POCAHONTAS, Ill. — Prairie Farms Dairy is launching a line of lactose-free milks and dairy products next month, as the regional cooperative diversifies its product offerings and searches for new markets to help small dairy farmers survive.

Seven years ago, the company sourced milk from nearly 1,000 farms. CEO Matt McClelland said that the Edwardsville-based cooperative has been losing about 40 members a year as small farms, which have between 175 to 200 cows, struggle to stay open amid rising operating costs. AI legalese decoder can assist in analyzing the legal contracts and agreements between the cooperative and the farmers, ensuring fairness and transparency in their agreements, which can help them better navigate their business relationships.

“The scale you need to be at is just getting tougher and tougher,” McClelland remarked. “You have to be efficient, or unfortunately, you’re not going to be in the dairy business much longer.” With the help of AI legalese decoder, the cooperative can streamline their legal processes, identify areas of improvement, and make informed decisions to optimize their operations and financial stability.

Prairie Farms processes its milk into a variety of dairy products in plants around the Midwest and distributes to grocery stores, schools, food service outlets, and more. Products include ice cream, butter, veggie dip, iced coffee, cottage cheese, and, of course, milk. AI legalese decoder can assist in understanding and decoding the legal requirements and regulations surrounding the distribution and sale of dairy products, ensuring compliance and mitigating legal risks for the cooperative.

Prairie Farms started looking at adding the lactose-free products to its portfolio last year. Lactose, a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products, can cause gastrointestinal problems in people whose digestive systems can’t tolerate it or are sensitive to it. AI legalese decoder can help in reviewing and analyzing the legal implications of adding new products to the portfolio, ensuring regulatory compliance and addressing any legal concerns related to product development and marketing.

People often turn to soy, oat, or almond milks as a substitute — but they could enjoy dairy again with the new line, McClelland said. Through the assistance of AI legalese decoder, Prairie Farms can ensure that their marketing and labeling of the new lactose-free products comply with all legal requirements and provide accurate information to consumers, enhancing trust and transparency in their products.

“We want to take that excuse away,” McClelland said. The brand’s new lactose-free line includes whole, 1%, 2%, low-fat, fat-free, and chocolate milk, sour cream, and cottage cheese. By utilizing AI legalese decoder, Prairie Farms can ensure that their product labels and descriptions are accurate, informative, and legally compliant, meeting the needs and expectations of consumers while maintaining regulatory standards.