Live Real Farms, a brand owned by the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), has launched a new blended dairy beverage in the US market.

The new Dairy Plus Milk Blends combine a lactose-free dairy drink with almonds or oats.

Live Real Farms growth & innovation senior vice-president Rachel Kyllo said: “We understand that consumer tastes are always changing and that many people are enjoying the benefits of both dairy milk and plant-based alternatives.

“We recognised an opportunity in the value-added milk category’s growth areas, products like lactose-free and flavoured milk  and created an option that offers the protein-packed goodness of pure dairy milk with the flavours and versatility of alternatives in one great-tasting beverage.”

Dairy Plus Milk Blends can be enjoyed in Dairy Plus Almond-Original, Dairy Plus Almond-Unsweetened Vanilla, Dairy Plus Almond-Sweetened Vanilla, Dairy Plus Almond-Chocolate and Dairy Plus Oat-Original varieties.

Live Real Farms is a new brand developed by Dairy Farmers of America, which is owned by more than 8,000 family farms across the US.

Initially, the company has distributed its new beverage range across supermarkets in Minnesota for a purchase price of $3.99 to $4.69 for a half-gallon quantity.

Dairy Plus Milk Blends will be available across the US from early next year.

Live Real Farms farmer-owner Charles Krause said: “Dairy farmers like myself take great pride in delivering a quality product. This innovation allows consumers to enjoy the wholesome goodness of dairy in a new way.”

Last month, US-based St Albans Cooperative Creamery announced that it will merge with Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) after its received merger approval from its members.