Foremost Farms USA, Baraboo, Wis., announced plans to build a dairy processing facility in Greenville, Mich.

The 96-acre property is scheduled to be operational in 12-14 months, and would receive up to 6 million pounds of raw milk per day. Foremost Farms would initially process milk solids for internal use in farmer-owned production facilities in the Upper Midwest, and for sales to customers and to strategic alliance partners.

“Foremost Farms’ executive management and board of directors plans to strategically build this facility in Greenville in order to control our own destiny in Michigan and unify our 7-state membership,” says Michael Doyle, president and CEO. “All of our members produce high-quality milk, and this facility is part of the plan to optimize that value today and into the future. Greenville is located just 30 miles west of the center point of our member milk in Michigan. It is an ideal location for us, and we look forward to moving ahead with a future dairy processing facility.”

“It is our goal to continue to work with our strategic partners/alliances like we have established in the region with Michigan Milk Producers Association at Constantine, Mich., to maximize dairy farmer investments, stabilize the regional milk market and add value for all producers in this market,” adds Doyle.

Phase 1 of the project would provide the base to start a dairy processing “campus.” Foremost Farms is engaged in preliminary talks with companies interested in value-added production facilities/capacity in alliance with Foremost Farms.

“Our board of directors is looking forward to seeing this project become a reality,” says Dave Scheevel, chairman. “The move effectively incorporates our Michigan member milk production into our core manufacturing business with a path to growth and stability in the region and for all Foremost Farms members.”