National Milk Producers Federation

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has added butter to the product list it will assist members in selling overseas, starting in January. Analysis of market fundamentals by CWT/NMPF economists indicated that the time was right to provide assistance to CWT member cooperatives interested in expanding sales of U.S. butter in foreign markets.  read more»

The collapse of commodity broker MF Global has spurred Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow to seek recommendations from participants in the futures and derivatives markets.  read more»

NMPF has expressed concerns about the potential impact on U.S. dairy exports of a recent proposal to consolidate government agencies.  read more»

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service published updated nutrition standards last week for meals served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs as part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

The final rule is in line with the proposed changes that were first announced in January 2011. The updated standards increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free and low-fat milk in school meals. The standards aim to reduce the levels of sodium and saturated fat in meals, and establish minimum and maximum calorie levels for each age/grade group.  read more»

In September 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) requested public comments, data and information relevant to the dietary intake of sodium and current approaches to promote sodium reduction. They are considering ways to promote gradual, achievable and sustainable reduction of sodium intake over time.  read more»

The USDA's Dairy Grading and Standardization Division recently posted “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the European Union Health Certification Program” on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website.  read more»

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted yesterday to remove truck weight reform language from the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act, also known as the highway bill, in lieu of a three-year study. Thursday's 33-22 vote was a disappointment to the dairy industry, which is affected every day by transportation policies that do not reflect the needs and demands of today’s commercial environment.  read more»

On February 1, 2012, the Department of Labor decided to reissue the parental exemption notification this summer to allow for more public comment on the definition of parental farm ownership. In a statement, Secretary Solis said, “The Department of Labor appreciates and respects the role of parents in raising their children and assigning tasks and chores to their children on farms and of relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles in keeping grandchildren, nieces and nephews out of harm’s way.”  read more»

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) 2012 Annual Conference, “Living in a World of Decreasing Resources and Increasing Regulation: How to Advance Animal Agriculture,” March 27-28, in Denver, Colo., will look at how challenges such as tight credit, increased capital requirements, environmental regulations, drought and other weather issues, more demanding animal care standards and misperceptions about how animals are raised are impacting animal agriculture—and what steps can be taken to advance animal agriculture in light on these challenges.  read more»