California Ag Network

Tag: dairy policy

  • IDFA Expands Government Relations Team and Advocacy Operations

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced an expansion of its government relations and advocacy operations to strengthen the association’s federal and state engagement on behalf of the dairy industry.

    The expanded team is led by Chelsie Keys, senior vice president, government relations, and includes Rob Rosado, vice president, legislative affairs and Adam Tarr, vice president, legislative affairs. IDFA also announced that Darrin Youker has joined the association as director, state government relations and Cal Wilson has joined as manager, government affairs. Youker and Wilson will report to Keys.

    “The policy landscape for dairy has fundamentally changed,” said IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes. “Today, major decisions affecting dairy manufacturers, processors, retailers and consumers are increasingly being shaped not only in Washington, but in state capitols nationwide. IDFA is heavily investing in advocacy to ensure our industry is effectively represented at every level of government.”

    The expanded structure reflects IDFA’s continued investment in policy expertise, member engagement, coalition building, political engagement and coordinated advocacy as issues affecting dairy are increasingly shaped at both the federal and state levels of government. Those issues include food and nutrition policy, food ingredients, safety and labeling, sustainability, packaging and recycling, labor, transportation, trade, taxes, supply chain resilience, school meals, SNAP and WIC modernization and a growing number of state-level food policy proposals.

    IDFA has also established a strategic advocacy fund to support these efforts, deepen member engagement and further target coalition and advocacy efforts in states where policy risks and opportunities are greatest.

    “State advocacy has become critically important to the future of the dairy industry,” said Keys. “IDFA is building the team, resources and partnerships necessary to engage effectively in key states while continuing to lead on federal priorities important to dairy manufacturers and marketers. We are creating a more integrated advocacy operation that combines federal engagement, state engagement, political operations, coalition development and strong member participation.”

    As director, state government relations, Youker will lead IDFA’s state advocacy work, tracking and engaging on the growing volume of state legislative and regulatory activity affecting dairy. He will develop strategic advocacy initiatives and coordinate closely with IDFA members, state partners, coalitions and policymakers across the country.

    Youker joins IDFA with more than two decades of experience in agriculture policy, government affairs, advocacy communications and journalism. He comes to IDFA from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, where he served as policy director and helped lead the department’s legislative agenda, stakeholder engagement and federal agriculture work. His background also includes government affairs roles with Horizon Farm Credit and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, where he advocated on agriculture, conservation, transportation, tax, environmental and rural policy issues. Earlier in his career, Youker led member communications for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and worked as a journalist covering agriculture, transportation and government.

    “Darrin brings exactly the kind of experience IDFA needs as state policy becomes increasingly important to the future of dairy,” said Dykes. “He understands agriculture, coalition building and the realities of state policymaking, and he will be an immediate asset to our members.”

    As manager, government affairs, Wilson will support IDFA’s federal and state advocacy efforts, legislative tracking, member engagement, fly-ins, political engagement and IDFA PAC operations. Wilson joins IDFA after serving on the staff of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, where he gained experience across the committee’s broad agriculture policy portfolio and supported the work of members and senior staff during a fast-paced Congress. He previously interned for the Senate Agriculture Committee and for the office of former Senator Pat Roberts. Wilson is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

    “Cal’s experience with the Senate Agriculture Committee gives him a strong foundation in the policy issues that matter to food and agriculture,” said Dykes. “He will be an important addition to our Government Relations team as we continue strengthening IDFA’s advocacy, member engagement and political operations.”

    IDFA is also hiring a director, PAC and political affairs, to further strengthen the association’s political engagement and PAC operations.

    “These investments reflect IDFA’s long-term commitment to ensuring the dairy industry has a strong, credible and effective voice in the policymaking process,” Dykes said. “Our members expect strong advocacy, thoughtful policy leadership and meaningful engagement at every level of government. This enhanced team positions IDFA to deliver exactly that.”

  • IDFA Welcomes House Appropriations Support for Key Dairy Priorities

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) welcomed action by the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration to advance its FY2027 funding bill, including key dairy priorities.

    Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA, released the following statement:

    “IDFA applauds the Subcommittee for maintaining strong support for dairy across federal nutrition and innovation programs. The bill’s $4 million investment in Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives Projects builds on the program’s proven success in stretching SNAP dollars and helping SNAP participants purchase more milk. Additionally, provisions in the bill preserve dairy benefits in (Women Infants and Children) and ensure that whole and 2% milk, made available by the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, is applicable to all school meals, securing access to nutrient-dense foods that parents and children need. Sustained funding for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative will also help drive innovation, strengthen regional supply chains, and create new market opportunities for dairy farmers and processors. IDFA thanks Chairman Andy Harris and Ranking Member Sanford Bishop, Jr. and Subcommittee members for their support of the dairy industry priorities contained in the FY27 funding bill. We look forward to working with Congress to include these priorities in the final FY2027 appropriations package.”

  • At Farm Bureau Convention in California, Secretary Rollins Announces Dairy Margin Coverage Expansion and Section 32 Purchases of Specialty Crops

    This week at the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, CA, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced expanded enrollment for 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and new Section 32 commodity purchases that will result in more healthy, U.S. grown food in the hands of Americans. Following the convention, Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.

    Secretary Rollins and former California Ag Secretary A.G. Kawamura at his strawberry farm in Irving, California.

    “President Trump is making historic investments in the farm safety net and today’s announcement is one more action that supports our dairy producers by managing risk and strengthening markets so they can continue to provide wholesome nutrition for Americans,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The Trump Administration will continue to stand with America’s farmers as the farm economy recovers from years of neglect under the last administration. Our mission to Make America Healthy Again continues after the recent release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 announcement, with the upcoming purchase of U.S. grown food that will reach those in need, all while benefitting American farmers facing unfair actions from foreign competitors.”

    OBBBA Improves DMC Coverage and Premium Fees

    Secretary Rollins announced the enrollment period for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for the 2026 coverage year, an important safety net program that provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences. Starting January 12, 2026, dairy producers can enroll in DMC. The enrollment period ends February 26, 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed by President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025, reauthorized DMC for calendar years 2026 through 2031 and provided substantial program improvements, including establishing new production history and increasing Tier 1 coverage.

    The OBBBA increased DMC’s Tier 1 coverage level increased from five million pounds to six million pounds. All dairy operations that elect to enroll in DMC for 2026 will establish a new production history. Existing dairy operations that started marketing milk on or before January 1, 2023, will use the higher of milk marketings for the years of 2021, 2022, or 2023. New dairy operations starting after January 1, 2023, will use their first year of monthly milk marketings, even for a partial year. Milk marketing statements or production evidence are required to establish a production history.

    Dairy operations also have the option to lock-in coverage levels for six years (2026-2031) with premium fees discounted by 25%.

    DMC offers different levels of coverage, including an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool.

    For more information visit the DMC webpage or contact your local USDA Service Center.

    Agricultural Marketing Service Section 32 Purchases

    Secretary Rollins also announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $80 million in specialty crops from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. With this action, the Trump Administration is bolstering American prosperity by supporting American agriculture, rural communities, and those in need of nutrition assistance.

    The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.

    USDA AMS will purchase up to $80 million of the following commodities:

    •Almonds: $20M

    •Grape juice: $20M

    •Pistachios: $20M

    •Raisins: $20M

  • Referendum to Terminate Dairy Quota Implementation Plan Fails

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) recently conducted a referendum vote among California Market Milk Producers within the State of California to determine whether the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) which became effective November 1, 2018, should be terminated effective immediately.

    On August 6, 2024, the Department received a petition titled “Petition to Terminate the QIP #5” by Stop QIP. The petition asked that the Secretary call a referendum to immediately terminate the QIP. The Department performed a review of the petition signatures and their respective reported volume and determined that the twenty-five percent (25%) thresholds had been achieved. The petition was then referred to the Producer Review Board (PRB) for consideration. At a Board meeting held on December 17, 2024, the PRB reviewed the petition and passed a motion recommending that the Secretary issue an industry referendum to vote on the petition. The Secretary reviewed the PRB’s recommendation and approved it.

    The referendum to consider termination started on June 12, 2025. On September 9, 2025, one day prior to the end of the voting period for the referendum, over 501 ballots were hand-delivered to the Department by a third party. Visual inspection upon receipt confirmed that the ballots had been removed from their sealed envelopes. Due to these unusual circumstances, the Department decided to reissue the ballots in question and grant a special extension to vote to the producers whose ballots were received open. The voting period for the special extension for the affected producers was October 8, 2025, to October 24, 2025.

    Criteria for Passage:

    In order for the termination to be approved, California Food and Agricultural Code Section 62717 specifies that:

    Not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total number of eligible producers in the state shall have voted in the referendum AND one of the following criteria must be satisfied:

    a) Sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (April 2025) by all producers who voted in the referendum approve the plan, OR,

    b) Fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (April 2025) by all producers who voted in the referendum, approve the plan.

    Summary of the Results of the Referendum Vote:

    Proportion of Eligible Producers that Participated: 63.76%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Favor: 40.46%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Opposition: 59.54%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Favor: 47.55%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Opposition: 52.45%

    In summary, 63.76% of the total number of eligible producers voted in the referendum, and 40.46% voted in favor, having produced 47.55% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in April 2025. Conversely, 59.54% voted in opposition, and produced 52.45% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in April 2025.

    Explanation of Results:

    63.76% of the total number of eligible market milk producers in the state voted, therefore the participation criteria was satisfied.

    a. Additionally, both elements of EITHER criterion in (a) OR (b) above must also be satisfied: The producers who accounted for 47.55% of the fluid milk produced by participants in the referendum, in April 2025 voted IN FAVOR, falling short of the threshold of 51% for the first element by 3.45%; AND 40.46% of the number of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% for the second element by 24.54%. Therefore, because neither of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not approved through this criterion.

    b. 40.46% of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the 51% threshold by 10.54%; AND producers who accounted for 47.55% of the total number of fluid milk, produced by participants in the referendum, in April 2025 voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% by 17.45%. Therefore, because neither of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not approved through this criterion.

    Since the outcome of this referendum does not meet the criteria set forth in Section 62717 of the California Food and Agricultural code, the Quota Implementation Plan will not be terminated. A further summary of the tally results and details on invalidated ballots are included with this notice.

    Anyone with questions regarding the referendum, should contact the Quota Administration Program at (916) 900-5012.

  • Unused Assessments Collected By The Dairy Marketing Branch Now Available To Fund Ca Dairy Industry-Focused Research

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) recently conducted a referendum among California Market Milk Producers to consider whether the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) should be terminated. The deadline to vote in the referendum was September 10, 2025.

    On September 9, 2025, prior to the end of the voting period for the referendum, over 50 ballots were hand-delivered to the Department by a third party. Visual inspection upon receipt confirmed that the ballots had been removed from their sealed envelopes. Due to these unusual circumstances, the Department has decided to reissue the affected ballots and grant a special extension to vote to the producers whose ballots were received open. These new ballots are going out in the mail today; only properly completed and signed ballots, postmarked or otherwise received by the Department in a sealed envelope no later than October 24, 2025, will be counted.

    The Department will announce and notify all California Market Milk producers of the referendum results following tabulation of the ballots. Tabulation of ballots will not begin until the special extension period for receiving ballots has concluded.

    A copy of the notice to industry regarding the “Petition to Terminate the QIP #5” resubmitted by StopQIP on August 6, 2024 can be viewed here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dairy/pdf/notices/2025_QIP_Petition_for_Referendum_Notice.p

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    The current QIP can be viewed here: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dairy/pdf/QuotaImplementationPlan.pdf.

    If you have any questions regarding the referendum, please contact the Quota Administration Program at pooling@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 900-5012.