Eight predictions for the new year and beyond.
As we enter 2026, manufacturing leaders face a landscape shaped by converging disruptions: AI acceleration, geopolitical fragmentation, sustainability pressures and industrial policy.
Below are eight “burning questions” that I see defining what happens in 2026 and beyond, and why the answers matter.
The Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA), a partnership between the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), has selected 42 small and medium-sized dairy businesses across the Midwest to receive approximately $4.6 million in grants through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA). Seven companies are receiving DBIA’s Dairy Industry Impact …
With 4.3% growth, cheese category exceeds $21 billion in sales.
Cheese remains one of the strongest-performing dairy categories, with strong growth driven by simplicity, versatility, and evolving consumer preferences. Recent sales data from Circana and insights from Euromonitor show that natural cheese is gaining momentum across multiple formats, including shredded, chunk, sliced, …
The transformative technology of AI improves yield, cuts waste and solves operational challenges.
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation in food and dairy manufacturing and is increasingly being applied to solve practical operational challenges. Rather than pilot programs or theoretical use cases, processors are using AI to improve equipment reliability, reduce unplanned …
Barb O’Brien took to the stage during the dairy joint annual meetings to share a crystal clear message. Transform investments into momentum by building trust, growing demand and ensuring the future of U.S. dairy.
The dairy industry is moving through a period of rapid change, and national dairy leadership is prioritizing innovation, …
Food and beverage trends for 2026 offer an important look at where consumer demand is heading, and what that means operationally for cheese and dairy processors. Innova Market Insights’ Top 10 Trends point toward continued growth in protein-forward products, rising interest in digestive health, renewed emphasis on indulgence and tradition, and increased …
Fourth Annual Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin Report Reveals the Innovations Transforming Dairy
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) has unveiled its 2026 Wisconsin Cheese Trends Report, offering an in-depth look at the ideas, innovations, and consumer interests set to define the dairy landscape in the year ahead. In partnership with the Center for Dairy Research …
Engineers develop color-changing films and biodegradable barriers as manufacturers invest millions in production upgrades for safer food packaging.
From color-changing smart films that warn consumers of spoilage in real time to barrier materials made from mushrooms and banana waste, flexible packaging innovation is accelerating on all fronts. Researchers are pushing performance limits with graphene-like nano-coatings …
As the holiday season gets underway, dairy organizations across the United States are ramping up donations to help families facing food insecurity. While many efforts are most visible during November and December, companies and cooperatives say hunger relief is a year-round priority, reflecting the dairy community’s commitment to supporting local families.
Federal funding for dairy innovation and nutrition programs has a direct impact on operational strategy for processors, it shapes the operating environment for cheese and dairy processors across the Midwest and beyond. The renewed and expanded support for Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives, paired with full-year funding for SNAP and WIC, signals …