Author: Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF and USDEC Statement on House Passing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council issued the following statement on the House passing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA):

“CORCA is an important tool for our dairy producers to ensure that their products reach end customers safely and on time,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said. “We appreciate Reps. Joyce, Lee, Valadao and Titus for leading this commonsense legislation to crack down on cargo break-ins that continue to affect U.S. dairy shippers. We look forward to working to move the bill forward in the Senate and into law.”

“U.S. dairy exporters rely upon a supply chain that is safe and reliable in order to reach customers around the world,” USDEC President & CEO Krysta Harden said. “Unfortunately, our dairy exports have been collateral damage as criminals break into shipping containers in search of high-value retail goods. The bipartisan legislation passed by the House is a critical step toward providing our dairy shippers and law enforcement the resources needed to better confront this issue. Thank you to Representatives Joyce, Lee, Valadao and Titus for championing this important effort.”

The Kids are All Right — They Trust Dairy

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Consumers continue to maintain high levels of trust in dairy and its industry, according to the latest Consumer Perceptions Tracker from Dairy Management Inc. The tracker, now in its third year, shows the percentage of consumers giving dairy its top two trust ratings (on a seven-point scale) rose to 36% in 2025, one tick up from the previous year.

That’s gratifying, but perhaps not that surprising. But want to see what’s driving it? Look at the overall percentage breakdown by age. Then, look at the teenagers:

The cohort that has the most trust in dairy is… teenagers, with 47% rating dairy a 6 or a 7 on the 7-point scale. While it’s true that “6-7” was a viral craze among the young folk in 2025 (which now is soooooo last year), the evolution toward greater trust among the young folk — those “hepcat whippersnappers,” those “totally rad hipsters” — probably goes deeper than that. Note the three-year trend:

From 33% in 2023, to 41% in 2024 to 47% in 2025. That’s a real move. And it shows a bright future for dairy.

Maybe it’s the cottage cheese craze. Maybe it’s the decline of the plant-based beverages that hoodwinked millennials. Maybe it’s the renaissance of whole milk. Maybe it’s good old-fashioned persuasion, brought to teenagers via their own media channels and supported by dairy farmers and their allies.

For whatever reasons, support for dairy no longer is something that is strongest among the elderly — teenagers have positively Boomer-level (actually, better) respect for what dairy farmers do. That’s where an industry wants to be. That’s where dairy is. To borrow from the pop culture of the Boomers the teens have surpassed, the Kids are Alright — true in 1966, true in 2026.

And the choice of a new generation.

USDA Clears Path for Whole Milk in Schools

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation today applauded USDA’s Final Rule, “Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs,” which includes whole and 2% milk as options in the school breakfast, Special Milk and Child and Adult Care Food programs.

The rule is an important step in implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 that was signed into law in January.

As the rule was developed, NMPF requested clarification from USDA that schools would have the option to provide whole and 2% milk for school breakfasts as well as school lunches; today’s rule meets that need and benefits schoolchildren by ensuring a full range of milk options at every school meal.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in delivering whole and 2% milk back into schools,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said. “Offering whole and 2% milk in schools helps students meet recommended daily values for many essential nutrients. It’s logistically challenging for schools to offer this milk for lunches but not for other meals, which weakens the benefits that whole and 2% milk provide. Today’s rule provides much needed clarification so that schools can offer the same milk options during breakfast and lunch.”

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act gives schools the option of serving whole and 2% milk varieties — in addition to the 1%, fat-free, and flavored options already offered — in federally funded programs for the first time since federal rules in 2012 cut them.

“When the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act passed, NMPF pledged our fullest support to federal officials and school districts across the nation to help implement this important legislation,” Doud said. “We appreciate USDA’s swift, comprehensive efforts on implementation to ensure that schools have the information they need to make purchasing decisions and whole and reduced fat milk offerings return to school menus.”

The Final Rule takes effect in a month and is now open for public comment.

NMPF Hails USTR Report Highlighting Cheese Name Trade Barriers

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF welcomed the U.S. Trade Representative’s April 30 release of its 2026 Special 301 Report, which cites as a priority trade barrier the European Union’s abuse of intellectual property tools to monopolize common cheese names like “parmesan.”

The support for positions taken by NMPF, the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the Consortium for Common Food Names, is essential as the organizations work with the U.S. government to secure protections for American dairy producers’ right to use common food names in global markets.

The annual document that details pressing intellectual property issues facing U.S. exporters this year highlights the administration’s successful efforts over the past year to use reciprocal trade agreement negotiations to secure commitments to keep common names free to use for American producers. These new deals are critical for pushing back against the European Union’s protectionist geographical indication (GI) policies, which restrict widely recognized terms like “parmesan” and “feta” to specific European producers and effectively cut U.S. exporters out of key markets.

NMPF and USDEC filed comments in January supporting CCFN’s more detailed submission to USTR, which documented the breadth of markets where those rights are under threat and expressed gratitude for the administration’s prioritization of the issue. NMPF’s Shawna Morris also testified at the public hearing USTR held as part of its efforts to develop the report. All three organizations will complement USTR and U.S. government monitoring the reciprocal trade agreements and hold trading partners to their successful implementation.

Additionally, NMPF will continue to push for protections in every ongoing trade negotiation, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Joint Review, to ensure that U.S. dairy exporters can ship their products to any market in the world, regardless of their common names.

NMPF Spotlights Stewardship Through Storytelling

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF and the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program spent April telling one connected story across multiple media channels: how America’s dairy farm families are true stewards, not just for Earth Day, but every day.

NMPF’s latest Farmer Focus, CEO’s Corner column, and Dairy Defined Podcast episode spotlighted the people and programs behind the progress.

In Farmer Focus, the Van Hofwegen family shared how data opens doors for future generations, using FARM Environmental Stewardship to track and measure the farm’s environmental footprint.

Paloma Dairy in Gila Bend, AZ, is a family-owned and operated United Dairymen of Arizona member-farm producing high-quality milk since its founding in 2006. It’s managed by Robert Sr. and his four sons: Allan, Robert Jr., Arie and Kyle.

The farm uses energy audits and data collected from FARM ES evaluations to shape capital investments and business strategies. “You know, we call ourselves dairymen, but it’s agribusiness — business in capital letters,” said Robert Van Hofwegen.

NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud’s monthly CEO’s Corner column touched on farmer stewardship, noting that much of what’s called “sustainability” is simply good business practices and efficiency.

“Public discussion about agriculture at times treats stewardship and profitability as parallel conversations — one is about social responsibility (whatever that may mean), while the other is about returns,” the column states.

“A dairy farmer’s reality is very different. On dairies, stewardship is a business strategy that improves efficiency, manages risk, and strengthens U.S. dairy’s competitiveness at home and abroad. Its success hinges upon being farmer‑led, incentive‑based, and grounded in economics rather than mandates.

“Efficiency has always been the foundation. To use a recent buzzword, do you know what “regenerative ag” is to me? It’s the stuff my dad has emphasized on the farm for the past 50 years, and its stuff dairy farmers do every day.”

Nicole Ayache, chief sustainability officer for NMPF, explained in April’s Dairy Defined podcast how the FARM Program puts farmers first. FARM provides a tool for farmers to track and measure their footprint, which they can use to make on-farm improvements. It also helps farmers access additional resources, such as grants, incentive programs, milk premiums and other revenue channels, and helps manage customer expectations while promoting the good story that happens on dairy farms daily.

Ayache, who leads the National Dairy FARM Program’s Environmental Stewardship initiative, noted how sound management of resources and a focus on efficiency has boosted dairy productivity and bottom lines, even as it reflects the dedication of the farmers themselves to serving consumers.

“A lot of stewardship is about efficiency” — but it’s also more than that, Ayache said. “Anyone who chats with farmers know that because you can hear every time you talk to them about their farm and their choices, you can hear their passion for the animals and the land and their care and the nutrition they provide to our country and the world.”

FARM Builds Trust, Sets Stage for Progress

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Dairy FARM Program advanced U.S. dairy priorities in animal care, workforce development and environmental stewardship by presenting in two sessions at the 2026 Dairy Sustainability Alliance Spring Meeting on April 29. The program also aided in a panel discussion on how FARM delivers value across the supply chain.

Dr. Meggan Hain presented in “Landscape Level Set: Care for Animals and Communities,” exploring how the dairy industry is driving progress in animal care, food safety and workforce development. The session highlighted key focus areas for the industry in 2026 and shared resources for organizations interested in improving these focus areas.

FARM hosted a second session, “Building Trust Across the Dairy Value Chain,” as it explored perspectives that showcase how FARM delivers value by supporting market access, managing reputational risk and strengthening trust in U.S. dairy customers and consumers. Panel participants included Agri-Mark dairy farmer Val Lavigne; Kristy Miron, who serves as a sustainability & animal care manager for Land O’Lakes Inc.; and Adam Wylie, director of global responsibility for Leprino Foods.

FARM’s Nicole Ayache spoke in an informational panel about evolving global expectations and what they could mean for U.S. dairy: “What Global Reporting Expectations Mean for U.S. Dairy.” The panel shared insights into the most recent developments in E.U. sustainability directives that influence how global customers approach such topics.

The meetings also provided an opportunity to speak with farmers and industry stakeholders on current challenges, emerging animal health trends and advancements in science and technology.

April NEXT-Assisted Export Sales Total 16 Million Pounds

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NEXT member cooperatives secured 58 contracts in April, adding 16 million pounds of product in NEXT-assisted sales in 2026. These products will go to customers in Asia, North America, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa, South America, Central America and the Caribbean and will be shipped from April through November 2026.

Exporting dairy products is critical to the viability of dairy farmers and their cooperatives across the country. Whether or not a cooperative is actively engaged in exporting, moving products into world markets is essential. NEXT provides a means to move domestic dairy products to overseas markets by helping to overcome U.S. dairy’s trade disadvantages.

The referenced amounts of dairy products reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. NEXT will pay export assistance to bidders only when export and delivery of product is verified by submission of required documentation.

DAIRY PRIDE Act Reintroduced in House

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF partnered with congressional allies Reps. John Joyce, R-PA, and Josh Riley, D-NY, to reintroduce the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act in the House of Representatives April 21, an important step in the ongoing efforts to ensure truth in labeling for milk and dairy products.

The legislation is a companion to the bipartisan Senate bill introduced in July 2025.

“Dairy farmers have spent generations building trust in the nutritional value and quality of real dairy products; allowing imitation products to borrow that reputation risks misleading shoppers and muddying the marketplace,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said.

The Food and Drug Administration for nearly five decades has failed to enforce its own standards of identity for dairy foods, allowing plant-based imitation products to use dairy terms like “milk,” “cheese,” and “yogurt” despite being nutritionally inferior. These standards exist to promote honesty, protect consumers, and ensure that product names carry clear expectations for nutritional value. Milk and dairy foods provide a unique package of 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, potassium, and vitamin D — nutrients of public health concern that many Americans already under-consume.

DAIRY PRIDE would direct FDA to finally uphold these longstanding standards by deeming imitation products with inaccurate milk claims as misbranded. The bill also requires FDA to issue guidance within 90 days to ensure consistent, nationwide enforcement, helping consumers better understand their choices at the grocery store and restoring fairness for dairy farmers who play by the rules.

NMPF strongly supports the DAIRY PRIDE Act and thanks Reps. Joyce and Riley for their bipartisan leadership. The organization will continue engaging Congress and the Administration to push for meaningful action that protects dairy’s identity, supports public health, and ensures a level playing field for America’s dairy farm families.

NMPF Backs Sterile Flies to Combat Screwworm

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF submitted comments April 22 to the Environmental Protection Agency supporting its science‑based review of a USDA registration application for NovoFly, a sterile, male‑only New World screwworm developed as part of the proven Sterile Insect Technique used to prevent and respond to screwworm outbreaks.

“By improving male-only release ratios and reducing production inefficiencies, this technology strengthens the economic sustainability of the U.S.–Mexico barrier program that protects billions of dollars in agricultural value annually,” NMPF stated in its comments. “Investing in a more precise and scalable SIT tool is fiscally responsible and reduces the likelihood of far more costly emergency eradication campaigns in the future.”

To reinforce the importance of adding NovoFly male-only genetically engineered New World screwworm to the nation’s screwworm response and prevention toolbox, NMPF created an easy-to-use comment template for dairy farmers, cooperatives, state associations, and others to add their own support during the public comment period. Additional comments demonstrate broad dairy industry support for effective, environmentally responsible tools to protect U.S. livestock and agriculture from New World screwworm.

USDA on April 17 started building its domestic sterile fly production facility in Edinberg, TX, with operations projected to begin late next year. As of the beginning of May, the nearest screwworm detection has been reported 62 miles from the Texas border in Nuevo Leon. FDA also in April granted Emergency Use Authorization for the F10 Antiseptic Barrier Ointment with Insecticide for application in cattle, specifying a milk discard period of 10 days.

To get involved with NMPF advocacy campaigns, check out the Take Action page of NMPF’s website or visit nmpf.org/subscribe and be sure to check the “Advocacy Alerts” box on the form for future notifications.

House Advances Farm Bill with Key Dairy Provisions

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation welcomed U.S. House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill, a significant step forward for dairy farmers and the broader agricultural economy. The House‑approved package reflects many NMPF priorities and provides critical support at a time of continued volatility and uncertainty for producers.

The legislation strengthens the farm safety net, preserves conservation programs that work for dairy and livestock operations, bolsters trade promotion programs and protects common food names, reinforces dairy’s essential role in nutrition policy and continues support for vital animal health initiatives.

“NMPF commends lawmakers who today stood up for farmers by passing legislation that’s critically important for dairy producers,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement released after the final vote. “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.”

In addition to securing dairy priorities in the committee-approved bill, NMPF partnered with our member cooperatives to defeat harmful amendments related to animal health, Proposition 12, and food aid. NMPF also created an advocacy alert geared toward generating House support and is planning a separate campaign pushing for Senate passage.

NMPF praised House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA, and other dairy champions for advancing the bill through the House and delivering a package that reflects months of stakeholder input and bipartisan work.

Attention now turns to the Senate. NMPF will continue collaborating closely with leaders in both chambers and across party lines to ensure that a comprehensive farm bill reaches the president’s desk — one that delivers certainty, supports innovation, and strengthens the future of U.S. dairy.

State Issues Have National Implications; We’re Going There

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Since it began in 1916, the National Milk Producers Federation has been the premier voice for dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own in Washington, offering federal-level and expertise that best serve our members.

But Washington isn’t the only, or often even the most important, place where policies originate that affect dairy farmers. State legislatures and regulators take actions that often have implications nationwide — and in 2026, understanding state and federal policy, and how they interact, is crucial to advocate effectively at either level. That’s why, as part of NMPF’s longer-term strategic planning, we’re changing how we approach state-level issues, with resources and initiatives to better serve dairy and support advocates at the state level, even as those efforts enhance our work in Washington.

State issues hit farmers differently, depending on where they are. For example, take a look at Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, which shift responsibility for managing packaging waste from consumers and municipalities to producers. The laws have significant implications for dairy farmers and cooperatives — packaging ensures food safety, extends shelf life and maintains product quality.

States including California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington are implementing EPR frameworks. The state-by-state patchwork that’s resulting creates headaches for cooperatives and dairy businesses that operate across state lines. But the issue hasn’t bubbled up to the federal level, which means that, as important as EPR is as a policy issue for dairy, it’s not one that, as of yet, has fallen in NMPF’s “lane” as an organization that advocates on federal policy.

But that doesn’t make it any less important for our members.

Our response on EPR, and on other issues such as raw milk, has been to up our game on understanding state-level issues and helping our members coordinate efforts as what happens in one state is likely to have an echo elsewhere. Delving more deeply into state-level concerns helps us anticipate what’s coming next in Washington and also helps make sure that dairy’s opponents don’t gain wins by bypassing the federal government altogether, without us having done our part to positively influence the debate. In a policy environment where all the pieces fit together in incredibly complex ways, we’re making sure that dairy knows what’s happening in capital cities everywhere — helping us advance dairy in Washington and offering support as needed outside it.

Here are a few of the steps we are taking:

  • We’re strengthening coordination with member cooperatives and state dairy policy associations by designating a point of contact for state and regional issues and holding more regular regional coordination meetings.
  • We’ve established a State Issues Advisory Council to provide insights and feedback on state-level issues and our priorities.
  • We’ve launched a monthly, members-only State Issues Digest that summarizes key issues affecting dairy farms and their cooperatives at the state level.
  • We have also enhanced our State Dairy Association Summit, scheduled for July 14–15 in Arlington, VA, which will bring together state policy partners to discuss emerging developments. The summit will serve as a forum to address shared challenges and opportunities, while also giving our team a valuable opportunity to hear directly what is happening at the state level and explore how we can best support our state partners.

To be clear: All this work doesn’t mean that NMPF is going to become a state-level lobbyist. That’s not our established mission. But by convening experts from across America, providing information and offering case-by-case support, we’re responding to the policy pressures dairy farmers face every day — and enhancing our own work in Washington. It’s a win-win and a challenge we are ready to face.

NMPF exists to serve dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own. We’re the premier dairy advocate in Washington, and we’re proud to do work that matters to every dairy farmer, everywhere, every day. The policy landscape is changing, and we’re taking the lead in responding to it.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with your own observations and concerns. Everyone can be an advocate for dairy, and everyone can serve as eyes and ears at every level of government. Thank you for your help; we aim to serve.

Gregg Doud

President & CEO, NMPF

 

USTR Report Underlines Landmark Wins for Common Name Protections

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and Consortium for Common Food Names welcomed today’s release of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) 2026 Special 301 Report, which details the significant progress made over the past year in securing commitments from U.S. trade partners to protect the free use of generic food and beverage terms.

The annual report documenting the most pressing intellectual property issues facing U.S. exporters this year spotlights the administration’s successful efforts to protect American producers’ use of common names such as “parmesan” and “feta” against the European Union’s protectionist geographical indication (GI) policies. NMPF, USDEC and CCFN have been proud to coordinate with the administration on combatting policies that restrict the use of widely recognized food and beverage terms to only specific European producers and effectively cut U.S. producers out of certain key markets.

“For too long, the EU has weaponized GI policy to crowd out American producers from markets they have served for decades,” Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC, said. “This past year’s reciprocal trade agreements are a sea change, and we welcome USTR’s leadership and persistence in addressing this issue. We encourage the administration to build on this impressive foundation in every remaining negotiation to ensure U.S. exporters are never again shut out of export markets by the EU’s GI misuse.”

“EU GI schemes create a two-tiered system that benefits European dairy producers and stamps out competition,” Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF, said. “NMPF deeply appreciates USTR’s leadership in addressing the GI restrictions detailed in the Special 301 report as a priority trade barrier. We look forward to continuing this great work with USTR.”

“The EU’s approach to geographical indications is simply a dressed-up trade barrier. It is entirely unacceptable,” Jaime Castaneda, executive director of CCFN, said. “Too many trading partners have been coerced into imposing barriers on products using common food names. We greatly appreciate the administration’s leadership in reversing this trend, and we urge USTR to build on their great work securing important protections for common names in nine Agreements on Reciprocal Trade signed to date and protect common names in every market.”

CCFN submitted comments to the agency in January, which broke down the many markets where U.S. dairy producers’ common name rights are being threatened, including “asiago,” “provolone” and “gruyere,” and participated in the Special 301 public hearing USTR held in February. NMPF and USDEC filed supporting comments, expressing gratitude for the administration’s action.

All three organizations will continue to work closely with USTR and U.S. government partners to monitor implementation of the reciprocal trade agreements and to ensure that U.S. trade partners fully meet their commitments to maintaining open and predictable access for U.S. dairy and other common name products.