Dairy Institute is the principal regulatory and legislative advocate for its members before all branches of California state government. At the same time, Dairy Institute offers a variety of member services and benefits. Dairy Institute member services are geared toward the overall goal of the organization - contributing to success of our member companies and the development of a strong, innovative and efficient California dairy industry.

While many of Dairy Institute's activities are conducted on behalf of our entire membership, individual member service is a key component of the work of Dairy Institute staff.

When members have problems with government agencies over specific regulatory issues, staff will work with the agency and the company to favorably resolve those disputes. Staff is also available to consult with members on a variety of other business-related issues. All information regarding and discussions with individual member companies are held on a confidential basis.

The following list is not exhaustive, but provides a sampling of the activities we undertake on behalf of California dairy processors and manufacturers.

• Legislative. Dairy Institute sponsors or opposes bills in the State Legislature and U.S. Congress as directed by our members. We have an excellent record achieving enactment of legislation which improves the business environment for our member companies, and defeating detrimental legislation. Dairy Institute has been successful in creating coalitions with other business organizations that are able to effectively represent our members' interests.
  
• Dairy Pricing and Policy. Dairy pricing policy in California is updated through a public hearing process. Institute Staff work to help members develop a unified position and develop well-reasoned and effective testimony in support of that position at public hearings. Our track record at achieving favorable hearing results for our members is testimony to the overall effectiveness of our efforts.
• Other Regulatory. Staff represents member interests at hearings and industry workshops related to product, labeling and food safety standards, as well as milk plant inspection, waste management, workplace safety, bio-security and environmental compliance, such as Proposition 65. We also participate in joint government/industry efforts behalf of our members such as the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shippers (NCIMS).

• Market Information. Dairy Institute provides information and analysis on the status of dairy markets as well as forecasts of dairy commodity prices, which are available upon member request.
• Industry news. Through its Dairy Notes Daily and Weekly Dairy Market Notes, Dairy Institute keeps members appraised of the current economic developments and both domestic and international industry news that enable them to accurately appraise their operating environment and make better-informed decisions regarding marketing activities and company strategy.
• Legislative news. Legislation enacted both at the state and federal level has tremendous impact on the ability of member companies to do business in California and elsewhere. Dairy Institute provides legislative updates that summarize and explain the important pieces of legislation that could potentially impact our members as they are moving through the state and federal law-making process.
• Regulatory news and information. Dairy Institute keeps members informed of potential changes related to food safety, product standards, environmental, labor, energy and dairy pricing regulation that can impact business costs. Also, Dairy Institute Staff are a ready resource to answer questions members may have about laws governing milk processing or dairy product manufacturing.
  

• Raw Product Pricing and Procurement. Dairy Institute regularly conducts a Raw Product Workshop to train member representatives on the basic aspects of dairy policy, milk pricing and pooling, and raw product cost determination. We have also organized workshops on specialized issues such as Risk Management using futures and options.
• Other Training. We have offered other training programs for our members related to e-commerce, processing quantity control, and product labeling. We organize training programs based on the timeliness of the topic and member interest.
  

• Dairy Institute employs legal counsel to represent members' interests in court actions or other legal proceedings affecting the dairy industry. Legal counsel also provides information to individual member companies upon request.
  

• We undertake special projects and work with other industry groups when there are areas of common concern where joint action is more likely to achieve effective results. Some examples are listed below. If you would like information regarding Dairy Institute's involvement in these efforts, please contact staff.
  • Community Alliance For Responsible Environmental Stewardship
  • Californians For Nutritious Milk
  • Milk Regulatory Equity Act Coalition
  • California Dairy Quality Assurance Program
  • CDFA Dairy Advisory Committee
  • California Farm Bureau Federation
  • Cheese Research and Education Fund