Research & Innovation

Dairy farmers have long committed to investing in nutrition, product development and environmental science through their checkoff. Research and science are foundational to everything the checkoff does. These are the building blocks to ensure the checkoff is future-ready and that its unified marketing plan delivers results now and far into the future. Through their checkoff, farmers and importers direct these investments on behalf of the entire category.

There are some exciting breakthroughs in health and wellness, including discoveries about dairy’s role in a child's first 1,000 days of life, from prenatal to two years old. Studies show that seven of 14 nutrients critically important to early brain development are found in dairy. The state and regional checkoff network shared this research with 35,000 pediatricians and pediatric caregivers across the country to reinforce dairy’s importance in early childhood development. The checkoff also shares important dairy-focused research findings such as these with other leading organizations consumers trust, including the National Medical Association.