Partnership will introduce the first Amul branded fluid milk products in the United States market.

NOVI, Michigan – Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA), America’s tenth largest dairy cooperative, announced a partnership with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), the world’s largest dairy cooperative. This partnership between the two organizations will bring GCMMF’s Amul branded fluid milk products to millions of Americans.

Amul manufactures a wide range of branded milk and milk products in India and exports them to more than 50 other countries around the world, including the U.S. Owned by 3.6 million dairy farmers in India, the Amul brand is one of the world’s fastest growing dairy brands and India’s largest consumer products group, generating more than $10 billion annually.

“This partnership with Amul allows us to work with another cooperative to help them grow their brand in the United States, benefitting not only our own dairy farmer members, but those in India as well,” MMPA President & CEO Joe Diglio said. “MMPA’s strategic partnership with Amul will continue to enhance MMPA’s growing and diversified product mix while utilizing our state-of-the-art technology.”

MMPA’s caseless milk packaging design and proprietary fluid milk technology allow Amul to market fluid milk in specialty stores throughout the Midwest and East Coast with 6%, 4.5%, 3.25% and 2% fat levels under their brands Amul Gold, Amul Shakti, Amul Taaza, and Amul Slim n Trim milk, respectively. The collaboration brings together MMPA’s unique technology capabilities and high-quality member milk with the Amul brand’s rapidly growing and well-known, international reputation for premium dairy products.

Amul’s partnership with Michigan-based MMPA is a continuation of the brand’s ties to Michigan. Dr. Verghese Kurien, known as the Milkman of India and the founder chairman of GCMMF, is a Michigan State University alumnus and credited for the overall success of India’s dairy industry.

“We are very honored and pleased to enter into an association with MMPA, a very respected 108-year-old dairy cooperative. This association will ensure all our American and Indian consumers will be nourished and energized with the goodness of Amul Milk,” Amul Managing Director Dr. Jayen Mehta said. “This is the first time that Amul fresh milk is being launched anywhere outside India. It is our great pleasure to bring the taste of India to the world, in alignment with the vision of our Hon Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to make Amul a global dairy brand.”

The Amul partnership was announced to internal stakeholders during the 108th MMPA Annual Meeting on March 20, 2024. Pictured (L-R): Brad Parks, MMPA Director of FP&A and Business Development; Sudeep Jain, MMPA Director of Quality; Doug Chapin, MMPA Board Chairman; Joe Diglio, MMPA President & CEO; Dr. Jayen Mehta, Amul Managing Director; Shashank Shah, Amul Sales Manager; Sheila Burkhardt, MMPA Chief Corporate Affairs Officer; Greg Soehnlen, MMPA Chief Operating and Business Development Officer.

About Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA)
The Michigan Milk Producers Association is a member-owned and operated milk marketing cooperative known for producing high-quality, award-winning dairy products. Established in 1916, MMPA is the 10th largest U.S. dairy farmer-owned cooperative serving members in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Wisconsin. At MMPA, commitment to milk quality begins on the farm and extends through all four of their SQF version 9.0 certified processing facilities: a cheese plant in Indiana, a dairy product plant in Ohio and two dairy ingredient plants in Michigan.

About Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul)
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, (Amul) based in Anand, Gujarat is the world’s largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative. It is owned by 3.6 million dairy farmers and procures 30 million liters of milk every day and processes it across 100 dairy plants in India and markets more than 50 categories of products like Amul Milk, Amul Butter, Amul Cheese, Amul Ice Cream, among many others. Amul products are market leaders in India across all categories of dairy products in India. Amul is the most trusted food brand of India and is also known for its Amul Topical campaign, the longest running advertising campaign in the world.

 

Photo Credit: Hoard’s Dairyman

NOVI, Mich.— Nine Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) dairy farms were awarded National Dairy Quality Awards by the National Mastitis Council (NMC). Recognized during the NMC Annual Meeting today in Dallas, Texas, these MMPA members were among 39 nationally recognized farms in the annual award program and were selected from a pool of 85 applicants nationwide.

One MMPA farm earned the highest honor, which was granted to only six dairy farms in the U.S. The platinum award winner was the Michigan State Dairy Teaching and Research Center in Lansing, Michigan. MMPA farms also won two gold awards, three silver awards, plus three honorable mentions.

“MMPA’s members exemplify an unparalleled commitment to milk quality within the dairy industry. Their dedication to animal care, meticulous attention to farm details, and ongoing efforts result in the production of some of the finest quality nationwide. The notable representation in this year’s NMC National Dairy Quality Awards is a clear testament to the relentless hard work of our members and the devoted field staff in upholding excellence,” Ben Chapin, Director of Member Services said.

MMPA offers a portfolio of member services to help members produce the highest quality milk possible, with field representatives working closely with each member to achieve quality goals. MMPA also offers a quality premium incentive for its members producing higher quality milk. Overall, MMPA members’ milk quality continues to be impressive through the years, with somatic cell counts (SCC), a key milk quality indicator, reaching impressive lows in 2023. MMPA offers its own quality award program and this year presented awards to 295 member farms for the production of outstanding quality milk over the last fiscal year.

MMPA’s representation in the NMC National Dairy Quality Award Program further underscores the hard work of the cooperative’s farms while competing against other well-performing farmers across the country.

NDQA judges considered many criteria when reviewing finalists’ applications. In addition to milk quality indicators, judges looked at specific details about each operation, including milking routine, cow comfort, udder health monitoring programs, treatment and prevention programs, strategies for overall herd health and welfare, and adherence to drug use and record keeping regulations.

This year’s NDQA sponsors included Boehringer Ingelheim, GEA, Conewango, Cargill, and Hoard’s Dairyman and NMC. NMC is an international professional organization, based in Minnesota, devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality.

 

Platinum

  • Michigan State University Dairy Teaching and Research Center, Lansing, Michigan

Gold

  • Garlomar Farms (Gary Zuiderveen and Christ Martz), Falmouth, Michigan
  • Horning Farms (Earl, Jeffrey, Lynda and Mason Horning, and Katelyn Packard), Manchester, Michigan

Silver

  • Clearview Dairy Farm (Paul, Betty, and Brian DeMann), Martin, Michigan
  • Schultz Dairy (Dave and Kelton Schultz), Sandusky, Michigan
  • Evergreen Dairy Farm (Kris and Carla Wardin), Saint Johns, Michigan

Honorable Mention

  • Slater Farms 88th (Allen and Aaron Slater), Holton, Michigan
  • Hartland Farms (Brad, Burke, Chad, and Nick Hart), Clayton, Michigan
  • Ritter Farms (James, Valerie, Brad, and Tonya Ritter), Byron, Michigan