Milk production is getting a boost in Nebraska, with the state’s first new dairy processing facility in more than six years.
Crews broke ground this week on DARI Processing, a family-owned operation in Seward, Nebraska. The new plant will cost around $180 million. Governor Jim Pillen was on hand for the ceremony, saying the new plant will keep more commodities in the state.
DARI owners explained why the plant is needed.
“Processing across the U.S. is aging. Plants are getting older, and Todd and I look at this as a way to invest back into dairy infrastructure and bring modern technology into bottling milk. Aseptic technology is not new. It’s been around in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for about two decades and has grown in popularity there. We just haven’t seen a lot of it here in the U.S., but it’s gaining, and we believe it’s the future of milk,” said TJ Tuls.
DARI expects to process nearly two million pounds of milk each day, while creating 70 full-time jobs.