By Jamie Martin
Growing consumer demand for butter, cheese, and yogurt has reshaped U.S. milk production. Over the past decade, dairy farmers have increased butterfat levels to satisfy markets at home and abroad. Yet according to a CoBank Knowledge Exchange report, butterfat growth has surpassed protein gains, creating challenges for cheesemakers who rely on a balanced composition for quality products.
Cheesemakers need a protein-to-fat ratio close to 0.80 for ideal texture and yield. In the United States, that ratio has dropped to 0.77 as butterfat has increased twice as fast as protein. “U.S. dairy producers did an exceptional job increasing butterfat levels in milk to meet demand,” said Corey Geiger, lead dairy economist at CoBank. “For 10 years, the market couldn’t supply enough of it, and now there’s an oversupply – it’s almost too much of a good thing. Cheesemakers strive for a protein-to-fat ratio near 0.80. Anything significantly lower than that can reduce cheese quality and compromise production yields.”
The U.S. now trails the European Union and New Zealand, where protein-to-fat ratios remain steady, giving those exporters an edge. U.S. processors must sometimes add protein or remove fat to maintain efficiency, increasing expenses and impacting farmgate prices.
Price trends have contributed to the imbalance. From 2000 to 2014, protein prices exceeded butterfat, encouraging even growth. In the last decade, higher butterfat prices led farmers to favor fat-rich milk using genetics and feeding strategies. Experts say returning to balanced production will require better incentives, including cheese yield pricing.
Despite these hurdles, the U.S. dairy sector remains strong. Worldwide demand for milk components is increasing, and $10 billion in new dairy plant investments is planned through 2028. By aligning butterfat and protein growth, U.S. dairy farmers can continue to meet global demand while maintaining high standards for cheese quality and production efficiency.
Photo Credits: gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: National