Doud Calls for Greater Trade Enforcement in Congressional Hearing, Ag Outlook Forum

NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud told members of the House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee on Feb. 25 that the U.S. government needs to make sure trade agreements are enforced, benefiting dairy producers, workers, and shippers who rely on exports.

“In addition to pursuing greater market access, Congress and the administration have a responsibility to work together to enforce existing U.S trade agreements,” Doud said in his oral remarks. “Trade enforcement is not a matter of political or legal technicalities. We have seen that inadequate enforcement has real-world consequences by restricting opportunities for American farmers.”

Exports are indispensable for U.S. dairy farmers and workers, Doud said in the opening of his testimony. Most of those dairy exports are shipped to markets where the United States has an existing bilateral trade agreement—underscoring the need for an initiative-taking U.S. trade agenda. Doud urged policymakers to pursue trade policies that empower U.S. dairy to compete with the European Union and New Zealand, who have benefited from increased market access from recent trade agreements made by their governments.

Priority U.S. trade agreements for enforcement and focus include the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Doud said. Roughly 44 percent of U.S. dairy exports are shipped to USMCA partners, illustrating why it is critical to ensure that Canada and Mexico are in full compliance and that the United States maximize dairy export opportunities with both partners, he said.

Doud in both written and oral testimony outlined specific USMCA enforcement issues the United States should prioritize, including Canada’s misadministration of its tariff-rate quota system and circumvention of dairy protein export caps. Doud emphasized the need for new deals that cut tariffs, tackle nontariff trade barriers, and are vigorously enforced.

A link to his written testimony can be found here.

Doud later that week spoke at the USDA’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, elaborating on his testimony with an overview of U.S. trade relationships around the world, specifically calling out the European Union for misusing rules and protections to shield their markets from U.S. farmers.

“If I say anything nice about the way Brussels does ag, it was completely by mistake,” he said. “I think it is also reasonable to assume its own farmers have the same opinion.”

Later that day Doud joined a roundtable discussion hosted by the House Agriculture Committee to discuss how Congress and the Trump Administration can promote trade policies that best support the dairy and agricultural industries.

NMPF Pushes for Vaccine as USDA Unveils Bird Flu Plan Dairy Cattle

USDA’s announcement Feb. 26 of an additional billion dollars to combat H5N1 bird flu was welcomed in the dairy and poultry communities, as NMPF and its counterparts at the International Dairy Foods Association commended USDA support for vaccines as part of its strategy to eradicate the virus.

“Dairy farmers and cooperatives appreciate USDA’s leadership in supporting American agriculture and safeguarding animal health as it deals with what soon will be a second year of H5N1 bird flu disruptions in dairy cattle. Dairy farmers and all of agriculture takes biosecurity seriously, and we thank USDA and the Trump Administration for actions that will further those efforts,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement released jointly with IDFA shortly after USDA’s announcement.

“We support the department’s initiatives to advance vaccine development and deployment that will help control, and ultimately eliminate, the virus in dairy cattle,” he continued. “We also want to remind consumers that, even as dairy farmers are working with veterinarians and officials at all levels of government to eliminate this animal health threat, milk for consumers remains safe to drink because of the effectiveness of pasteurization.”

Groups representing wide swaths of American agriculture have been collaborating as avian influenza continues to destroy poultry flocks and infect and evolve in dairy cattle across the United States, with the leading dairy, turkey, and egg laying associations urging USDA and its federal partners to support development of safe and effective H5Nx vaccinations for dairy cows, turkeys, and egg-laying hens.

The leaders of NMPF, IDFA, United Egg Producers and National Turkey Federation in a Feb. 14 letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called attention to the urgency of the situation and requested to meet share more with the secretary.

“If this virus continues to circulate among dairy herds, turkey and egg layer operations, wild mammals, wild birds, and people working closely with birds and dairy cows, it will remain a significant and imposing threat to our nation’s food security and, therefore, our national security,” the organizations say in their letter. The letter also highlights the importance of working with international trade partners to ensure “policies reflect the new realities of a world that is constantly combating H5Nx.”

The letter from NMPF and other partners was delivered the same day Zoetis announced that the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics issued the company a conditional license for its Avian Influenza Vaccine, H5N2 Subtype, Killed Virus, which is labeled for use in chickens. The broiler industry has come out against vaccines to date because of possible effects on trade.

NMPF Board Member Advocates for Dairy Priorities at Senate Hearing

Sixth-generation Vermont dairy farmer and NMPF Board Member Harold Howrigan urged the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee to swiftly advance a five-year farm bill that renews the Dairy Margin Coverage program while also addressing other major dairy issues.

Howrigan, a board member of Dairy Farmers of America, a Kansas City, KS-based NMPF member cooperative, testified on NMPF’s behalf at a hearing held last Wednesday.

Howrigan focused on the dairy industry’s ongoing work with USDA and the Food and Drug Administration to safeguard dairy herds and farm employees from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A H5N1. NMPF is pressing for swift advancement of effective H5N1 vaccines for dairy cattle, combined with a risk-based vaccine deployment strategy which mitigates trading partner concerns.

“We appreciate USDA’s work to accelerate vaccine development and urge that a vaccine be made available as soon as possible,” Howrigan said.

Howrigan also touted the revamped dairy safety net authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill and strengthened by subsequent legislative and administrative actions.

“The Dairy Margin Coverage program has served farmers well during difficult times. Since it was implemented six years ago, my farm has consistently purchased the maximum $9.50 coverage,” he said.

Howrigan called labor and trade issues essential priorities for dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own, urging Congress to pass long-overdue immigration legislation that meets dairy’s unique labor needs and to work with the administration to seek new market access worldwide.

“Failing to act risks damaging the vitality of our entire sector,” he said.

Finally, Howrigan urged the committee to pass the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, spearheaded by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT. As he reminded members at the hearing, “Dairy is a nutrition powerhouse but continues to be under consumed by most Americans.”

NMPF’s Statement on Jamieson Greer’s Confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative

From Gregg Doud, President and CEO of NMPF:

“On behalf of the U.S. dairy industry, congratulations to Jamieson Greer on his confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative.

Exports play an indispensable role in supporting America’s dairy farmers and workers across the country. As I know first-hand from my prior work with him at USTR, Ambassador Greer will be a strong advocate for American farmers and American-made products. His talents as a trade lawyer are exceptional. We are eager to work with him and his team to secure opportunities for U.S. dairy producers to compete on a level global playing field and grow export markets.”

NMPF Board Member Advocates for H5N1 Vaccine, Dairy Priorities at Senate Hearing

Vermont dairy farmer Harold Howrigan, a member of the NMPF Board of Directors, urged the Senate Agriculture Committee to swiftly advance a five-year farm bill that renews the Dairy Margin Coverage program. He also addressed other major dairy issues, including the need for effective H5N1 vaccines for dairy cattle.  

Howrigan, a sixth-generation farmer who also serves on the board of NMPF member cooperative Dairy Farmers of America, testified on NMPF’s behalf at a hearing held today. 

Howrigan in his testimony focused on the dairy industry’s ongoing work with USDA and the Food and Drug Administration to safeguard dairy herds and farm employees from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A H5N1, a.k.a bird flu. NMPF is pressing for swift advancement of effective H5N1 vaccines for dairy cattle as part of a risk-based vaccine deployment strategy that mitigates trading partner concerns.  

“We appreciate USDA’s work to accelerate vaccine development and urge that a vaccine be made available as soon as possible,” Howrigan said. 

Howrigan also touted the revamped dairy safety net authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill and strengthened by subsequent legislative and administrative actions. “The Dairy Margin Coverage program has served farmers well during difficult times. Since it was implemented six years ago, my farm has consistently purchased the maximum $9.50 coverage,” he said. 

Howrigan also emphasized how important labor and trade issues are to dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own. He urged Congress to pass long-overdue immigration legislation that meets dairy’s unique labor needs and to work with the administration to seek new market access worldwide. “Failing to act risks damaging the vitality of our entire sector,” Howrigan said. 

Finally, Howrigan urged the committee to pass the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, spearheaded by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Sen. Peter Welch, D-VT.  “Dairy is a nutrition powerhouse, but continues to be under consumed by most Americans,” he said. 

NMPF’s Doud Urges More Dairy Trade Opportunities Before Subcommittee

Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), told the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee today that expanding market access and enforcing existing trade agreements to America’s dairy producers, workers and exporters is of paramount importance.

“To keep up with our competitors from Europe and New Zealand, U.S. dairy exporters need new trade deals that cut tariffs and tackle nontariff trade barriers,” Doud said in his written testimony. “Whether the U.S. government prioritizes the enforcement the trade agreements it has negotiated and addresses trade barriers targeting U.S. exports will determine whether American farmers and workers will actually benefit from the market access that has and will be promised.”

The U.S. dairy industry last year exported close to $8.3 billion in dairy products overseas, supporting thousands of jobs across the country, despite competing against global counterparts who benefit from more recent and expansive trade agreements. Doud highlighted the critical role of existing U.S. trade agreements and called on Congress and the Trump Administration to pursue and enforce trade policies that empower the U.S dairy industry to grow its business internationally.

Doud also detailed specific agreements for the U.S. government to prioritize greater enforcement, including:

  • Fixing the United States’ deeply imbalanced agricultural trade relationship with the European Union.
  • Ensuring Canada holds up its end of the bargain on dairy in USMCA by fixing both the export issues into Canada and the excessive offloading of artificially low-price Canadian dairy protein into the U.S. and global markets.
  • Following through with China on increasing its purchases of U.S. dairy products, ensuring timely facility listing updates, and providing protection for common names.
  • Resolving India’s longstanding high tariffs and unscientific certification requirements.

“Our competitors are not slowing down,” Doud said. “They are targeting highly valuable and important dairy markets, with the backing of their governments’ proactive trade agendas. We are hopeful that the U.S. government will take this as a challenge to stand up for U.S. dairy and U.S. agriculture. Our farmers deserve a level playing field and are counting on their government to deliver.”

NMPF Welcomes New Staff

NMPF has started the new year with two new staff members playing crucial roles in the organization.

Ashley Childs is joining the NMPF team as its new Manager of Finance and Administration, overseeing billing and payment functions such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and contract billing.

Childs brings nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality industry. She spent the past eight years at George Washington’s Mount Vernon as the Assistant Director of Food and Beverage, where she managed $8 million in annual revenue and oversaw 25 staff. She was critical in negotiating, contracting, and billing $2 million in banquets annually, reconciling these funds in the point-of-sale system, and collaborating with the accounting team to resolve discrepancies and align expenses with budgets.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Childs holds a degree in Tourism and Hospitality from Temple University, with a focus on Operations.

Pat Vincent joined NMPF as its Director of Economic Policy and Market Research late in 2024. He provides valuable economic insights and research, with a particular focus on the U.S. dairy markets, offering commentary on farm economics, consumer dairy demand, and macroeconomic conditions affecting the U.S. dairy industry.

Prior to NMPF, Pat Vincent was the Senior Global Economics Analyst from General Mills, where he oversaw global agriculture commodities.

He holds a degree in Economics and an MBA from the University of Denver. With more than a decade of experience in market analysis and economic research, Pat brings a wealth of expertise to NMPF. Accompanying him in Virginia is his cheerful dog, Roy, a young Sheltie.

Port Labor Strife Resolution Welcomed

Following engagement from NMPF and USDEC with the Biden Administration and the then-incoming Trump team, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance reached a tentative six-year contract on Jan. 8 for the United States’ East and Gulf Coast ports, avoiding a damaging strike for dairy exporters.

While the agreement is still pending ILA ratification, the deal averted a strike that was authorized to begin on Jan. 15.

The agreement came after NMPF, USDEC, and more than 50 additional leading U.S. agriculture organizations sent letters to President Biden and then President-elect Trump on Dec. 19, calling for the federal government to help ensure a lasting resolution to the labor negotiations that had reached a stalemate.

In the letters, NMPF and the co-signers detailed the extensive damage that resulted from the previous strike, which lasted from Oct. 1-3. Initially, shipments were paused to prevent a backlog and then proceeded at a below average pace once the ILA agreed to extend their existing contract until Jan. 15, 2025. An estimated $13.5 million in U.S. dairy exports were affected, with members reporting cancelled sales and costly reroutes due to the disruptions.

NMPF engaged with USDA leading up to the contract deadline in January, sharing dairy exporter needs and urging the administration to avoid any potential port labor strikes.

NMPF Accepting Applications for 2025 Scholarship Program

NMPF is now accepting applications for its National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program for academic year 2025-2026.

NMPF awards scholarships each year to outstanding graduate students who are actively pursuing dairy-related fields of research of immediate interest to NMPF member cooperatives and the U.S. dairy industry at large.

Graduate students pursuing research with direct benefit to milk marketing cooperatives and dairy producers may apply (applicants do not need to be members of NMPF to qualify). Recommended fields of study include but are not limited to Agriculture Communications and Journalism, Animal Health, Animal and/or Human Nutrition, Bovine Genetics, Dairy Products Processing, Dairy Science, Economics, Environmental Science, Food Science, Food Safety, Herd Management, and Marketing and Price Analysis.

Applications must be received no later than Wednesday, April 23. To apply or for more information, visit the NMPF website or email scholarship@nmpf.org.

Minnesota Dairy Farmers Elected to Lead Young Cooperators Program

Megan and Tim Schrupp, farmer-owners of NexGen Dairy and members of First District Association, were elected by their peers to lead the National Young Cooperators (YC) Program Advisory Council in 2025.

Megan and Tim own and operate NexGen Dairy with Megan’s parents in Eden Valley, Minnesota. The third-generation family farm is home to 1,200 Jersey and Jersey-cross cows producing high-component milk used to make cheddar cheese at First District Association. NexGen Dairy also manages 1,400 acres of crops and has embraced sustainability through on-site solar panels and advanced cow monitoring technologies.

Both Megan and Tim are deeply involved in the dairy industry and their community. Since 2014, they have served on First District Association’s YC board and led initiatives like “Dinner on the Dairy,” connecting farms with their local community. Megan, a dairy veterinarian and graduate of the University of Minnesota, also operates Dairy Performance Service, specializing in dairy medicine and reproduction. Together, the couple are enthusiastic about mentoring youth, leasing dairy cattle to 4-H participants and supporting the future of the dairy industry through leadership and advocacy.

“We are strong advocates for modern family dairy farming and look forward to working with fellow YCs to address challenges, share experiences and strengthen the dairy industry,” the Schrupps said.

Nicole Engelken, an Iowa dairy farmer and Prairie Farms member-owner, was elected vice chair of the program.

The National YC Program has provided training and leadership development opportunities to beginning dairy farmers for 75 years. It aims to provide producers with the education, tools and resources they need to improve their leadership skills, profitability and resilience through year-round virtual and in-person programming.

NMPF manages the program funded by its members with support from stakeholders including Farm Credit, Ever.Ag and Monument Advocacy. Employees and owners of dairy farms that are members of an NMPF member cooperative and under the age of 45, as well as co-op staff, are invited to participate. Click here for more information and sign up here for program updates.

NMPF Prepares Trade Policy Asks

NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) shared their U.S. dairy trade priorities with USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Jan. 27, following an “America First Trade Policy” executive order issued by President Trump issued on Inauguration Day, Jan 20. Three additional executive actions to impose 10% tariffs on China and 25% tariffs on most products from Mexico and Canada were also issued on Feb. 1, although the U.S. has postponed tariffs on the latter two partners for approximately 30 days.

The Jan. 27 broad trade order directs to USTR and its interagency partners affecting U.S. dairy trade to take a number of actions including:

  • Identifying unfair trade practices
  • Conducting an expedited review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement
  • Providing recommendations to revise existing trade agreements to achieve or maintain reciprocal concessions; and
  • Pinpointing opportunities for new bilateral or sector-specific market access opportunities.

With an April 1 deadline for the trade reports, the input from NMPF and USDEC comes at an ideal time and emphasizes the importance of resolving dairy trade irritants and targeting key markets for growth. In addition to underlining the importance of exports to the success of American dairy farmers and companies, the joint USDEC and NMPF document details recommendations to improve the industry’s global competitive standing. This includes expanding market access to bridge tariff gaps with EU and New Zealand suppliers and addressing the U.S. trade deficit of more than $2.5 billion with the European Union.

On the tariffs, President Trump announced the measures due to result of unresolved concerns related to illicit drug flows and illegal immigration. Mexico and Canada have both promised retaliatory tariffs should U.S. tariffs move forward. The pause in tariffs on Mexico and Canada means trade with those countries can continue uninterrupted for the coming month.

In a Feb. 2 statement, Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC, encouraged the administration “to draw on the types of tools President Trump wielded so successfully when negotiating USMCA—bringing everyone to the table and working out a solution that minimizes unintended consequences for farmers, rural manufacturers, and consumers.”

NMPF and USDEC also joined more than 400 agricultural organizations in signing onto a Jan. 15 letter to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman, R-AR, and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, to endorse Brooke Rollins for Secretary of Agriculture.

Leading up to her Jan. 23 confirmation hearing, NMPF collaborated with members of the Senate Agriculture Committee to highlight dairy trade challenges. Senators on both sides of the aisle stressed the importance of USDA pursuing a more active trade agenda and vigorously advocating on behalf of U.S. farmers in international negotiations.