Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Checkoff
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to Dairy Management Inc. and the national dairy checkoff program. Learn about 15¢/cwt funding, $400M+ annual budget, marketing partnerships,...
Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is the organization responsible for managing the national dairy checkoff program on behalf of America's dairy farmers. Established through the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983, the checkoff collects 15 cents per hundredweight of milk marketed to fund unified dairy promotion.
The checkoff represents one of agriculture's largest commodity promotion programs, with annual revenues exceeding $400 million. These funds support marketing partnerships, nutrition research and education, sustainability initiatives, and export development. Producers pay the assessment when milk is sold, with deductions appearing on milk checks.
DMI's major initiatives include partnerships with quick-service restaurants like McDonald's, Domino's, and Taco Bell that have added cheese and dairy to menu items, generating billions in incremental dairy sales. The organization funds the National Dairy Council for nutrition research and education, supports the U.S. Dairy Export Council for international market development, and operates the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy for sustainability leadership.
Governance includes the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (37 members appointed by USDA Secretary) and the United Dairy Industry Association. CEO Barbara O'Brien leads operations from DMI's headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois.
Annual reports and financial statements are published at dairycheckoff.com, demonstrating transparency in how producer investments are utilized.
Key Features
- 15¢/cwt Producer Investment: Mandatory contribution of 15 cents per hundredweight of milk marketed. Funds collected through milk handlers.
- $400+ Million Annual Budget: Substantial resources for promotion, research, and education. One of agriculture's largest checkoff programs.
- QSR Partnerships: McDonald's, Domino's, Taco Bell, and other quick-service restaurant partnerships adding cheese and dairy to menus.
- National Dairy Council: Nutrition research and education arm. Science-based information for health professionals and consumers.
- U.S. Dairy Export Council: International market development. Growing exports critical for producer returns.
- Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy: Sustainability leadership. Net Zero Initiative. Industry collaboration.
Advanced Features
- Got Milk? Campaign Heritage: Iconic marketing campaign that built dairy awareness. Foundation for modern promotion.
- Fuel Up to Play 60: NFL partnership program in schools. Youth wellness and dairy consumption.
- GENYOUth Foundation: Youth wellness programming. Building next generation of dairy consumers.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Net Zero carbon initiative. Environmental stewardship programs.
- Retail Partnerships: Grocery and retail promotion programs. In-store marketing.
- Research Investments: Funding research to support dairy nutrition claims. Science-based marketing.
Ideal For
Farm Types: All U.S. dairy farms (mandatory), All production systems
Competitive Advantages
What sets Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Checkoff apart from alternatives:
- $3 return for every $1 invested (USDA study)
- $400+ million annual budget
- Major QSR partnerships (McDonald's, Domino's)
- National Dairy Council science credibility
- USDEC export development
- Unified industry voice
- Innovation Center sustainability leadership
- Producer governance through appointed board
- Transparent financial reporting
- Long-term partnership relationships
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Checkoff:
All dairy farmers pay 15¢ per hundredweight of milk marketed. Up to 10¢ may be credited to qualified state/regional programs. Importers pay 7.5¢/cwt equivalent.
Pricing Model: Mandatory per-hundredweight assessment
Contribution is tax-deductible business expense. No opt-out available for commercial producers.
Pros & Considerations
- Pooled resources for national marketing
- Research and development funding
- Consumer education programs
- Industry-wide promotion coordination
- Strategic partnerships for dairy demand
- Producer contribution is mandatory
- Large organization with broad focus
- Individual farm impact hard to measure
- Some question checkoff effectiveness
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Checkoff on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Ongoing—checkoff deducted with each milk sale. Programs operate continuously.
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Checkoff:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Checkoff:
- How are my checkoff dollars being invested?
- What return is the industry seeing from promotion?
- How can I provide input on checkoff priorities?
- What programs benefit my farm's markets?
- How does the checkoff support exports for my milk?