Progressive Dairyman columnist and long-time dairy industry advocate Ben Yale passed away June 13, 2012, from complications following surgery. Funeral details are still forthcoming. More details will follow as they are available.

Progressive Dairyman sends its regrets to Ben Yale's family and the many dairy interests he has represented over the years.

"We are sorrowful for the loss of a great industry advocate," Progressive Dairyman Editor Walt Cooley said. "Ben was an artful communicator who was uniquely able to shine historical context on today's most important industry issues. He inspired many through his words, and he will be greatly missed."

View statements below from dairy organizations expressing condolences:

"We are sad to report that Ben Yale has passed away. As many will recall, Ben worked for Dairy Producers of New Mexico as our attorney for many years. Ben was a good lawyer who helped DPNM with many issues. He will be missed."

—Beverly Idsinga, Executive Director, Dairy Producers of New Mexico

"Ben was a member of what we fondly call the Milk Bar, a small group of attorneys who make their living dealing with dairy issues – mostly regarding the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. Ben was an excellent attorney but was also a competent economist well versed in how markets could and did function within the confines of the Federal Order legal structure. He was also a good man and a good friend. He will be missed."

—Bill Van Dam, Alliance of Western Milk Producers

Yale began contributing to the magazine in 2008.  PD

Below, we've compiled a list of Yale's most popular recent articles. Click here to search for additional Ben Yale articles.

• What does a gallon of milk cost? (This lead to a follow up article: How much does the farmer get when a consumer buys milk?)
• Salvation from disaster
• Batten down the hatches against ‘freak’ waves
• Treatments that kill
• How much cheese is there in a hundred pounds of milk?
• Elephant in the milk house
• Conservative showdown and a new dairy bill
• Parity price: A policy of the past, a past full of history
• Focus on the right thing
• Why dairymen absorb the CME's rough price ride