Dairy Marketing Services (DMS) is a milk marketing organization formed for the purpose of creating efficiencies and reducing costs of milk assembly, field services, and transportation. It serves farmers by working to streamline the milk marketing system, and serves processors by being better able to meet their needs. DMS markets milk for a broad base of dairy farmers – including both independent producers and members of cooperatives. Individual producers and participating cooperatives which market their milk through DMS retain their own identities and benefits. Working with DMS enables these groups and individuals to realize cost-savings in the areas of field services, hauling and administration. As part of its focus on efficiency, DMS looks closely at transportation and works with haulers to keep their costs down. For example, in October 2002, DMS introduced a hauler purchase program that allows haulers to take advantage of group buying rates on tractors, tires, parts and more. Additionally, DMS places great importance on management of its field service representatives as they work most closely with producers. Field representatives are provided with consistent training, access to up-to-date industry information and other valuable tools. DMS’ major customers include Kraft Foods, Saputo, Sorrento Cheese, Dean Foods, Leprino Foods, Great Lakes Cheese, HP Hood, and . In addition, DMS supplies many smaller fluid and manufacturing customers. The Formation of DMS This milk marketing organization was established in 1999, through an agreement between Dairy Farmers of America, Inc. and Dairylea Cooperative Inc., to ensure that Northeast dairy producers have a superior market and return for their milk. Since its inception, DMS has taken on milk marketing for nearly 2,100 independent producers and 20 regional/local cooperatives from across the Northeast. Most recently, the organization has expanded its operations nationally. Currently in the Northeast, DMS markets approximately 16 billion pounds of milk produced by more than 9,000 farms and manages a hauling system of 170 contract milk haulers carrying more than 850 loads per day.

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