St Albans Cooperative Creamery members approve DFA merger

Members of Vermont-based St Albans Cooperative Creamery have voted to approve a merger with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA).

The announcement comes weeks after the St Albans board of directors voted unanimously to recommend the merger. DFA said the deal reflects a desire to position St Albans members for a secure, long-term future.

As part of the merger, McDermotts, a hauling company owned by St Albans, the St Albans Cooperative Store and St Albans Cooperative Creamery plant will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of DFA.

In addition, the board of directors of St Albans Cooperative will continue to represent dairy farmers’ interests as part of DFA’s Northeast Area Council. The merger will close on 1 August.

“We are excited to welcome the hardworking members and employees of St Albans to the DFA family,” said Brad Keating, senior vice president and chief operating officer of DFA’s Northeast Area. “Together, we are committed to investing in continuing the strong tradition of dairy farming in the Northeast.”

Harold Howrigan, chairman of the St Albans board, said: “We are incredibly excited about this new chapter for dairy farmers in Vermont. We are very pleased with the outcome of today’s vote and are optimistic about the future our membership will have as DFA members.”

Last year, DFA secured a deal to acquire Agropur’s facility in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to expand its extended shelf-life capabilities and introduce aseptic processing into its portfolio.