Author: Alan Bjerga

NMPF’s Bjerga on the Push for Whole Milk

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga tells viewers how they can get involved in the push to put whole milk back on school lunch menus in an interview with RFD-TV. NMPF has put a call to action on its website, nmpf.org, which allows Americans to write their lawmakers, urging them to vote “Yes” on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in the House of Representatives. The legislation has already passed the Senate and is expected to pass the House easily — if it can get onto an already crowded floor schedule.

 

NMPF’s Mooney Reflects on Dairy, Discusses its Bright Future

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

Randy Mooney, a dairy farmer from Rogersville, MO and for 17 years the chariman of the National Milk Producers Federation, reflects on his tenure shortly after stepping down from the role at the organization’s annual meeting. Mooney, who remains on NMPF’s executive board, discusses dairy’s bright future and the honor of serving dairy in an interview with RFD-TV.

Rollins Touts Milk Action Plan at Annual Meeting

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

ARLINGTON, TX – Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins touted the Trump administration’s milk action plan to support American dairy farmers today at NMPF’s annual meeting.   

“I want to be very clear. We will never stop fighting for those of you in the dairy industry and across rural America we have reached that golden age for our producers,” said Rollins, a Texas native who keynoted the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by NMPF, the United Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. “Dairy farmers have delivered for America for 250 years, and now it’s time for us to deliver for you.” 

Rollins spoke to roughly 750 farmers, cooperative leaders and industry professionals gathered to discuss industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to dairy labor challenges. NMPF, the largest U.S. dairy farmer group, is holding a series of discussions on policy issues throughout the meeting, ranging from the need to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act to creating lasting labor solutions for U.S. dairy farmers.  

In her remarks, Rollins outlined USDA’s dairy priorities, outlining the administration’s four-point approach to support the industry, including:  

  • Incentivizing dairy consumption through changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected in December or early January;  
  • Working to drive down input costs;
  • Facilitating investments in American milk processing; and
  • Expanding markets to help milk producers prosper.     

Rollins also noted the importance of farm-labor issues, pledging to seek federal changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the departments of Labor and Homeland Security while noting that broader changes will require congressional action. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she said.  

Rollins became the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture earlier this year after serving as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute. During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.   

Rollins’s remarks kicked off a busy day at the conference, with remarks from immediate past NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, newly elected NMPF Chairman Brian Rexing, and NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud as well as a luncheon featuring awards from the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program and NMPF communications.  

A reception sampling top-performing cheeses from NMPF’s annual cheese contest is this evening.  

Rexing Elected New NMPF Chairman

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

ARLINGTON, TX – Brian Rexing, an Indiana dairy farmer and a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative, was chosen as NMPF’s 15th chairman at the organization’s Joint Annual Meeting today.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your chairman,” said Rexing in his first remarks after being named to the position by NMPF’s Board of Governors.

“I may be stepping into this role, but it isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about who we represent, and the future we’re building together.”

Rexing and his wife, Ranell, operate New Generation Dairy, near Owensville, IN milking 1,200 cows and farming 3,500 acres of corn, beans, wheat, and alfalfa. Brian is a fourth-generation farmer. Brian and Ranell have four children. He is the Vice President of Evansville Young Dairymen and received the Indiana Dairy Producer of the Year award 2010. In 2021, Brian purchased a meat processing plant with a retail store. Brian is a member of DFA’s Executive Committee.

Rexing succeeds Randy Mooney, who has served as NMPF’s chairman for the past 17 years. Mooney, who also serves as chairman for Dairy Farmers of America, will remain on NMPF’s Executive Committee, which also was elected today.

“It is one of the great honors of my life to work alongside so many dedicated farmer-leaders who care deeply about the future of dairy,” said Mooney. “I’m proud to pass the baton to Brian Rexing — a leader who carries forward the spirit of dedication, vision, and integrity that defines NMPF and our entire industry.”

NMPF’s Officers and Executive Committee will consist of:

  • Chairman Brian Rexing – Dairy Farmers of America
  • 1st Vice Chairman Cricket Jacquier – Agri-Mark
  • 2nd Vice Chairman Simon Vander Woude – California Dairies Inc.
  • Secretary Craig Caballero – United Dairymen of Arizona
  • Treasurer Pete Kappelman – Land O’Lakes
  • Sheryl Meshke – AMPI
  • Rob Vandenheuvel – California Dairies Inc.
  • Melvin Medeiros – Dairy Farmers of America
  • Randy Mooney – Dairy Farmers of America
  • Joel Eigenbrood – Foremost Farms
  • Brian Hemann – Lone Star
  • Jon Cowell – Maola Local Dairies
  • Doug Chapin – Michigan Milk Producers Association
  • Frank Doll – Prairie Farms
  • Jacob Larson – Southeast Milk Inc.

Today concluded the first full day of the Joint Annual Meeting held by NMPF and dairy checkoff organizations the National Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. The first day is devoted heavily to NMPF governance and director discussions on dairy policy and the future of the industry.

Also at the meeting, NMPF’s Board of Directors approved the organization’s policy positions and elected new members. New board members approved by NMPF delegates, a broader group than the board, include:

  • Amy Humphreys – Northwest Dairy Association
  • Kurt Williams – Lanco Pennland
  • Stephen Mancebo – Land O’Lakes
  • Brian Hemann – Lone Star Milk Producers
  • Will Dyt – California Dairies Inc.

The members awarded Honorary Directors for Life recognition to former NMPF Board members Jim Werkhoven of the Northwest Dairy Association and Joey Fernandes of Land O’Lakes.

The meeting of roughly 750 farmers and industry professionals continues through Wednesday, featuring breakout sessions on industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to the dairy labor challenges.

The annual meeting is also held in conjunction with NMPF’s Young Cooperators Leadership and Development program for younger dairy leaders, as well as NMPF’s annual cheese contest, which will announce winners tomorrow.

 

Rollins to Keynote NMPF Annual Meeting in Arlington, TX on Nov. 11

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will be joining hundreds of dairy farmers and cooperative leaders for a special keynote address during NMPF’s portion of its Joint Annual Meeting with dairy organizations at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Nov. 11, in Arlington, TX.

Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on Feb. 13. Prior to this role, Rollins served as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute. During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives extend a warm welcome to Brooke Rollins and appreciate the chance to hear from her and speak with her,” Gregg Doud, president & CEO of NMPF, said. “As an energetic advocate for dairy and for all of agriculture, we can’t imagine a more exciting opportunity than to learn more from her on how USDA is building a stronger future for farmers and for the entire nation.”

The keynote will be held at the Loew’s Arlington Hotel as part of the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by NMPF, the National Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association.

The gathering of roughly 750 farmers and industry professionals began yesterday and continues through Wednesday, featuring breakout sessions on industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to dairy labor challenges.

Nevada Variant shows H5N1 testing at work

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

By Dr. Jamie Jonker, Chief Science Officer, National Milk Producers Federation

Highly pathogenic avian influenza. H5N1. Bird flu. Regardless of what you may call it, this virus has posed significant challenges to dairy farmers over the past year.

Since the first confirmed case of the H5N1 virus in dairy cattle in Texas last March 25, as of February 7, there have been 959 confirmed dairy herds across 16 states. On February 5, USDA announced a new variant of H5N1 in a herd in Nevada. That made one thing even clearer than before: As the virus evolves, so too must we.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has worked closely with federal and state partners, along with industry partners, to share updates and guidance. National Dairy FARM Biosecurity Program resources have provided farms with biosecurity plan templates and educational materials on the best management practices to prevent disease introduction and spread. NMPF also secured grant funding from the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program to expand the FARM Biosecurity Program and help even more producers and state officials to be prepared in an infectious disease outbreak.

NMPF also participates in weekly and daily stand-up calls with various working groups to help shape policies from the Food and Drug Administration and USDA regarding H5N1 in dairy cattle and dairy products. In December, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced its National Milk Testing Strategy, a surveillance effort aimed at better tracking herd status in states across the country. Testing under the National Milk Testing Strategy began in six states: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. More states joined in the month following the strategy’s launch, increasing the total to 40 states.

The National Milk Testing Strategy is what led the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories toward confirming the new variant in Nevada. This genotype, D1.1, is different from genotype B3.13, which had been found in dairy cows until now. USDA APHIS and the Nevada Department of Agriculture are conducting additional on-farm investigation and testing and gathering more epidemiological information to better understand the effects of the new genotype and to limit further disease spread.

Much about the H5N1 virus remains unknown — how it spreads, how it evolves, how it affects cows long-term, and what it all means for humans. While a new variant is concerning, its detection shows that the systems in place for testing and identifying the virus in dairy cows are working as intended. Continued dedication to information sharing among the scientific community, state and federal officials, and everyone in the dairy supply chain is the only way forward.

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Feb. 13, 2025.

Diving in on Dairy’s Legislative Agenda

Posted on by Alan Bjerga
By Paul Bleiberg, Executive Vice President, Government Relations, National Milk Producers Federation
President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance have now taken their oaths of office, and the 119th Congress has been seated. While the opening weeks of a new Congress and presidency focus on nominations and organization, these important housekeeping processes will soon give way to a busy legislative session.

We know dairy is ready for an action-packed 2025. National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF) major legislative goals begins with passage of a five-year farm bill, but what makes up that bill for dairy is just as important.

First, enabling schools to offer whole and reduced-fat milk is paramount. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients and is the top source of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin D for children ages 2 to 18. However, just last month, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report reaffirmed that 88% of all Americans are under consuming dairy. The bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, recently reintroduced in Congress, provides the solution. This bill would allow, but not require, schools to serve all varieties of milk, including whole and reduced-fat milk. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that dairy foods at all fat levels have a neutral or positive effect on health outcomes. NMPF strongly supports swift passage of this measure to solve a critical child nutrition problem.

This problem is made clearer by data. Accurate, transparent data drives strong public policymaking. And that brings up another NMPF policy priority: remedying the persistent lack of accurate data when it comes to the costs of manufacturing raw milk into processed dairy products, which denies stakeholders an essential tool for assessing how milk pricing formulas ought to be structured.

A fix lies in the Fair Milk Pricing for Farmers Act, a bipartisan bill to require USDA to conduct mandatory dairy manufacturing cost surveys every two years. This will equip all voices in the dairy industry with better data to help drive future dairy pricing conversations.

Ongoing discussions on dairy pricing are vital for an industry that continues to innovate and advance. But milk pricing isn’t the only area where innovation is necessary. On the farm, U.S. dairy farmers benefit from safe and effective feed ingredients that can boost productivity in their herds and support environmental stewardship. However, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) current outdated review process for these ingredients hinders their timely approval and puts U.S. dairy farmers at a disadvantage with their global competitors. NMPF supports the bipartisan Innovative FEED Act, first introduced in 2023, to create a safe but expeditious process for FDA to review these products to help farmers make important gains and stay competitive.

These are just a handful of the major legislative efforts NMPF seeks to advance. Each of these bipartisan bills made headway last year as the House and Senate began their respective farm bill processes. With the new Congress getting ready to produce results, dairy stands ready to get these important priorities signed into law.

r of choice.

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Feb. 6, 2025.

NMPF’s Bjerga on Whole Milk, Lactose-Free Gains

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

Consumers are increasingly turning to whole milk, an important point to consider as Congress considers the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga says in an interview with Big Radio in Janesville, WI. Along with whole milk, consumers are also drinking more lactose-free varieties, an important part of the industry’s future.

Dairy Poised for an Action-Packed 2025

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

By Paul Bleiberg, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, National Milk Producers Federation

2024 was a tumultuous year on the political front, and 2025 promises to be just as eventful on the policy front.

The 2024 election resulted in President-elect Donald Trump winning a second term while Republicans simultaneously won control of the U.S. Senate and held their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. With a governing trifecta in hand next year, Republicans are poised to put their stamp on many significant issues, several of which have direct implications for dairy farmers.

Picking up where this year left off, a new farm bill remains on the congressional to-do list. Lawmakers enacted a one-year extension before adjourning for the year, paving the way for House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson of Pennsylvania and incoming Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman of Arkansas to lead their respective panels in drafting long-term farm policy legislation next year.

This year’s House and Senate farm bill frameworks included numerous dairy priorities, such as requiring USDA to conduct mandatory manufacturing cost surveys every two years, prioritizing common food name protection in trade discussions, and allowing schools to serve nutrient-dense whole milk. This year’s extension ensures that the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program continues without disruption as the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) advocates for a new five-year farm bill next year that meets dairy’s needs.

Republicans will also turn their attention to extending the expiring provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, one of President-elect Trump’s signature first-term accomplishments. NMPF will urge Congress to continue several pieces of the 2017 law, including the Section 199A domestic manufacturing tax deduction that allows agricultural cooperatives to pass the proceeds directly back to their farmer-owners. Congress is likely to complete this process using the tool known as budget reconciliation, which allows for the consideration of certain tax and spending legislation not subject to the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster requirement.

Finally, Congress will need to address an overall government funding deadline in early 2025. This year’s draft House and Senate agriculture funding bills included several NMPF-backed provisions, including House language to reverse the reduction in the maximum monthly milk allotment in USDA’s final foods package rule for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senate language mirroring the Innovative FEED Act to allow the Food and Drug Administration to review animal feed additives in a more efficient manner. While a short-term funding extension will require the new Congress to complete the full-year bills, the bills drafted this year will likely serve as the starting point for final negotiations next year.

Beyond these priorities, Congress and the incoming Trump Administration are likely to address major issues ranging from environmental policy to labor to trade. At each step of the way, NMPF will advocate for dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own as they seek to provide the U.S. and the world with wholesome, nutritious, and sustainably-produced milk and dairy products.

lve harmful barriers to trade, and promote the U.S. dairy industry as the global supplier of choice.

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Dec. 26, 2024.