California Ag Network

Tag: Federal Milk Marketing Order

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

    In November 2018, following California’s entry into the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) the operations of CDFA’s Dairy Marketing Branch were terminated. In order to ensure the availability of funds to offset closing costs, terminated programs are required to keep unused funds in State Treasury for three fiscal years. Additionally, in the case of the Dairy Marketing Branch, the approval of the Legislature was required for CDFA to regain access to the unspent balance after the waiting period. The required thresholds have been met resulting in $3,595,000 becoming available for CDFA to conduct research to benefit both dairy farmers and milk processors.

    In the next few months CDFA plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to perform industry-focused research projects. As part of that process, we are asking the California dairy industry to help us identify their top research priorities. Accordingly, all members of the California dairy industry are invited to attend a workshop to discuss research priorities, project criteria and scope:

    Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025

    Time: 10:00 am

    Location: CDFA Headquarters Auditorium

    1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

    You may join the workshop online by using the link below:

    Join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82016929719

    Meeting ID: 820 1692 9719

    Passcode: G265+hC4

    Please direct any questions about the workshop or the unused funds to Kacie Fritz at Kacie.fritz@cdfa.ca.gov with CDFA’s Marketing Services Division.

  • To Pool or Not to Pool California Milk

    Bennett Water Systems

    Under the new California Federal Milk Marketing Order, dairy processors now have the option of whether to pool their milk (outside of Class 1 milk).  So what does this mean and how does it affect the industry?  Watch this brief interview with Annie AcMoody from Western United Dairymen as she explains.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • US Dairy Exports Decline Due to International Trade Dispute

    Bennett Water Systems
    With a rising middle class in China, US dairy producers saw potential for a great marketing opportunities that has recently been shattered by the current international trade dispute.  With trade issues in Mexico as well, another big market for the the US dairy industry, there are big concerns as to how this will impact the industry in a time of large milk inventories.  Watch this brief interview with Annie Acmoody from Western United Dairymen as she expounds upon the matter.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.
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  • How California Dairy Producers are Paid Under New FMMO

    Bennett Water Systems

    With the recent conversion to a Federal Milk Marketing Order in California, dairy producers may notice some changes in the way they are paid?  Watch this brief interview with Annie Acmoody from Western United Dairymen as she explains some of the changes.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • Dairy Market Trends with Annie Acmoody

    Bennett Water Systems

    So how is the current global dairy market impacting California milk prices?  What specific milk commodities are doing well, and what isn’t?  Watch this brief interview with Annie Acmoody from Western United Dairymen to find out.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: June 2018 Issue

    Read the latest news in the Dairy Industry with California Dairy Magazine!

    In this Issue:
    From Utter Chaos to Udder Comfort At Vander Eyk Dairy
    New Carousel Makes Life Easier for Cows & Staff

    June is Dairy Month
    Recognizing Dairy Families & Their Products

    It’s Official–California Has a Federal Milk Marketing Order
    Western United Dairymen Providing a Voice for the Industry

    All Milk Classes Up For June Dairy Month
    CA-FMMO is Official

    Click Here to Read!

  • USDA Releases Final CA FMMO Decision

    Modesto, Calif., (April 4, 2018) – USDA released the long awaited final decision for a California Federal Milk Marketing Order today. The potential differences between the final decision and USDA’s draft recommended decision from February 2017 had been a source of speculation in the industry for many months. Exactly how different was the final decision from the previous version? The answer is: it was exactly the same! Ta-da! Those who attended WUD’s convention got to hear about the basics of USDA’s draft recommendation, which also apply to the final decision. Now that we know this is what we will be looking at for a vote, more analysis will be conducted to determine the potential impact for producers around the state. Specifically, WUD will host three informational sessions on April 16 (Petaluma), April 17 (Modesto) and April 18 (Tulare; details below). The analysis presented will be performed by two independent experts who do not come with any agenda about persuading attendees one way or another. The emphasis will be on education and answering questions. USDA will also host a session in Clovis on April 10 to highlight the mechanics of the program.

    USDA will conduct a referendum among dairy producers to determine whether they support the proposed FMMO; this referendum will be held from April 2, 2018 through May 5, 2018. The FMMO will become effective if approved by two-thirds of the voting producers, or by producers of two-thirds of the milk represented in the voting process.

    Dates and locations for WUD’s meetings to discuss the economic impact of the CA FMMO:

    • Monday April 16th 10am Sonoma County Farm Bureau (3589 Westwind Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403)
    • Tuesday April 17th 9am Stanislaus County Harvest Hall (3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, CA 95358, Training Room Center DE)
    • Wednesday April 18th 10am Tulare Agri-Center, (4500 South Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274, Social Hall)

    Refreshments will be served each meeting. RSVP’s are greatly appreciated: molly@westernuniteddairymen.com, or (209)527-6453