1955

The Northern Ireland Milk Marketing Board is formed, a producer-run entity aimed at controlling milk production and distribution.

1958

To this day, Dromona butter is only ever churned in County Antrim and cheese crafted in County Tyrone using fresh local milk from grass fed cows.

1965

Spelga yogurt is brought into the marketplace, broadening the company’s dairy portfolio and marking the arrival of one of Northern Ireland’s most loved brands in the yogurt category.

1995

United Dairy Farmers is established. Owned by the farmers who supply it with milk, United Dairy Farmers becomes Northern Ireland’s leading dairy cooperative and a name synonymous with quality.

2001

Dale Farm is acquired by United Dairy Farmers, bringing the dairy brand under ownership of the cooperative.

2002

Scottish yogurt and cultured dairy products manufacturer Rowan Glen is purchased by Dale Farm - a major step in strengthening the company’s GB market share.

2004

Dale Farm buys Parmalat’s UK dairy processing facilities, which goes on to trade as Dale Farm Kendal Limited, producing a wide range of yogurts, fresh desserts and cottage cheese.

2010

Dale Farm makes the largest ever investment in the Northern Ireland dairy sector – £39 million - into enhancing its cheese and whey processing plant in Dunmanbridge, improving liquid milk processing facilities at Pennybridge; launching a state-of-the-art bottle blowing plant and improving its butter production facilities in Cullybackey.

2014

Dale Farm buys Fivemiletown Creamery from Glanbia Ingredients Ireland and takes over the production of speciality local cheese at its creamery. The company also acquires established Irish ice cream business Mullins.

2015

Wrexham-headquartered Ash Manor Cheese Company is bought over by Dale Farm, further boosting the company’s presence in GB.

2017

The group changed name from United Dairy Farmers to Dale Farm Cooperative.

2018

Dale Farm launches largest ‘self-consumption’ solar farm in Ireland at its cheese processing facility in County Tyrone. The 37-acre solar farm guarantees 20 years of green energy and is one of the largest of its kind in dairy worldwide.

2021

A new brand identity for Dale Farm is unveiled, bringing farming to the forefront, using the strapline 'Sharing Goodness Everyday'. Its corporate brand strapline 'Your Dairy Cooperative' speaks directly to the 1,300 farmers who own and supply the cooperative with milk.

This signifies the start of an exciting and ambitious new chapter for Dale Farm.