California Ag Network

Tag: U.S. Dairy Industry

  • USDEC, NMPF Thank Administration for Maintaining Pressure on Canada

    The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) expressed their strong appreciation to the Trump Administration for its continued focus on using all available trade tools to resolve outstanding U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dairy market access issues with Canada. With a 50% tariff on certain Canadian imports taking effect on Saturday, the organizations urged Canada to return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.

    “We appreciate the Administration’s persistence in standing up for American dairy producers and exporters who have waited far too long for Canada to live up to its promises,” said USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden. “Canada has had plenty of chances to fix its unfair market access practices and close the loopholes it’s used to dodge its dairy commitments under USMCA. This weekend’s action makes clear that patience has run out. We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration until Canada resolves these issues and America’s dairy farmers and exporters see the full benefits USMCA promised.”

    “This action sends an unmistakable message that Canada’s ongoing disregard for its USMCA dairy commitments carries real consequences,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “It’s time for Canada to stop looking for workarounds and instead sit down in good faith to resolve these outstanding USMCA dairy implementation issues. Canadian retaliation would only serve to force the United States’ hand in escalating its leverage. The objective should be for both our countries to prevent increased friction and build on the progress made through weeks of negotiations.”

    Under USMCA, Canada committed to providing meaningful additional duty-free access for U.S. dairy exports through a series of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs). Canada’s administration of those TRQs has repeatedly resulted in chronic underfill. In addition, Canada has continued to exploit loopholes to sidestep USMCA disciplines on dairy protein exports. NMPF and USDEC have consistently urged the Administration to prioritize resolution of both issues as part of the ongoing USMCA Joint Review and continue to call on Canada to come to the table and negotiate in good faith. — Story contributed by the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council

  • IDFA Supports USMCA Review

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) was in Mexico City to support ongoing review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA’s senior vice president of trade and workforce, is engaging with U.S. government officials and industry stakeholders to advance IDFA’s priorities: preserve USMCA and strengthen it for dairy.

    “USMCA is essential to the competitiveness of the U.S. dairy industry and to the strength of North America’s agricultural economy,” said President and CEO Michael Dykes. “As the review process moves forward, we support U.S. negotiators efforts to resolve outstanding dairy commitments and preserve this agreement that is so vital to the economic growth, investment and long-term certainty for U.S. dairy processors and consumers across the region.”

    Mexico is the largest export destination for U.S. dairy products, buying $2.57b of U.S. dairy exports in 2025. As part of the review process, IDFA has consistently advocated for addressing current USMCA commitments that have not been implemented. IDFA has advocated preserving the agreement for the continued stability and growth of the U.S. dairy sector in North America.

    “The USMCA review presents the best opportunity U.S. dairy has had in six years to take a fresh look at and build on the strong trading relationship we have with Mexico,” said Rasdall Vargas. “While USMCA dairy trade issues commonly focus on Canada, ultimately, every trade relationship has areas to improve upon, and Mexico is no different.  IDFA appreciates Mexico’s constructive engagement in negotiations and looks forward to supporting a positive and speedy conclusion of the USMCA review with Mexico.”

    To learn more about IDFA’s trade policy priorities and advocacy efforts, visit www.idfa.org.

    — Story contributed by the International Dairy Foods Association

  • IDFA Supports USMCA Review

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is in Mexico City this week to support ongoing review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA’s senior vice president of trade and workforce, is engaging with U.S. government officials and industry stakeholders to advance IDFA’s priorities: preserve USMCA and strengthen it for dairy.

    “USMCA is essential to the competitiveness of the U.S. dairy industry and to the strength of North America’s agricultural economy,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “As the review process moves forward, we support U.S. negotiators efforts to resolve outstanding dairy commitments and preserve this agreement that is so vital to the economic growth, investment and long-term certainty for U.S. dairy processors and consumers across the region.”

    Mexico is the largest export destination for U.S. dairy products, buying $2.57b of U.S. dairy exports in 2025. As part of the review process, IDFA has consistently advocated for addressing current USMCA commitments that have not been implemented. IDFA has advocated preserving the agreement for the continued stability and growth of the U.S. dairy sector in North America.

    “The USMCA review presents the best opportunity U.S. dairy has had in six years to take a fresh look at and build on the strong trading relationship we have with Mexico,” said Rasdall Vargas. “While USMCA dairy trade issues commonly focus on Canada, ultimately, every trade relationship has areas to improve upon, and Mexico is no different.  IDFA appreciates Mexico’s constructive engagement in negotiations and looks forward to supporting a positive and speedy conclusion of the USMCA review with Mexico.”

    To learn more about IDFA’s trade policy priorities and advocacy efforts, visit www.idfa.org. — Story contributed by the International Dairy Foods Association

  • Dairy Orgs Praise H-2A Reform Bill

    The Internationalist Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) both voiced support for the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act, aimed modernizing the H-2A temporary ag workers program.

    “The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce we’ve seen in decades,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “It is particularly critical for dairy farmers, who have been effectively shut out of the nation’s primary legal agricultural guest worker program.”

    The bill was introduced by Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Penn.),  who chairs the House Ag Committee. Both organizations praised his leadership with the bill.

    “Dairy farms and processors alike operate year-round and need access to a reliable workforce. Modernizing the H-2A program to meet the workforce needs of year-round dairy farm operations moves the needle in the right direction by strengthening the dairy supply chain,” said IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes. ” Although dairy processors also need reforms that offer workforce support, the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act better positions all of U.S. dairy to ensure families continue to have access to nutritious dairy products. IDFA thanks Chairman Thompson for his leadership in introducing this important legislation.”

    “I applaud Chairman Thompson and the other original co-sponsors for introducing this bill. Chairman Thompson, thank you for leading the way, as you so often have to the most important issues facing agriculture. NMPF will rally its advocates across dairy and all of agriculture to support this bill, and it stands ready to help build momentum in the House, secure a Senate companion bill, and ultimately get this legislation to the president’s desk.”

  • NMPF Applauds Farm Bill Passage in House

    The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) voiced its support for the passage of the Farm Bill in the House of Representatives, and are now urging Senate to follow suit.

    The Farm bill was passed Thursday morning, and includes several provisions that benefit American dairy producers, such as expansion of the SNAP Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives projects into broader Dairy Nutrition Incentives Projects, according to the International Dairy Foods Association. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud praised the passage.

    “The House-passed 2026 Farm Bill supports the farm safety net, preserves existing conservation programs that include opportunities for dairy and livestock producers, bolsters trade promotion programs while protecting common food names, recognizes the important role of dairy in nutrition, and supports animal health programs. All of these are important priorities to dairy farmers and the broader industry, and we appreciate the leadership shown by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and other dairy champions to get this legislation through the House,” Doud said. “We look forward to the Senate taking up the farm bill without delay. At a time where farmers face unprecedented challenges, Congress needs to provide the stability of a five-year, comprehensive farm bill. We will work with leaders in both chambers, from both parties, to get a farm bill signed into law.” — Story Contributed by the National Milk Producers Federation

  • U.S. Dairy Testifies on State of Maritime Supply Chain

    Tony Rice, Senior Director of Trade Policy at the National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council, testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform and Antitrust on the maritime supply chain challenges faced by the U.S. dairy industry.

    The U.S. dairy industry exported $9.6 billion and three million metric tons of cheeses, milk powders, whey proteins, and other dairy products last year, making reliable transportation vital to its economic wellbeing. Yet American dairy exporters have little choice but to rely on a small number of ocean carrier options, almost all of which are foreign owned.

    “Dairy farmers milk their cows 365 days a year,” Rice said. “When export shipments are delayed, cancelled, or become more expensive to move, the disruptions ripple back through the supply chain and ultimately affect farm income.”

    Rice drew on lessons from the pandemic-induced supply chain crisis, when severe delays, routinely cancelled bookings and unprecedented port congestion disrupted cargo movements and cost U.S. dairy producers billions in unexpected costs and lost sales opportunities. While the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 addressed several issues related to unfair fees, Rice highlighted that dairy exporters in the U.S. continue to face operational uncertainty when bookings are rejected, port calls are skipped or receiving windows shift without explanation.

    To address these challenges, the U.S. dairy industry called for greater investment in the domestic maritime sector to expand American shipbuilding capacity, robust Federal Maritime Commission oversight of the global maritime carrier marketplace and increased transparency from ocean carriers on booking decisions.

    “We recognize the importance of efficient global shipping networks,” Rice said. “Our concern is ensuring that those networks work for American dairy exporters as well as they work for global carriers.”

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

    The U.S. Dairy Export Council is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and assist the U.S. industry to increase its global dairy ingredient sales and exports of U.S. dairy products. For more, visit www.usdec.org.

  • Kingsburg CA Dairy Receives National Dairy FARM Excellence Award

    Integrity, ingenuity and the pursuit of excellence earned three farms and one program evaluator this year’s National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program’s Excellence Awards. The awards announced today recognize participants who uphold program values by demonstrating U.S. dairy farmers are committed to producing high quality, wholesome milk.

    The 2025 FARM Excellence Award recipients are:

    • Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship — Bar E Dairy (Land O’Lakes Inc.)

    • Environmental Stewardship – Five Star Dairy Farm LLC (Associated Milk Producers Inc.)

    • Workforce Development — Glezen Farms, LLC (Maola Local Dairies)

    • Evaluator of the Year — Lisa Ford (Cayuga Marketing)

    “These winners exemplify FARM’s mission of continuous improvement through action, integrity and resilience,” said Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Meggan Hain. “It’s our honor to highlight the good deeds of the dairy industry, not only to assure customers, but to reward farmers for their continued contributions and dedication.”

    Winners were announced at the 2025 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) in Arlington, TX.

    The FARM Excellence Awards were created in 2021 to celebrate farms dedicated to continuous improvement in each of the FARM Program pillars, and to recognize a FARM Program evaluator for their exceptional care and attention to the farms they evaluate. The awards are judged by FARM Farmer Advisory Council members and other subject matter experts. Farms and evaluators may be nominated by fellow dairy farmers and evaluators, members of their communities, extension, cooperative or processor staff, veterinarians, or other industry professionals.

    Visit the FARM website for more information about the FARM Excellence Awards.

    About the Winners:

    Bar E Dairy is located in Kingsburg, CA and is a member of Land O’Lakes, Inc. Bar E Dairy received the 2025 FARM Excellence Award in Animal Care & Antibiotic Stewardship for its commitment to exceptional animal welfare and judicious use of antibiotics through on-farm technology and innovation.

    Five Star Dairy Farm LLC is located in Alma, WI and is a member of Associated Milk Producers Inc. Five Star Dairy earned the 2025 FARM Excellence Award in Environmental Stewardship for its use of conservation practices to promote and maintain the land, water and wildlife in its community.

    Glezen Farms, LLC is located in Lisle, NY and is a member of Maola Local Dairies. Glezen Farms secured the 2025 FARM Excellence Award in Workforce Development for its dedication to fostering a safe, informed and responsible workforce through training and resource investment.

    Lisa Ford is based in Auburn, NY and is a FARM Program evaluator for Cayuga Marketing. Lisa took home the 2025 FARM Evaluator Excellence Award for her devotion to serving Cayuga members through education, leadership and advocacy.

    The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program was created by NMPF with support from Dairy Management Inc. in 2009. Program participation is open to all U.S. dairy farmers, cooperatives, and processors. Participants follow rigorous guidelines to ensure the utmost social responsibility on our nation’s dairy farms, while committing to continuous improvement. For more, visit nationaldairyfarm.com.

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

  • U.S. Dairy Exports Reach $8.2 Billion, Marking Second-Highest Level Ever—Industry Poised for a “Golden Age” of Trade

    The U.S. dairy industry is poised to establish a new “golden age” of U.S. dairy trade, with exports reaching $8.2 billion in 2024—the second-highest total export value ever and a $223 million year-over-year increase, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mexico and Canada—U.S. dairy’s top two global trading partners representing more than 40% of U.S. dairy exports—each imported record values of dairy at $2.47 billion and $1.14 billion respectively. Central American markets also surged, with Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador all importing record values of U.S. dairy. U.S. dairy exports to China declined in 2024, marking the lowest year since 2020.

    “The U.S. dairy industry is ready to capitalize on a renewed trade agenda in 2025,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). “Consumers in the United States and around the world continue to demand more U.S. dairy because we provide an assortment of delicious, nutritious and affordable dairy products. From award-winning cheeses, to high-value whey ingredients and milk powders used to make life-saving products for children and adults to safe and nutritious ESL milk, U.S. dairy is known throughout the world for quality and reliability.

    “Our industry is poised to become the world’s leading supplier of dairy products thanks to the resilience and innovation of the American dairy industry. To do that, we need a trade agenda that prioritizes market access and ensures a level playing field. For too long, our exports to Canada have yet to fulfill the promises of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) because Canadian policies continue to prevent American exporters from filling their tariff-rate quotas. Demand remains soft in key markets such as China and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, illustrating the need for a strategic approach to trade with markets in the Asia Pacific region. Overall, U.S. dairy exports are performing well, but we can do more. With new trade agreements that remove obstacles and increase market access, we wouldn’t just break records—we would redefine the global dairy landscape for decades to come.”

    The U.S. dairy industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs in the United States and pumps almost $800 billion into the U.S. economy, has invested more than $8 billion in new processing capacity that will come online in the next few years. The industry relies on trade agreements to open new markets and increase exports. After being a net importer of dairy products a decade ago, the United States now exports $8 billion worth of dairy products to 145 countries. U.S. dairy exports nearly tripled since the early 2000s, and the United States became the world’s third-largest dairy product exporter behind New Zealand and the European Union (EU). Today, approximately one day’s worth of milk produced on America’s dairy farms each week is exported, or roughly 18% of all production. As U.S. milk production continues to increase over the next decade, expanding markets will become even more vital to ensure the global competitiveness of the industry and to boost the American economy.

    The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation’s dairy manufacturing and marketing industry, which supports more than 3.2 million jobs that generate $49 billion in direct wages and $794 billion in overall economic impact. IDFA’s diverse membership ranges from multinational organizations to single-plant companies, from dairy companies and cooperatives to food retailers and suppliers, all on the cutting edge of innovation and sustainable business practices. Together, they represent most of the milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and cultured products, and dairy ingredients produced and marketed in the United States and sold throughout the world. Delicious, safe and nutritious, dairy foods offer unparalleled health and consumer benefits to people of all ages.

  • Deadline Extended for U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards Nominations

    For more than a decade, the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards program has been celebrating dairy farms, businesses and partnerships for their dedication to advancing sustainability across the industry.

    The nominations period deadline for the 2022 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards has been extended to March 4.

    The farmer-founded Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which unites the industry through a shared social responsibility platform, launched the awards to honor exceptional farms, businesses and partnerships for their socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sound practices and technologies that have a broad and positive impact.

    Nearly 80 farms, business and partnerships have been celebrated as winners and honorable mentions over the past 10 years. They serve as examples of the dairy industry’s commitment to social responsibility, including the 2050 Environmental Stewardship goals announced in 2020. Set by the Innovation Center through extensive industry and stakeholder collaboration, the goals are to achieve GHG neutrality, optimize water usage and improve water quality by 2050.

    “Sustainability Award winners epitomize the best of dairy sustainability and ingenuity, providing useful case studies for the dairy community as it moves forward to meet industrywide commitments, including dairy’s 2050 Environmental Stewardship goals,” said Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “We’re excited to see what innovations rise to the top with this year’s nominations.”

    Award submissions can be made at www.usdairy.com/2022Awards. There is no fee to enter. All farms, companies and organizations involved in the U.S. dairy industry and engaged in collaborative and sustainable dairy-related practices are eligible to submit nominations in the following categories:

    Dairy Farm Sustainability

    The Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability category recognizes farmers for practices and technologies that demonstrate exemplary economic, environmental and/or social benefits and continuous improvement in dairy production. Successful nominations take a holistic approach to sustainability and provide replicable results that can advance on-farm dairy leadership and inspire positive change industrywide.

    Processing and Manufacturing Sustainability

    The Outstanding Dairy Processing and Manufacturing Sustainability category recognizes demonstrated steps to innovate, measure and communicate progress within the triple bottom line of sustainability. It provides replicable success stories to benefit the dairy community and to inform continuous improvement industrywide.

    Community Impact

    The Community Impact category commends efforts that improve lives and communities through positive impacts on health and wellness, hunger relief, workforce development, community volunteering and investment, and/or environmental stewardship. Successful nominations demonstrate how farms, cooperatives, processors or other dairy community stakeholders (either collaboratively or as a single entity) develop practical and effective solutions to shared challenges and goals of the communities in which they live and work.

    Supply Chain Collaboration

    The Supply Chain Collaboration category celebrates collaborative and market-based partnerships to demonstrate that truly sustainable outcomes come when all parts of the supply chain are involved in finding solutions. This award highlights farm-to-fork engagement through a collaborative farm, cooperative processor, and/or retail/foodservice partnership to benefit all involved and to provide best-in-class examples of sustainable dairy supply chains.

    Finalists will be notified in April and the winners will receive:

    • An official commemorative plaque
    • Recognition via public relations and other promotional activities, including at an awards ceremony.
    • Opportunities to serve as a Dairy Sustainability Ambassador at key events
    • Use of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards logo for marketing purposes for up to one year
    • Case studies of their stories featured on www.usdairy.com/awards

    An independent panel of judges evaluates all nominations based on measurable results, demonstrated innovation and learning, and the potential for other dairy farms and businesses to adopt the practices.

    About the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

    The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® is a leadership forum that brings together the dairy community and third parties to address the changing needs and expectations of consumers and customers. Initiated in 2008 by dairy farmers through the dairy checkoff, Innovation Center leaders and members collaborate on important areas like the environment, nutrition and health, animal care, food safety, and community contributions. Through the Innovation Center, the U.S. dairy community demonstrates its commitment to continuous improvement from farm to table, striving to ensure a socially responsible and economically viable dairy community. For more information, visit www.usdairy.com/about-us/innovation-center

  • U.S. Dairy Industry Publishes Biennial Sustainability Report

    The checkoff-founded Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy released its biennial 2020 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Report inclusive of progress made in 2019 and 2020 within environmental stewardship and broader social responsibility commitments to people, animals and communities.

    The report provides a transparent accounting of the progress and impact that the dairy community has made against the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment since its launch in 2018. Those dairy companies and processors that have voluntarily signed onto the Stewardship Commitment represent 75 percent of U.S. milk production* and are dedicated to nourishing a growing global population with responsibly produced dairy foods and beverages.

    Lisa Watson, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy

    “The U.S. dairy industry has continued to prioritize social responsibility, helping people and communities thrive, while advancing sustainable practices and becoming an environmental solution,” said Lisa Watson, social responsibility officer of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “It’s the result of cross-sector collaboration among dairy farmers, companies and other key stakeholders working together to address complex sustainability challenges and accelerate positive change.”

    In 2020, the U.S. dairy industry experienced significant disruptions to its individual businesses, dairy farms, cooperatives and companies brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the report shows the progress the dairy industry made by collectively standing by its social responsibility commitments.

    Key highlights include:

    • More than 95 percent of resources from processors was recovered, redirected and put to beneficial use such as donated to feed hungry people, repurposed for industry purposes and to feed animals and sent to composts (vs. sent to landfill).
    • U.S. dairy provided 1.538 billion servings of nutritious milk, cheese and yogurt in 2020 to food banks in the Feeding America network, a 33 percent increase over 2019 and a 107 percent increase since 2016.
    • The dairy industry supported 3.3 million jobs in the U.S. and contributed $752.93B in total economic impact.
    • By making use of the water present in milk, U.S. dairy processors were net positive for water, returning more than they withdrew from municipal and other sources.
    • The U.S. Dairy Net Zero Initiative was launched as an industry-wide effort to make sustainable practices and technologies more accessible and affordable for dairy farms of all sizes and included initial corporate partnerships with Nestlé and Starbucks.

    A first for U.S. dairy, the report incorporates nationally aggregated processor data against Stewardship Commitment metrics. Dairy processors developed and provide ongoing support for a reporting tool to serve as a credible and consistent way to calculate and track processor sustainability progress. Aggregations on GHG and water intensity, as well as other sustainability metrics, will serve as a baseline for future reporting.

    For information about the industry’s sustainability work and the dairy checkoff, visit www.usdairy.com.

    *At the close of the 2020 Sustainability Report reporting period (December 31, 2020), the Stewardship Commitment represented 74% of U.S. milk production.

    About the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment
    The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy® is a leadership forum that brings together the dairy community and third parties to address the changing needs and expectations of consumers and customers. Initiated in 2008 by dairy farmers through the dairy checkoff, Innovation Center leaders and members collaborate on important areas like the environment, nutrition and health, animal care, food safety, and community contributions. Through the Innovation Center, the U.S. dairy community demonstrates its commitment to continuous improvement from farm to table, striving to ensure a socially responsible and economically viable dairy community. For more information, visit www.usdairy.com/about-us/innovation-center