Checkoff’s Protein Strategy Built on Decades of Research

Protein is having a moment.

Consumers are looking for protein in nearly every aisle of the grocery store. They’re choosing foods and beverages that support muscle health, healthy aging and overall wellness. The rapid growth of GLP-1 medications has further increased interest in nutrient-dense foods that help people get more from every bite.

The dairy checkoff is well prepared for this time, thanks to decades of research investment and the talent of the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) Product Science and Research Team.

At the heart of our work is a simple question: What does the industry need today – and what will it need tomorrow?

That question has guided our team’s strategy for years, helping position dairy and its protein content as a leader in today’s conversation.

One of the strongest examples is milk protein concentrate (MPC).

Years ago, MPC wasn’t produced in the United States. The checkoff invested for nearly a decade in research with university partners to develop the science, processing technologies and published research needed to make domestic production possible.

Once the technology was proven, the research was shared with processors, and many embraced the opportunity.

Today, MPC is an essential ingredient across a range of dairy and food applications, generating an estimated $3.5 billion in U.S. sales and creating new markets for milk components. What began as long-term research evolved into significant category expansion and market impact, creating value for farmers while strengthening the competitiveness of the U.S. dairy industry.

Whey protein is a similar story.

There was a time when whey was considered a low-value byproduct of cheesemaking and was even spread across fields to discard it. Today, the global whey protein market is valued at $13.5 billion and is fueling everything from ready-to-drink beverages and sports nutrition products to high-protein snacks.

Years of checkoff-led research helped improve whey protein’s functionality, taste and stability, making innovations possible, including clear protein beverages and shelf-stable drinks with high levels of protein and great taste.

These examples reinforce an important goal of our team: we want to take research off the shelf and put products on the shelf.

When companies have the science, technology and technical expertise, they can create value for consumers. That’s why our team works with processors, manufacturers and entrepreneurs to move discoveries from the laboratory into commercial applications. Through scientific conferences, technical workshops, product prototypes and one-on-one collaboration, we help transform research into reality.

That same philosophy continues to shape our work today.

Protein remains a high priority because consumer needs and scientific understanding continue to evolve. Our researchers are exploring ways to improve protein functionality, better understand milk peptides and identify opportunities to support healthy aging, sports performance and the nutritional needs of people using GLP-1 medications.

Innovation also means reimagining familiar dairy foods.

This year at Natural Products Expo West – one of the nation’s largest trade shows for natural and emerging consumer products – DMI showcased cottage cheese ice cream that our team developed. The product demonstrated how dairy’s naturally high-quality protein can inspire new applications that align with consumer preferences. It generated strong interest and reinforced that innovation can come from rethinking products consumers already know and love.

Supporting all our work is our greatest competitive advantages: the checkoff-funded Dairy Research Center Network.

The network – created by farmers more than 35 years ago – brings together six dairy research centers, 24 universities and more than 130 experts who work alongside our team to solve industry challenges.

Over time, that collaborative approach has made DMI a trusted scientific resource for the broader industry. Companies routinely seek our expertise to solve technical challenges, explore new product concepts and identify emerging opportunities because they know our work is grounded in sound science and focused on practical solutions.

Research requires patience, discipline and a willingness to invest long before the results are visible. That commitment has positioned the industry to capitalize on today’s demand for high-quality dairy protein while continuing to explore what’s next.

The protein story is still being written.

Thanks to continued investment from farmers and importers, along with the work of the DMI Product Science and Research Team and our university partners, we are positioned to create more opportunities that deliver value.

To learn more about your national dairy checkoff, visit DairyCheckoff.com or to reach us directly, send an email.