Iowa dairy industry while also posing its fair share of challenges. It’s a thrilling prospect, but you may also very aptly be asking: “Who will milk all these cows?”
Interestingly, this isn’t the first investment in Iowa within the dairy sector. Back in 2004, Hansens Dairy, situated near Hudson, Iowa, established a creamery right on their farm. There, they take milk, pasteurize and bottle it and create an array of dairy products, including butter, cheese curds, and flavorful ice cream. Much like Hansens Dairy, as well as the likes of WW Homestead Dairy, Daisy Brand’s dairying dynamism enhances the momentum to grow Iowa’s dairy processing capabilities to support dairy farmers of all sizes.
Although this vast new complex won’t be fully operational until 2029, with the construction expected to be completed around 2027, the anticipation is already palpable. But as Daisy Brand takes its step into the future, one can’t help but be filled with optimism for Iowa’s dairy industry prospects.
In light of California’s dairy industry growth, a similar dairy resurgence in Iowa is more than welcome. It highlights the need for a detailed focus on fostering an environment conducive to growth to secure a bright future for the dairy industry in Iowa!
Boone, Iowa: The Chosen Spot for Daisy Brand’s Expansion
You may ask yourself, “Why Boone, Iowa?” This county, tucked away in the northeast corner of Iowa, offers an idyllic setting for Daisy Brand’s ambitious project. With its lush, hilly landscapes, crisscrossed by numerous streams and rivers, and bordering the grand Mississippi, it’s an ideal setting for a dairy enterprise. But it’s not just the geography that made Boone the top choice – it is in the heart of an area teeming with dairy farms of all sizes.
These diverse dairy farms are more than just businesses. They are the lifeblood of small towns and local communities of Iowa, providing not just livelihoods, but also contributing significantly to the local culture, traditions, and identity. And now, with Daisy Brand’s entry, this dairy stronghold gets an impressive boost.
Also not to be overlooked is the rich dairy legacy that Boone, Iowa, boasts. This legacy, enhanced by initiatives such as the volunteering efforts of Jeremiah Haub, who leases calves to local 4-H club members – thereby increasing the dairy project entries at the Boone County Fair – is a testimony to Boone’s commitment to dairy, now further solidified by Daisy Brand’s presence.
The plant’s construction, estimated to complete by 2027, with all equipment in place by 2029, is a sign of good times ahead. This is not just a promise of industrial growth, but a commitment towards redefining Boone’s dairy scene – catalyzing an era of modernization, growth, and prosperity for one of Iowa’s most traditional industries.
And when the times comes, in true Iowa fashion, you can expect a grand unveiling of the plant in the form of a big celebration at the popular Iowa State Fair. After all, what better way to celebrate than with people who truly understand the value this expansion brings – the passionate members of Iowa’s dairy community, including fair regulars and the Iowa Cheese Guild. So, as we look ahead, it seems only fitting that the question is no longer, “Who will milk all those cows?” but rather, “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this exciting chapter in Iowa’s dairy history?”
Anticipated Workforce for Daisy Brand’s Dairy Giant
Understanding the pivotal role a proficient and robust workforce plays in the success of any industry is key. Particularly in the dairy industry, where the responsibility is monumental – milking 43,000 cows needed for production, to be specific. But who will take on this herculean task at Daisy Brand’s new plant in Boone, Iowa?
We’ve seen how the dairy industry operates elsewhere, like in Wisconsin. A state that heavily relies on immigrant workers due to larger herds and a shrinking local workforce. This paints a vivid picture of the potential workforce challenges that may face the new Daisy Brand mega dairy.
The silver lining here is the desire to reinvigorate the dairy industry in Iowa. State authorities and dairy stakeholders are of the united view that boosting dairy processing is necessary to support dairy farmers, irrespective of their sizes. And so the challenge is clear, and the opportunity is ripe. The mission? To create an impactful workforce solution that not only meets the needs of Daisy Brand but also contributes to sculpting a thriving dairy industry in Iowa.
Perhaps looking to existing, successful on-farm facilities, like Hansens Dairy near Hudson, Iowa, could offer inspiration. Having launched an on-farm creamery in 2004, they successfully pasteurize and bottle milk, and make butter, cheese curds, and ice cream, all with a local crew. Likewise, resources such as the Midwest Dairy Foods Research Center, can offer both insight and practical support.
A well-planned comprehensive strategy will be key to addressing the workforce requirement. One that accounts for new employment opportunities, retains current staff, and even attracts those who had previously left the industry may be just what’s needed. This could align with the overarching goal of fostering dairy industry growth while preserving the local community’s livelihood. Only time will tell how these workforce issues are addressed, but the promise of a revitalized dairy industry in Iowa is undoubtedly something to look forward to.
The Bottom Line
In the end, it’s evident that this bold move by Daisy Brand, LLC is set to boost Iowa’s dairy industry significantly. The $627 million dollar investment, along with 255 new jobs and a thriving dairy farm of 43,000 cows, undoubtedly presents a promising shift in the landscape of the American dairy industry. From the declines in Wisconsin to the growth in California, it seems now is Iowa’s moment to shine. While the challenge of managing such a vast operation looms, the support of a committed workforce and generous state and local incentives sets the stage for a hopeful future. If all goes as planned, Daisy Brand’s new facility in Boone is bound to bolster both the local economy and the company’s prodigious reputation.
