DAIRY BRIEFS

TheNorthwest Dairy Association (NDA)and its marketing subsidiary,Darigold, Inc., said they will combine their respective business operations with the Montana dairy cooperativeCountry Classic Dairies(CC). Under the agreement, current CC members will become part of the larger cooperative, NDA. Country Classic’s sales and marketing, along with its plant operation, will be incorporated into Darigold, Inc. Members of both cooperatives have approved the merger.

Dallas-basedDean Foods Companysaid it agreed to sellRachel's, an organic yogurt business inAberystwyth, Wales, to B.S.A. International S.A., a subsidiary of France’s Groupe Lactalis. Terms of the deal -- scheduled to close in the third quarter -- were not disclosed.