Author: Theresa Sweeney

NMPF Regulatory Work “Registers” with Influential Audience

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

It may be one of NMPF’s most-hidden secrets to its members – an influential quarterly publication that puts dairy’s side of the story before the government and regulatory experts who directly influence dairy policy. But it’s a secret that’s hiding in plain sight, as the Regulatory Register is a critical part of NMPF regulatory work. And in this week’s Dairy Defined Podcast, the organization’s regulatory team talks about the critical work they’re doing for dairy – and previews the next Register.

“It’s important for us to get our side of the regulatory story out to the broader community, not only the dairy industry itself, but also the regulators at the federal and state level on the variety of issues that happen in the regulatory space that are important for the US dairy industry,” said NMPF’s Chief Science Officer, Jamie Jonker, on the podcast, where he was joined by Senior Vice President for Regulatory Affairs and NMPF Chief Counsel, Clay Detlefsen, and Miquela Hanselman, NMPF’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.

The full podcast is here. You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Broadcast outlets may use the MP3 file below. Please attribute information to NMPF.

NMPF and USDEC Commend Significant New Investment in Export Market Promotion

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) praised today’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it plans to devote $2.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to promoting better market opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers and expanding food aid to support communities in need around the world.

The expanded export support program and food aid were requested by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, and Ranking Member Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, in late August.  USDA will devote $1.3 billion to establishing a Regional Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, and $1 billion to commodity-based international food aid.

“The U.S. dairy community is grateful for the USDA’s decision to invest in supporting the cultivation of enhanced international market opportunities for America’s dairy farmers and cooperatives. We thank Senators Stabenow and Boozman for their initiative in encouraging USDA to pursue this course of action,” said NMPF president and CEO Jim Mulhern. “Now more than ever, the U.S. dairy industry relies on exports. If distributed to those sectors that are presently underfunded such as dairy, the new export promotion funding will put us in a better position to compete globally and grow our consumer base. NMPF encourages Congress to build on today’s announcement by USDA to also deliver additional funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program in the development of the next Farm Bill.”

NMPF, USDEC and other agricultural leaders are advocating for Congress to double funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program – the two programs have not received a raise in over 16 years, despite offering consistent returns on investment.

“Farmers, manufacturers and workers up and down the dairy supply chain benefit from expanded trade opportunities that help the industry thrive in today’s global economy,” said USDEC president and CEO Krysta Harden. “We’re thankful that USDA is taking this important step to support American Agriculture and appreciate Senators Stabenow and Boozman elevating the importance of using CCC resources to fund programs that will strengthen the U.S. dairy industry through the creation of new markets and the promotion of nutritional dairy-containing products in food aid. We look forward to continuing to work together to level the playing field for America’s dairy farmers and producers.”

FMMO Modernization Progresses Slowly; Farm Bill Too

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Between the USDA Federal Milk Marketing Order Modernization hearing and efforts to pass a new farm bill, dairy’s policy plate is full this fall – with plenty of opportunities for different parts of the industry to argue over what’s their favorite dish.

That’s to be expected, and disagreement alone doesn’t forestall progress, said Peter Vitaliano, NMPF vice president for economic policy and market research, in a Dairy Defined podcast released today. “There’s always been contention in this industry, and as an economist, I can appreciate that, because there are genuine economic interests at stake,” he said. “So certain conflicts are inevitable, and they tend to come out in an issue such as federal orders.”

But that said, NMPF’s proposal for comprehensive modernization remains the strongest path forward, as shown in hearing testimony. “It’s almost two years now since National Milk began crafting a very carefully balanced proposal that is in the interest of dairy farmers and their marketing cooperatives,” he said. “I think we’re doing a great job of presenting our case at this hearing. That’s the whole purpose of the hearing, to make our case in great detail based on factual evidence for our proposal, which our board of directors approved unanimously.”

Vitaliano is joined on the podcast by Executive Vice president for Government Relations Paul Bleiberg, discussing the likely path forward for yet-to-be-passed farm bill, a twice-a-decade reauthorization of USDA programs that expired Sept. 30.

For more information on NMPF’s FMMO efforts and to follow the hearing, click here. The full podcast is here. You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Broadcast outlets may use the MP3 file below. Please attribute information

NMPF Engages on New Federal Supply Chain Program

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF and USDEC coordinated a Sept. 8 U.S. Department of Transportation briefing on its Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program to a group of members that have been engaged in the organizations’ supply chain working group.

A novel approach to optimizing supply chain data, FLOW allows U.S. stakeholders including ocean carriers, ports, motor carriers, railroads, warehousers and others to exchange data and better measure cargo traffic demand versus equipment supply. FLOW incorporates elements of the now-defunct USDA Ocean Shipping Container Availability Report, which NMPF and USDEC have long advocated for resuming. The two organizations are also pressing the U.S. government for increased transparency into the export supply chain, including through expanding dairy exporter participation in FLOW.

NMPF Supports USDEC in Shoring Up Ties in Mexico

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda traveled to Mexico on Sept. 25-27 with leadership from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and Dairy Management, Inc. (DMI) to reaffirm the U.S. dairy industry’s commitment to working with Mexico as a key dairy trading partner.

Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC; Barb O’Brien, president and CEO of DMI; Alex Peterson, Missouri dairy producer and chair of USDEC; and Marilyn Hershey, Pennsylvania dairy producer and chair of DMI; and Castaneda took part in a series of meetings with government officials and local dairy industry leaders.

The delegation spoke to Mexico’s importance as a trade partner for the U.S. dairy industry and the organizations’ commitment to building on the foundation that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement has established. The U.S. delegation emphasized the commonality between Mexico and the U.S. dairy industries and the need to defend dairy’s image and provide nutrition to consumers in both countries.

Castaneda raised strong objections to any geographical indications restrictions that the European Union may seek to convince Mexico to impose if they would limit the ability of U.S. exporters to use common cheese names. He also urged the Mexican government to reject proposed regulatory standards that would create unnecessary barriers to trade.

In talks with allied organizations, NMPF, USDEC and DMI offered to collaborate on efforts to increase milk consumption in Mexico through educational and marketing campaigns.

September CWT-Assisted Dairy Export Sales Nearly 10.4 Million Pounds

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) member cooperatives secured 30 contracts in September, adding 2.4 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 99,000 pounds of butter, 719,000 pounds of cream cheese and 7.1 million pounds of whole milk powder to CWT-assisted sales in 2023. In milk equivalent, this is equal to 82.2 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. These products will go to customers in Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, South America and Middle East-North Africa, and will be shipped from September 2023 through March 2024.

CWT-assisted 2023 dairy product sales contracts year-to-date total 36.3 million pounds of American-type cheese, 908,000 pounds of butter, 26,000 pounds of anhydrous milkfat, 6.9 million pounds of cream cheese and 38.6 million pounds of whole milk powder. This brings the total milk equivalent for the year to 692.6 million pounds on a milkfat basis.

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. CWT 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 and related milk volumes reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. CWT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when export and delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

2023 Scholarship Winners Webinar on Oct. 24

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

To highlight the work of NMPF’S 2023 National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Recipients, NMPF is hosting an online seminar on Oct. 24 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. The scholarship program supports master’s and doctoral students conducting research important to dairy farmers.

This year’s five recipients are researching topics ranging from control of Listeria monocytogenes in dairy processing plants, to choline’s role in hepatic metabolism, to evaluating the effects of management and maternal genetics in beef on dairy systems, and more.

Registration for the webinar is free and can be accessed here.

The scholarship program is largely funded through an annual online raffle fundraiser. Tickets may be purchased through Nov. 15, with the raffle drawing to occur at the close of the joint Annual Meeting. Prizes this year include a $1,000 travel voucher, American Express gift cards, Target gift cards, a Cabot Creamery Premium Gift Box, and more.

Sustaining this program means ensuring that critical dairy research may continue. Organizations interested in sponsoring the scholarship program or the fundraising raffle can contact ssaffran@nmpf.org.

FARM Program Launches Enhanced Biosecurity Initiative

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The FARM Program announced the launch of FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced on Oct. 4, a new aspect of the FARM Biosecurity Program that includes training and an online database.

FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced, includes an online database to develop and securely store dairy producers’ enhanced biosecurity plans (EBP) and an online training that helps users write those plans. FARM has also developed a FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced Biosecurity Prep Guide and Database User Guide to complement these tools.

Stronger, or enhanced, levels of biosecurity will be needed to protect cattle against the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) found in two-thirds of the world. One FMD case in the United States could shut down movement across the nation of livestock and their products for at least 72 hours.

FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced incorporates the on-farm elements of the Secure Milk Supply Plan for Continuity of Business. The Secure Milk Supply (SMS) Plan for Continuity of Business was designed to help the dairy industry prepare for an FMD outbreak by providing producers with the tools to develop an enhanced biosecurity plan. The FARM Biosecurity – Enhanced database not only securely stores the EBP plans, but with producer permission will share the plans with state animal health officials for their approval to speed up issuing a movement permit in the event of an FMD outbreak.

FARM Biosecurity has two parts: Everyday Biosecurity for common disease threats and Enhanced Biosecurity for highly contagious foreign animal diseases. The FARM Biosecurity resources aim to protect dairy cattle, build resiliency, and future business continuity opportunities for the dairy industry.

NMPF and the National Dairy FARM Program would like to thank the United States Department of Agriculture National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (USDA NADPRP) for funding the FARM Biosecurity initiative through a cooperative agreement and Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle with Preventalytics who was instrumental in the development of the FARM Biosecurity resources.

To learn more about the FARM Program or access protocol templates and training aids, visit the FARM website: nationaldairyfarm.com

To learn more about the Secure Milk Supply Plan, access templates, standard operating procedures, movement logs, and more, visit securemilk.org.

NMPF, FARM Program at IDF World Dairy Summit, World Dairy Expo

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF and the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is being well-represented at two key fall events for dairy in October, the International Dairy Federation 2023 World Dairy Summit in Chicago, Oct. 15-19, and the World Dairy Expo Oct. 3-6 in Madison, WI.

The IDF 2023 World Dairy Summit’s Chicago meeting will be the first hosted by the United States since 1993 and is largely the result of NMPF and U.S. Dairy Export Council leadership, complemented by extensive sponsorship and staff support by Dairy Management Inc. and additional support from others in the U.S. dairy industry. NMPF Executive Vice President for Trade Policy & Global Affairs Shawna Morris and Nick Gardner, USDEC’s Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Multilateral Affairs are co-chairs of the event, which will draw a global contingent of dairy leaders and experts from over 50 countries to discuss critical issues for the industry including those pertaining to trade, farming practices, processing innovations, emerging technologies, food safety topics, sustainability issues, and other subjects.

In addition to Morris’ Co-Chair role, NMPF’s presence at the Summit will include remarks by NMPF First Vice chairman Simon Vander Woude, NMPF Animal Health and Wellbeing Committee Chairwoman Karen Jordan, NMPF Young Cooperator Chairwoman Lorilee Schultz, NMPF Executive Vice President for Policy Development and Strategy Jaime Castaneda, NMPF Chief Science Officer and Vice President for Sustainability & Scientific Affairs Jamie Jonker, NMPF Sr. Vice President for Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Clay Detlefsen and NMPF Vice President of Global Economic Affairs Will Loux.

NMPF’s Senior Director of Communicators and Outreach Theresa Sweeney-Murphy has organized the IDF World Dairy Summit’s first-ever Young Farmer Roundtable to build on the success of NMPF’s Young Cooperator program by providing networking opportunities specifically targeted at young farmers from around the world. While in Chicago, NMPF will also hold meetings with key dairy allies and counterparts from other markets. In addition, NMPF is joining US-IDF, USDEC, ADPI (American Dairy Products Institute) and IDFA in co-sponsoring the U.S. reception at the summit on Oct. 15.

The FARM team has supported development of several opportunities for international attendees to visit U.S. dairy farms and facilities in Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana, and will also have a booth and staff at the event, which is expected to draw 1,100 attendees. Registration is still open here.

At World Dairy Expo, the annual event in Madison, WI, that’s the industry’s largest trade show, both NMPF and FARM are sponsoring events. The FARM booth will be open throughout the week, and highlighted events included Tuesday’s Mooving Cows Seminar presented by Dr. Jennifer Van Os*; Thursday seminars hosted by NMPF’s Young Cooperators; a session on farm policy featuring Land O’Lakes executive Pete Kappelman and NMPF Chief Operating Officer Gregg Doud; and FARM; discussions on Friday featuring NMPF Young Cooperators and Dairy Girl Network present: Tanbark Talk along with a separate discussion on Career Connections.

NMPF Reorganizes Staff as Doud Begins Service

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF announced a significant staff reorganization Sept. 7 as it transitions to new leadership, with incoming President & CEO Gregg Doud beginning work with the organization as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, a position he will hold until current President & CEO Jim Mulhern retires in January.

“I am excited to announce these changes, which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of our organizational structure,” said Mulhern. “They also recognize the significant contributions of the affected individuals to our overall success in recent years and position the organization well for even greater success in the future.”

As part of the reorganization, NMPF named three Executive Vice Presidents – Paul Bleiberg, Shawna Morris and Alan Bjerga – as part of the reorganization, recognizing responsibilities that are expanding across NMPF teams. Bleiberg will serve as Executive Vice President, Government Relations; Morris as Executive Vice President, Trade Policy & Global Affairs; and Bjerga as Executive Vice President, Communications and Industry Relations.

Other promotions include David West to Chief Administrative Officer; Stephen Cain to Senior Director, Economic Research & Analysis; Beverly Hampton Pfifer to Senior Director, FARM Animal Care; Theresa Sweeney-Murphy as Senior Director, Communications and Outreach; Miquela Hanselman to Director, Regulatory Affairs; and Tony Rice to Director, Trade Policy. Staffers receiving title changes in line with new responsibilities are Chris Galen, who will serve as Senior Vice President of Member Services and Governance, and Claudia Larson, Senior Director, Government Relations & Head of Nutrition Policy.

NMPF Provides Comments to Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF’s Regulatory Affairs Director, along with an Olympic athlete (and dairy farmer), told the government’s Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee how dairy is a critical part of American diets that should be considered for its full range of benefits in comments made before the panel Sept. 12.

Miquela Hanselman from NMPF, and Elle St. Pierre, a farmer-member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative and a world medalist track athlete who represented the United States in the women’s 1,500-meter race in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, both offered their perspectives on dairy’s role in the diet before the panel that will shape the scientific report informing the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Hanselman’s comments focused heavily on how dairy at all fat levels haven neutral or positive health benefits and how current guidelines work against including the varieties of milk that Americans consume the most.

“With the scientific question focused on sources of saturated fats, this committee has the opportunity to remedy a previous oversight and include the newer science on dairy fats and the dairy matrix,” she said. “Dairy foods, regardless of fat level, appear to have either neutral or beneficial effects on chronic disease risks including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and stroke. This committee shouldn’t default to the overly broad recommendation to avoid saturated fats regardless of food source.”

St. Pierre, a U.S. track and field champion and recent new mom, spoke out against the proliferation of plant-based imitation beverages that offer wildly inconsistent nutritional value, cautioning against any consideration of them as potential dairy replacements.

Plant-based beverages “are so nutritionally different from real milk that whether one views them positively or negatively, their impact on health cannot be assumed to be the same as, or even similar to, that of milk,” said St. Pierre, who lives near Berkshire, VT. “I strongly caution against and oppose any inference that health impacts associated with milk consumption would apply to plant-based milk alternatives.”

Public oral comments are part of the committee’s information-gathering process for the next set of guidelines. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is convened every five years by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services to make recommendations for American diets, affecting many federal nutrition programs.