Author: Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF Statement on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

From NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud:

“NMPF thanks HHS and USDA for recognizing dairy’s critical role in a healthy diet in the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as shown by its continued recommendation of three servings of dairy for Americans, its recognition of dairy’s benefits at all fat levels, and dairy’s prominence in diverse diets. We are proud to benefit American health in fundamental ways, and we welcome the potential these guidelines hold for expanding upon dairy’s critical role in the diet.

“As also shown in the scientific report that preceded today’s guidelines, reducing or eliminating dairy from the diet leads to undernourishment in key nutrients for millions of Americans. These guidelines encourage consumption of dairy nutrients critical to human health. Meanwhile, not all fats are created equal, and because the guidelines acknowledge this, dairy’s benefits are better reflected in this iteration of the guidelines.

“Now that the guidelines are out, the federal government will begin applying them across federal programs. We look forward to working with the entire nutrition community to ensure that dairy is best used to generate positive health outcomes for families across America.”

NMPF Welcomes Forsyth as Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Trey Forsyth, a native of Iowa agriculture with wide-ranging Washington experience, this week is joining NMPF as its new vice president of government and regulatory affairs.

In this role, Forsyth will oversee the development and execution of comprehensive legislative and regulatory strategies to advance NMPF’s goals for the dairy community at the national level.

Forsyth brings extensive experience in government affairs. In July 2025, he was named acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. In this role, Forsyth led the USDA Office of Food Safety, which oversees FSIS.

Prior to joining USDA, Forsyth served as a professional staff member for the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). In this role, he handled livestock, poultry, dairy, animal health, food safety and tax portfolios. Additionally, Forsyth served as senior manager of federal and industry relations for Land O’Lakes, director of government affairs at the Torrey Advisory Group and policy advisor to the chief agriculture negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Forsyth holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business, public service and administration from Iowa State University and grew up on his family’s swine and row crop farm in northeast Iowa.

Merck, Meristem, NEDPA and C-Lock Join NMPF

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Merck Animal Health, Meristem Crop Performance, Northeast Dairy Producers Association and C-Lock joined NMPF late last year as associate members.

Merck Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, producers, pet owners and governments one of the widest ranges of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services as well as an extensive suite of connected technology that includes identification, traceability and monitoring products. Merck Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals and the people who care for them.

Meristem Crop Performance helps farmers produce more bushels for less cost per bushel. As the global leader in delivering live, in-field biologicals through the patented BIO-CAPSULE™ Technology platform, Meristem significantly reduces waste in crop input systems through improved supply chain efficiency and advanced concentrates. Meristem was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Powell, OH.

Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) has served as the voice, resource and network for New York’s family dairy farms for more than three decades. NEDPA is an organization of dairy producers and industry partners committed to an economically viable, consumer-conscious dairy industry dedicated to the care and well-being of its communities, its environment, its employees and its cows.

C-Lock Inc. provides solutions for measuring and improving livestock efficiency and sustainability worldwide through GreenFeed and SmartFeed technologies. GreenFeed delivers precise methane and carbon dioxide emissions data, helping researchers and producers across the globe make informed decisions on nutrition, genetics, and environmental impact. SmartFeed tracks feed intake and efficiency, offering valuable insights into animal performance and health. C-Lock also offers SmartScale and SmartWater systems that give dairy producers precise measurement tools and valuable insights for improved herd performance. C-Lock is headquartered in Rapid City, SD and was founded in 2005.

2025 NEXT-Assisted Export Sales Surpass 141.5 Million Pounds

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NEXT member cooperatives secured 66 contracts in December, adding 24.2 million pounds of product to NEXT-assisted sales in 2025, capping off an impressive inaugural year. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, North America, Middle East-North Africa, Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa and South America and will be shipped from December 2025 through May 2026.

NEXT-assisted 2025 dairy product sales totaled over 141.5 million pounds on product volume basis. Product destinations include Asia, Oceania, Central America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Middle East-North Africa, Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa and South America.

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 cheese, butter, anhydrous milkfat, cream cheese, or whole milk powder, 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 amounts of dairy products reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. NEXT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when export and delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

U.S. Secures Continued Tariff-Free Access to Colombian Market

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF efforts with the U.S. Dairy Export Council against a meritless Colombian investigation into milk power efforts paid off with a Dec. 30 Colombian government decision to terminate an ongoing case and not impose tariffs.  

The Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism decision to dismiss a Subsidies and Countervailing Measures investigation on milk powder imports from the United States due to lack of merit came after extensive U.S. government collaboration with NMPF, USDEC and their members in successfully rebut Colombia’s allegations.  

NMPF and USDEC coordinated a multi-faceted response to the case, which was launched in 2024. It alleged, without factual basis, that U.S. milk powders were unfairly subsidized and harmed Colombian dairy producers. NMPF and USDEC demonstrated that the Colombian government’s methodology was flawed, that assumed benefits to the U.S. dairy industry were miscalculated, and that no evidence of harm to Colombia’s domestic dairy sector could be substantiated. 

“The U.S. dairy industry secured hard-won access to the Colombian market more than a decade ago, and as of this year tariffs have now fully phased out,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF, in a statement after the decision. “Attempts to restrict U.S. access through bogus claims and misused trade tools set a dangerous precedent not only for dairy exports but for all U.S. trade. We commend the U.S. government and our members for working with us to coordinate a strong, credible defense and to send a clear message that efforts to evade trade agreement commitments will not be tolerated.” 

NMPF and USDEC Executive Vice President Jaime Castaneda testified on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry at an October 2024 hearing, clarifying how USDA programs work to refute the unfounded claims by Colombian producers. Colombia initially imposed preliminary countervailing duties of 4.86% on U.S. milk powder imports but chose not to extend them when the temporary measures expired in January 2025, following the sustained campaign coordinated by NMPF and USDEC.  

U.S. dairy exports to Colombia exceeded $128 million in 2024. Tariffs on U.S. dairy products were fully eliminated at the beginning of 2026 under the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which NMPF and USDEC worked with the U.S. government to secure in 2012. 

DMC Margin Drifts Toward Payments

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The November margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage Program fell to $10.04/cwt in November, another month of decline, as margins neared the $9.50 trigger level for payments at the maximum level of coverage.

The November decline was driven by a $0.18/cwt rise in the DMC feed cost formula and a $0.30/cwt drop in the all-milk price over the month. At the end of the year, the DMC Decision Tool on the USDA website predicted the December margin would be $9.19/cwt, which would generate a $0.31/cwt payment for $9.50/cwt coverage should that occur. That would be the only DMC payment for 2025.

DMC margins declined in September and October, according to USDA data released after the recent government shutdown, were $10.87/cwt and $10.52/cwt, respectively.

Jonker Shares Importance of Animal Health Funding

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Chief Science Officer Jamie Jonker participated in three virtual listening sessions Dec. 9-11 hosted by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to share NMPF’s stance on upcoming animal health funding needs.

APHIS is advancing animal disease preparedness and response through its Farm Bill animal health programs and increasing its budget to $233 million annually beginning in 2026. This includes:

  • $153 million per year for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank;
  • $70 million per year for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program; and
  • $10 million per year for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.

During the stakeholder listening sessions, NMPF shared the importance of using the increased NAVVCB funding to expand antigen and vaccine stockpiles to ensure rapid deployment during an outbreak, using the NADPRP funding to expand biosecurity and animal disease outbreak resources, and using NAHLN funding to expand laboratory capacity, enhance diagnostic technology, and strengthen IT systems for faster data sharing.

NMPF Leads Charge to Prioritize Dairy in 2026 USMCA Review

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

As preparations continue for the 2026 review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council are advancing a coordinated strategy to ensure the agreement delivers on its promises to U.S. dairy producers.

NMPF Executive Vice President for Trade Policy and Global Affairs Shawna Morris testified before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative at a Dec. 3 hearing, to highlight the trade pact’s importance for U.S. dairy producers and emphasize the need for the administration to address violations of USMCA dairy commitments. Morris detailed how Canada continues to manipulate dairy tariff-rate quotas and offload surplus nonfat milk solids into global markets at artificially low prices. She also pointed to Mexico’s failure to implement USMCA protections for common cheese names like “feta.”

Congress reinforced the message the same day, as a bipartisan group of 74 House members sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer urging the administration to address unresolved dairy issues in the USMCA review. Developed with support from NMPF, USDEC, and dairy stakeholders, the letter calls out Canada’s unfair import restrictions and global dumping practices, while pressing for full implementation of Mexico’s commitments on common cheese names.

NMPF and USDEC also took their case directly to Capitol Hill. NMPF Trade Policy Director Tony Rice participated in a pair of briefings for House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee staff on Dec. 9 and 10 as part of the new U.S. Agriculture Coalition for USMCA. Rice emphasized the importance of targeted improvements to the agreement, noting that 44 percent of U.S. dairy exports by value went to Mexico and Canada last year.

The progress builds on sustained engagement by NMPF and USDEC, including joint written comments submitted Oct. 31, an Aug. 5 appearance before the U.S. International Trade Commission, and multiple filings tied to the Commission’s investigation into nonfat milk solids competitiveness that will inform the administration’s approach to address Canada’s offloading of dairy proteins.

All together, these efforts reflect NMPF’s ongoing push to ensure the USMCA review strengthens the agreement, holds U.S. trading partners accountable, and delivers fair market access for American dairy producers.

Whole Milk in Schools Becoming Law, and Dairy Celebrates

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Years of legislative effort ended with victory for schoolchildren, dairy farmers and their cooperatives as Congress passed and a presidential signature is imminent for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a landmark restoration of choice in school meals.

The legislation gives schools the option of serving whole and 2% milk varieties in federally funded programs, returning fuller-fat varieties that had been left out of lunches since federal rules in 2012 pushed them out. Overwhelming congressional support, backed by newer nutrition science and pro-milk public sentiment, made legislation once considered aspirational a reality for dairy.

“It’s hard to overstate the significance of congressional passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, not only because it represents major progress in improving the nourishment of American schoolkids, but also because of what it says about how persistent, long-term effort can still bring bipartisan success in Congress,” NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement.

“Since 2012, when federal nutrition rules took whole and 2% milk out of school meals programs, dairy farmers and their cooperatives have pointed out the flaws in that decision, which wasn’t aligned with consumer choice. What was true then became even more true in years to come, as newer research consistently showed the value of milk at all fat levels and consumers moved even further toward fuller-fat varieties in their purchases.

“And now the day has arrived. We thank Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania and Representative Kim Schrier of Washington for their critical roles in championing the most recent version of this important legislation to the finish line and the many other congressional leaders who preceded them in their efforts to protect access to nutritious milk in schools. Dairy doesn’t succeed without tireless advocates on Capitol Hill, and it’s been an honor to work with these members and their staff in this effort.

NMPF led the way in congressional lobbying, with Executive Vice President Paul Bleiberg’s efforts singled out in Senate and House floor speeches backing the measure. NMPF has approached the issue on multiple fronts. From working with senators and House members to meeting with USDA to filing regulatory comments, NMPF worked to successfully reinstate 1% flavored milk in school meal programs in 2022, setting the stage for further advances in whole milk.

The legislative lift complete, the next step will be USDA implementation, as dairy cooperatives prepare to supply schools with whole milk. NMPF will be monitoring developments closely and keeping members in the loop as whole and 2% milk returns to school meals. Meanwhile, the organization eagerly implements the announcement of new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which also is expected to support dairy at all fat levels.

U.S. Secures Continued Tariff-Free Access to Colombian Market

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council welcomed the Colombian government’s decision to dismiss a Subsidies and Countervailing Measures investigation on milk powder imports from the United States due to lack of merit. The organizations expressed deep appreciation to the U.S. government for its collaboration with NMPF, USDEC and their members in successfully rebutting Colombia’s allegations.

NMPF and USDEC coordinated a multi-faceted response to the case, which was launched in 2024 and alleged, without factual basis, that U.S. milk powders were unfairly subsidized and harmed Colombian dairy producers. Working closely with U.S. government officials, member companies and cooperatives, and Colombian industry partners, NMPF and USDEC demonstrated that the Colombian government’s methodology was flawed, that assumed benefits to the U.S. dairy industry were miscalculated, and that no evidence of harm to Colombia’s domestic dairy sector could be substantiated.

“The U.S. dairy industry secured hard-won access to the Colombian market more than a decade ago, and as of this year tariffs have now fully phased out,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “Attempts to restrict U.S. access through bogus claims and misused trade tools set a dangerous precedent not only for dairy exports but for all U.S. trade. We commend the U.S. government and our members for working with us to coordinate a strong, credible defense and to send a clear message that efforts to evade trade agreement commitments will not be tolerated.”

“U.S. dairy producers and processors expect our trading partners to honor their market access commitments,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “USDEC thanks the U.S. government in Washington and Bogota, as well as our members, for their support in presenting overwhelming evidence to rebut Colombia’s politically driven investigation. We welcome Colombia’s decision to abandon the case and maintain zero-tariff access for U.S. dairy exports in this important market.”

Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president for policy development and strategy for NMPF and USDEC, testified on behalf of the U.S. dairy industry at an October 2024 hearing, clarifying how USDA programs work to refute the unfounded claims by Colombian producers. Colombia initially imposed preliminary countervailing duties of 4.86% on U.S. milk powder imports but chose not to extend them when the temporary measures expired in January 2025, following the sustained campaign coordinated by NMPF and USDEC.

The Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism formally terminated the investigation on Dec. 30, 2025, determining that no additional tariffs were warranted.

U.S. dairy exports to Colombia exceeded $128 million in 2024. Tariffs on U.S. dairy products were fully eliminated at the beginning of 2026 under the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which NMPF and USDEC worked with the U.S. government to secure in 2012.

Whole Milk Win Points the Way Forward

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

What a great way to end a year — and begin a new one.

It’s hard to overstate the importance of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which is now law, not only because it represents major progress in improving the nourishment of American schoolkids, but because of what it says about the moment that dairy is experiencing, and the great opportunities this industry has to build on that momentum.

Just as much as $11 billion in new plant investment the industry is now experiencing, this legislation’s passage tells the story of how dairy has reasserted itself as essential to the American diet, after that position was seemingly threatened merely a dozen years ago. When whole milk was restricted from school menus in 2012, it was billed as a health measure — in that telling, milk had too much saturated fat, and too many calories, to be acceptable in anything other than 1% or skim forms. The types of milk Americans drank most at the time — whole and 2% milkfat — were rendered suspect in the eyes of the federal government, a move with significant implications for federal programs and the next generation of milk-drinkers.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, an effort led in the House by Rep. GT Thompson since 2019, frankly, was considered “aspirational” for several years — a nice idea, but not one with much hope of becoming reality. Demonization of dairy was rampant in media, and plant-based beverages were the next big thing, with sales and market share rising. It would have been easy at that time to have despaired for the industry, which also was going through a period of low prices and intensified consolidation.

But dairy farmers had a product they believed in. And in retrospect, from “almonds don’t lactate” statements at FDA to falling sales in some plant-based beverage categories, cracks were showing in the “Death of Dairy” armor.

The COVID-19 pandemic was the inflection point, as consumers increasingly sought tried-and-true nutrition options and became better educated about dairy’s value — as a result, they began buying noticeably more of it. Cottage cheese became a Gen Z craze that spread. Whey protein became the go-to energy supplement. Even as schools restricted options, the percentage of milk bought at retail that was whole or 2% increased. Plant-based beverage sales peaked in 2021 and have been declining since. Fluid milk sales reversed decades of decline, increasing in 2023.

Just as importantly, science began to more convincingly support what we knew all along — dairy fats don’t deserve demonization, and in fact have nutritional values we didn’t fully understand earlier. As fat concerns were shown to be overblown, it wasn’t just parents who endorsed dairy — it was leading nutritionists. And with marketplace and scientific consensus in alignment, Congress began to notice. Whole milk legislation moved from dream to no-brainer; in 2023 it became an overwhelmingly bipartisan reality in the House of Representatives, which easily passed GT Thompson’s bill. It would have passed the Senate too, were it not for concerns that Congress was outrunning the dietary guidelines, which was still looking backward at the science. We went to work on overcoming that concern, both in congressional advocacy and in reinforcing the newer finding on whole milk benefits.

And here we are today.

A successful effort such as this doesn’t come without a lot of work from a lot of people. Without consumer demand, political popularity doesn’t happen. Without scientists, the reassurance of skeptics that whole milk really should be back in schools doesn’t happen. Without the leadership in Congress, beginning with GT Thompson and co-sponsor Rep. Kim Schrier, as well as Senate sponsors Sens. Roger Marshall and Peter Welch, the bill doesn’t get the congressional attention needed to move forward. And without the united strength of dairy advocates, including company, state-level and association lobbyists, this issue doesn’t get in front of enough lawmaker desks to break through.

But I would like to single out one person for special recognition as this critical legislation is poised for passage. Paul Bleiberg, our Executive Vice President for Government Relations, fought for this legislation every stop of the way. From his early conversations with Thompson staff to his efforts to keep the legislation on the agenda, Paul has known how to harness public sentiment for effective advocacy and show leadership across the entire policy community to make the legislation got over the finish line. Paul deserves special recognition for efforts that will meaningfully improve the nutrition of children and the benefits that dairy farmers can provide. That’s a unique accomplishment, and Paul deserves all recognition he may receive.

Working for dairy is what we do. But it’s not just that. We work for dairy so that dairy can work for everyone. Restoring whole milk in schools helps dairy farmers better nourish a nation. That’s no small thing. It takes years.

Yes, there are frustrations — with the government, with prices, with all the challenges and inadequacies of living and working in challenging times, every day. But let’s not pass up the moment to celebrate, recognize and appreciate. Thank you to Paul, to the dairy community, to congressional leaders, and to consumers. We’re making a better world, and that doesn’t happen without you. Happy New Year.

Gregg Doud

President & CEO, NMPF