Valley Queen Cheese Successfully Completes $195 Million Expansion in Milbank

Valley Queen Cheese has completed its largest expansion in company history, marking the culmination of a multi-year, $195 million project that has significantly expanded the facility’s production capabilities and workforce in Milbank, South Dakota.

The comprehensive upgrade, which began in 2022 and wrapped up by early 2025 as planned, boosted the plant’s milk processing capacity from approximately 5 million pounds per day to about 8 million pounds per day. This nearly 60 percent increase positions the company to better meet rising demand from national food processors and the broader dairy market.

In addition to expanding processing throughput, the project included enhancements to production lines, storage facilities, and supporting infrastructure. The expanded facility supports greater throughput of key dairy products such as cheese, lactose, whey protein concentrate, and anhydrous milkfat.

The expanded operations also generated new employment opportunities in the region, strengthening the local economy and workforce. The investment underscores Valley Queen’s ongoing commitment to supporting dairy producers throughout South Dakota and neighboring states, cementing its role as a key partner in the Upper Midwest dairy supply chain.

Founded in 1929 by Swiss immigrants, Valley Queen Cheese continues to innovate while maintaining its long-standing heritage in dairy production.