According to the article, the settlement involves a payout of US$24.5 million from Dairy Farmers of America and US$9.9 million from Select Milk Producers. The lawsuit claimed the cooperatives unlawfully shared pricing data to suppress milk prices across Texas, New Mexico, and other states in the region. This financial resolution, while not an admission of wrongdoing, is a significant development in the ongoing conversation about fair practices in the agribusiness sector.

The core of the dispute centered on the alleged underpayment of milk producers in key states like Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The settlement covers all farmers who supplied Grade A milk in these specific areas between January 2015 and June 2025. This resolution, although still requiring judicial approval, offers a pathway for compensation for those who claim to have been financially harmed by the alleged collusion.

For the international dairy community, this case serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of market transparency and accountability. The lawsuit, brought by farmers themselves, highlights the critical role of antitrust laws in protecting producers’ interests. It shows that even large cooperative structures, designed to benefit farmers, can face legal scrutiny over their market conduct, a key topic in dairy economics.