Danone North America has launched the Remix sub-brand for three of its yogurt brands that features dual compartments for yogurt mix-ins with the goal of increasing consumption occasions beyond breakfast as US "consumers are moving (away from distinct meals and) more towards snacking," said Rafael Acevedo, president of yogurt for Danone North America. The move is "also an opportunity to recruit more people into our brands, and we are seeing this (as) a great way to bring younger consumers into the category," Acevedo said.

Dairy prices should rise this year compared to 2023 due to a global decline in milk production, strong demand from Mexico and a possible increase in exports to other countries, said Lucas Fuess, senior dairy market analyst at Rabobank. Sales growth for yogurt and butter is offsetting the drop in fluid milk sales with demand for butter "almost off the charts" due to growing consumer perception of it as a healthy fat, said Fuess.

The latest activation in Kraft Heinz's "La Dolce Velveeta" campaign is a "Velveeta Gold" hair dye that transforms tresses into the cheese's signature color. Actor Julia Fox showed off her "Velveeta Gold" hair at a New York Knicks basketball game, saying, "[I]t's a look I can totally get behind."

Missouri-based Hiland Dairy has added lactose-free milks to its portfolio as "a direct response to the evolving dietary needs and health trends of today's consumers," said Sarah Carey, marketing manager. The lactose-free lineup features whole and 2% varieties.

Publix is opening six new locations in Florida this month along with another store in Alabama, with stores ranging in size from 25,740 square feet to 54,964 square feet. Earlier this year the grocer also expanded into Kentucky as its eighth state of operations, and the company has opened nine stores in Florida, Georgia and Tennessee since the beginning of February.

Walmart is opening up access to its retail media business to smaller marketers, international suppliers and "non-endemic" marketers who don't sell through Walmart stores. Walmart Connect will enable search ads against brand terms, increase access to measuring how online advertising is affecting in-store sales, enable in-store campaign management through the Walmart Ad Center platform and expand its Roku and TikTok pilots in shoppable advertising to more advertisers.

Michigan and West Virginia have joined a growing list of states that are considering the sale of raw milk. Public health officials warn against raw milk consumption -- especially with young children -- as the absence of pasteurization could result in parasites, E. coli, salmonella and/or listeria.

A person in Texas who had contact with dairy cows suspected to be infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza has been diagnosed with the virus, possibly marking the first time the pathogen has been transmitted to a person from another mammal, health officials say. Eye redness was the patient's lone symptom, antiviral medication appears to be effective, and the risk to the public is low, health officials say.

Nigeria is on track to become the world's third-most populous country, with an expected 400 million people by 2050, making it attractive to global brands despite high inflation and a local currency that's falling against the dollar. While some companies like Walmart have exited the market, Nestle, Unilever and others are working with local suppliers to manufacture and sell products.

Highland cow Rocko has captured hearts on social media thanks to a recording posted by his owner that captured his mealtime happy dance. The dinner favorite that inspires the jumping for joy? Pumpkin.

After growing up on nearly 200 acres of farmland in Northeast Georgia where I was surrounded by cows and corn, I earned a master's degree from the University of Georgia and started a career in journalism that now spans more than two decades.

I joined SmartBrief in 2021 and now edit multiple food and beverage briefs, as well as two marketing briefs. If there is dairy industry-related news you would like to see covered in this brief, please reach out to me via email. I would love to hear from you and welcome your suggestions and comments.