US-based cooperative Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) has officially opened DFA Garden City, a new dairy ingredients plant located in Southwest Kansas.

Through a partnership between DFA and 12 of its member farms in Southwest Kansas, the new plant will support the dairy sector growth in the region and help meet the demand for US dairy in domestic and international markets.

DFA president and chief executive officer Rick Smith said: “As a cooperative owned by family farmers, we are always looking for opportunities to help grow the dairy industry and provide value to our dairy farmer owners.

“This investment not only fills an important need for the region by providing a local home for DFA members’ milk, which was previously being transported to other areas of the country, but it also supports and enhances our global ingredients strategy, which benefits all our farmer members.”

“It will recycle all the water used at the plant, which in turn will be used to water landscapes and parks throughout the city.”

The new plant, which is reported to have created 66 new jobs in the region, will be engaged in the production of whole and skim milk powder, non-fat dry milk powder and cream.

The facility receives approximately four million pounds of milk a day from regional farms and already delivered the first load of milk in late-September.

Apart from the traceable aspects of the product, DFA Garden City will also focus on sustainability by operating as a water-neutral facility.

It will recycle all the water used at the plant, which in turn will be used to water landscapes and parks throughout the city.