Dairy Farmers of America/Select Milk $34.4M Settlement

Dairy farmers who produced and sold Grade A milk in the Dairy Farmers of America's southwest region between Jan. 1, 2015, and June 30, 2025, may qualify to claim a share of a $34.4 million class action settlement.

Dairy Farmers of America Inc. agreed to pay $24.5 million and Select Milk Producers Inc. agreed to pay $9.9 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging they conspired to restrain trade and suppress competition, which allegedly resulted in Southwestern dairy farmers being paid lower prices for their milk.

Who is eligible to file a claim?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• They are a dairy farmer, either as an individual or an entity.
• They produced Grade A milk.
• They sold Grade A milk independently, directly or through an agent to Dairy Farmers of America or Select Milk.
• Their sales occurred within DFA’s southwest region.
• Their sales took occurred between Jan. 1, 2015, and June 30, 2025.

How much is the dairy farmer payout?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $34.4 million. After deducting attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, service awards to class representatives and settlement administration costs, the settlement administrator will distribute funds among eligible class members who submit valid claims. The exact amount each class member receives will be proportional on the total number of valid claims and the volume of qualifying milk each claimant sold during the class period.

How to claim a settlement payment

Class members must submit the online claim form or print and mail it to the settlement administrator by Oct. 13, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: SW Dairy Antitrust Litigation c/o A.B. Data Ltd., P.O. Box 173128 Milwaukee, WI 53217

What information is required to submit a claim?

Class members must provide purchase information and documentation related to their milk sales.

$34.4 million settlement fund

The $34,400,00 million settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration costs: Up to $500,000
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $11,465,520
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $400,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $300,000
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 13, 2025
• Exclusion deadline: Oct. 13, 2025
• Fairness hearing: Nov. 12, 2025

When is the SW Dairy Antitrust Litigation payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments after the court grants final approval and processes all claims.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Dairy Farmers of America Inc. and Select Milk Producers Inc. conspired to restrain trade in violation of federal law, which led to suppressed competition and Southwestern dairy farmers being paid lower prices for their milk.

By settling, the parties avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation. The defendants deny any wrongdoing, and the court has not made a determination of liability.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement