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Washington May Be Stuck, But We Don’t Have To Be

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Despite the legislative branch grinding to a halt this October, it hasn’t impaired NMPF’s ability to make progress for dairy farmers. For all you may read about Washington at an impasse, October was not a month of rest at the National Milk Producers Federation.

Some highlights:

  • Trade talks worldwide continue full-steam-ahead, with a fully staffed Office of the U.S. Trade Representative working on agreements that have significant implications for dairy. New framework trade agreements announced with Asian nations including Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam are a big win for the industry. And last week NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council followed that by filing extensive comments as part of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) request for global trade barriers for its 2026 National Trade Estimate report.

In them we spotlight dairy trade irritants in 34 different markets, including regional blocs like the European Union and parties to the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. Several key issues cited include Canada’s refusal to comply with its dairy commitments under USMCA; dairy facility registration challenges across various markets; and the European Union’s long list of trade-distorting measures, which range from certification requirements to the abuse of geographical indications to monopolize common names like “parmesan.”

  • Also on trade, NMPF and USDEC on Friday submitted comments to USTR on its upcoming USMCA 2026 joint review, calling for Canada and Mexico both to uphold their dairy-related obligations in the agreement. That includes addressing Canada’s evasion of its market access commitments and Mexico’s need to fully implement USMCA side letters pertaining to the protection of common cheese names.
  • Regulatory processes are also continuing during the shutdown, and an important one is the government’s attempt to define “ultra-processed” foods, a key priority for the MAHA movement. MAHA’s emphasis on whole and natural foods holds great promise for dairy, but a definition of ultra-processed that’s poorly thought out also carries great risk of unintended consequences for public health, affecting food safety, accessibility and affordability.

Our comments on the definition, sent Oct. 23 to the Food and Drug Administration, ensure that dairy farmer voices are included in this critical definition, which will affect every part of the food chain. And it’s only the latest input we’ve had with the government, as it’s our 11th set of regulatory comments filed this year, on everything from plant-based naming practices to front-of-pack labeling to the upcoming Dietary Guidelines.

  • At USDA, where limited staff have returned to Farm Service Agency offices, we’ve sought, and received, assurances that the Emergency Livestock Relief Program 2023 and 2024 Flood & Wildfire application process is up and running again.  When the shutdown began, farmers only had about two weeks with a fully operational USDA to submit ELRP applications online or to their local FSA office. USDA has reassured NMPF it plans to extend the ELRP application deadline into mid-November. Interested farmers should contact their local FSA office to learn more about details on local hours and services and ask to set up a time to discuss their ELRP applications.

These are only a few of the tangible results we’ve achieved in the past month, even as important conversations continue on immigration, the threat of New World screwworm, and other issues. Even amid dysfunction, functions continue, and we continue to do our best for farmers.

It’s what we’ve been sent to Washington to do. We will continue to make progress during the government shutdown, regardless of how frustrating the situation may be, and we all hope it will end soon. In the meantime, please contact us with any questions or concerns at info@nmpf.org, so we may continue to be a resource as this continues to unfold.

Gregg Doud

President & CEO, NMPF

 

Preparing for the unexpected

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By The National Dairy FARM Biosecurity Program

Predicting the future is impossible. Preparing for the unexpected is possible. That was one of the topics discussed at the World Dairy Expo, where a panel explored the potential impact of emerging diseases on the dairy industry. As harvest wraps up and plans for 2026 get underway, consider creating continuity in your business plan if your dairy is unable to move raw milk or cattle for a few days – or longer.

Secure milk supply plan for continuity of business

Limiting animal and animal product movement is one strategy to control the spread of diseases. The Secure Milk Supply (SMS) Plan aims to support business continuity while not spreading disease. It was created because the dairy industry recognized how a “stop movement” of raw milk for a contagious animal disease would affect their business. The SMS Plan is a tool to use when cattle are affected by movement controls but not infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD) or a similar contagious animal disease. More information on FMD and the SMS Plan is available at www.securemilk.org.

The SMS Plan was created by the dairy industry and decision makers for the dairy industry and consumers. A group of dairy farmers, processors, milk haulers, veterinarians, disease and biosecurity experts at universities, and state and federal animal health officials came together to write the first SMS Plan. It was last updated in 2017, and both the dairy industry and disease response plans have changed. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recognized the need and assembled a stakeholder group in 2025 to propose updates. The SMS Plan development and updates were funded by USDA.

Benefits of SMS Plan updates

The SMS Plan updates include how to safely move raw milk and colostrum for animal feed and include new information on frozen semen and embryos. It’s expanding beyond FMD to include “similar contagious diseases” like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). This unexpected contagious disease spread to dairy cattle in 17 states, affecting animal health and business continuity. Updated resources for biosecurity are underway. Simplified movement guidance permit criteria are included. This broader set of preparedness tools helps the dairy industry, and ultimately, consumers of American dairy products.

Gathering feedback

NMPF and the stakeholder group seek your input on the proposed changes to the SMS Plan. Join a webinar, watch a recording of the changes, and submit comments by Dec. 20 at www.nationaldairyfarm.com.

The SMS Plan aims to help producers:

  • Develop contingency plans for interrupted movement.
  • Limit exposure to their herd through enhanced biosecurity.
  • Learn how to find early signs of disease.
  • Request an outbreak movement permit from state officials for raw milk (if required) and healthy animals going to harvest or another premises.
  • Continue to supply safe and wholesome milk to consumers.

 

Additional information:

What is foot and mouth disease (FMD)?

Sometimes called “hoof” and mouth disease, FMD is a very contagious foreign animal disease. It’s found in two-thirds of the countries of the world. The last U.S. case was in California in 1929. Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia had cases this summer after being FMD-free for over 50 years.

FMD causes blisters on the feet and in the mouth of two-toed (cloven-hooved) animals like cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer, bison, and other wildlife. Cattle with FMD will be lame, drool, and do not want to move or eat or be milked because of the painful foot, mouth, and teat sores. It does not affect people or food safety. Meat and milk are safe to eat and drink. An outbreak will have a significant mental health impact on individual farmers due to closed export markets, disease control measures, animal suffering, and financial uncertainty. Learn more about FMD at www.fmdinfo.org.

 

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Oct. 27, 2025.

U.S. Dairy Celebrates Market Access Advances in Southeast Asia

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council praised today’s announcement of new trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia and new trade agreement frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam, strengthening U.S. dairy’s position in Southeast Asia’s high-growth market.

“With these new agreements, the administration has delivered big wins for America’s dairy farmers,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “Agreements like those struck with Malaysia and Cambodia will ensure we have fair access to Southeast Asia’s fast-growing markets. That’s essential so that our farmers and cooperatives can keep doing what they do best – producing top-quality milk and dairy products for families here at home and around the world. We look forward to working closely with the administration as they turn the new frameworks with Vietnam and Thailand into strong deals as well.”

“These agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia open new doors for U.S. dairy exports in two dynamic markets and the frameworks with Vietnam and Thailand offer the promise of more to come,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “By removing tariffs, addressing nontariff trade barriers and cutting red tape, the agreements will make it easier for U.S. suppliers to deliver the high-quality dairy ingredients and foods that Southeast Asia’s growing consumers demand. USDEC appreciates the great work of the U.S. negotiating team in securing these important results.”

The agreement with Malaysia will deliver meaningful gains for U.S. dairy exporters including the elimination of virtually all remaining dairy tariffs, state of the art protections for common cheese names, assurances regarding dairy certification, recognition of the U.S. dairy safety system, streamlining of facility registration requirements, and reinforcement of the vital importance of basing regulations on sound science.

The agreement with Cambodia delivers similar results extending to also include a full elimination of all tariffs on U.S. dairy exports and a prohibition on the establishment or maintenance of a facility listing requirement for U.S. dairy products.

The trade framework agreements with Thailand and Vietnam provide outlines of the provisions with each to come, both offering the promise of similarly strong outcomes on tariffs and nontariff barriers impacting dairy exporters.

Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand are already among the top twenty export destinations for U.S. dairy products, account for $118 million, $127 million and $87 million respectively in sales last year. The new deal comes as the EU advances negotiations on free trade agreements this year with Malaysia and Thailand while Vietnam entered the sixth year of its FTA with the EU this year. All three also have long-standing deals with New Zealand and Australia. In light of this, the U.S. agreements are particularly important to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in this key region. While U.S. dairy exports to Cambodia totaled only $3 million last year, it too offers potential for further growth.

Enter to Win! Ayache Explains National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program, Raffle

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF’s Nicole Ayache explains to Dairy Radio Now listeners how the National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program supports graduate students enrolled in Master’s or Ph.D. programs who are actively pursuing dairy-related fields of research that directly benefit milk marketing cooperatives and the U.S. dairy industry at large. The scholarship is currently hosting a fundraising raffle to raise money for next year’s applicants. Use this link to enter the raffle by Nov. 12: https://go.rallyup.com/nmpf-raffle-2025/.

MMPA Captures Win in NMPF’s Annual Communications Contest

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

Dairy Farmers of America’s Windemuller Wins Farmer Communicator of the Year

Michigan Milk Producers Association received the honor of Cooperative Communicator of the Year in the National Milk Producers Federation’s annual cooperative communications contest, winning five categories and a ‘Best of Show’ award in the Writing category. Dairy Farmers of America’s farmer-member Paul Windemuller received NMPF’s Farmer Communicator of the Year award.

MMPA also took six second place finishes and three third place finishes in the competition, which recognizes the top communications efforts among NMPF’s member cooperatives. The Best of Show: Writing award was given for its informational feature, “The Low Down on FMMOs.”

“The feature did a great job of simplifying a very complex topic by taking the time to explain to readers what FMMOs are, along with other basic principles,” the competition reviewer wrote. “The piece explained the importance of why this issue matters from multiple audience perspectives. It was a very well-written feature on such a prevalent issue in the industry.”

Windemuller was recognized for his active presence in social media and other platforms, serving as a catalyst for consumer curiosity by sharing real-life stories from the farm. Windemuller is an active member for DFA, participating in both its Young Cooperator program and Emerging Leaders program. He also serves as a DFA content creator, enabling farmers to create authentic social media content that highlights the good story of dairy farming. One of Paul’s clips, 3 Types of Tech on the Farm, has more than 445,000 views and 300+ comments on his dairy’s Instagram account.

Paul also hosts his own podcast, AgCulture, sharing anecdotal experiences, insights and innovations in the agricultural space. With nearly 100 episodes, Paul has hosted many notable guests from the United States and worldwide, covering topics including risk management strategies, social media, farm succession planning, the future of organic farming, and more.

“As a hardworking dairy farmer with six children, we don’t know how Paul finds the time to also be such a strong advocate for dairy,” his nomination notes. “His efforts are much appreciated across the industry. He is respected by his peers, and on a path to continue informing the agriculture industry and beyond.”

Paul, along with his wife, Brittany, are first-generation dairy farmers who own and operate Dream Winds Dairy in Coopersville, MI, where they milk approximately 260 cows with a robotic milking system.

The “Best of Show” award is selected from the first-place entries in the contest’s main areas: publication, writing, graphics and special projects. In addition to MMPA’s recognition in the writing category, Dairy Farmers of America won the publications category for its “Life on the Farm” special report and in graphics for its smartphone photo, “Caught in the Glow”; Associated Milk Producers Inc. won the special projects category with its Dinner Bell Creamery promotional video, “Meet Our Farmers: The Siewert Family.”

Winners were announced at today’s meeting of NMPF member cooperative communicators. All the winners will also be recognized at NMPF’s annual meeting, Nov. 10-11 in Arlington, TX. A full list of the winners of the NMPF communications contest, which received 102 entries from 11 member cooperatives, can be found here.

Dairy’s Future Bright, IDFA, NMPF Chairmen Say

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Dairy’s future is bright, and it’s brightest when the industry is united toward common goals, the chairmen of the International Dairy Foods Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said.  

“$11 billion or so in projects are happening or about to happen that will significantly grow the industry capacity throughout the country,” said Daragh Maccabee, CEO of Idaho Milk Products and Chairman of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) in the podcast released today. “That means the processor community is stepping up, and we all know that the dairy producer community will do its part as dairy farmers always, always do. And aligned with that investment also comes furthering innovation capabilities or further investment in innovation capabilities so that the U.S. can continue to lead the way in delivering value for milk in increasingly sophisticated ways.” 

The discussion covers the unique qualities of the U.S. dairy industry, including its scale, efficiency, and sustainability. Maccabee and Mooney, who serves as chairman of the National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Farmers of America, the largest U.S. dairy co-op, with the strength of cooperatives and industry organizations are also highlighted as keys to industry progress. However, dairy faces challenges around labor shortages and trade uncertainty, they said. 

“We need new laws that help farmers continue to have the labor that we need on the farms to produce the milk. And without that, that’s the biggest critical issue that I see as what could affect future dairy production in this country, is just making sure the cows get taken care of and the cows get milked under the labor standards that we have today,” Mooney said. 

Still, the industry’s overall outlook remains something to cheer about, said Mooney, who soon will be stepping down as NMPF’s chairman. Reflecting on nearly two decades of leadership in that role, Mooney said it’s been an honor to be part of a profession that improves people’s lives.  

“This industry is going to be bright for the future of farming. It’s going to be bright for the producers,” he said. “And not only that, what makes me feel good at the end of the day is on our individual farms.” 

To hear more Dairy Defined podcasts, you can find and subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music under the podcast name “Dairy Defined.”  

Shutdown brings disruption with no clear end

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By Alan Bjerga, Executive Vice President, Communications & Industry Relations

The federal government shutdown is grinding through October, and it may only be the beginning. With both sides dug in and seeing little incentive to compromise, disruptions to federal services may be the new normal for some time — and that means farmers need to be prepared for what’s happening and coming next.

By now, the main contours of the shutdown’s effects on dairy farmers are in place.

  • Most Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff have been furloughed, and county FSA offices closed, although according to its shutdown plan, USDA should now be making available one employee per service center to complete urgent loan processing tasks for certain active loans. Still, no new loans will be processed at any point during the shutdown.
  • Meanwhile, most Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff are furloughed and county NRCS offices closed, stopping payments and technical assistance on active contracts.
  • The recently announced Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) 2023 and 2024 flood program, a disaster assistance program that covers much of the nation, is paused.
  • Data reports covering U.S. milk production, trade data, and cold storage, are suspended, though USDA will continue to report pricing information, including the National Dairy Product Sales Report, and Market News information.
  • Many regulatory programs that are either funded by user fees or mainly run by states are continuing. USDA and FDA butter grading, the Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program or Animal Drug User Fee Amendments (ADUFA), to cite some examples of user-funded initiatives, are continuing to operate, while the Grade A milk program operated by states also continues.
  • Importantly, animal and plant health emergency programs, including those for New World screwworm, highly pathogenic avian influenza, exotic fruit flies, African swine fever, and rabies, are continuing.

Farmers caught one piece of good fortune in that the tax and spending package Congress passed earlier this year: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reauthorized many farm bill programs, taking away that question mark. But, of course, administering those programs becomes more challenging when services aren’t available. Additionally, discussions of further assistance to farmers because of market disruption due to tariffs and other challenges are stymied until Congress surmounts the hurdles needed to get the government running again — another lost opportunity to shore up bottom lines battered by low commodity prices and economic volatility.

We at NMPF are monitoring the situation closely for signs of a thaw in the standoff, or of any changes in how government agencies are prioritizing limited resources during the shutdown. Any farmer can reach out to info@nmpf.org with concerns or questions as the shutdown evolves. The federal government touches lives in multiple ways, some that a farmer may not think about until it’s gone. We’re here to offer what support and information we can, hoping that the disruptions are settled as soon as possible.

 

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

NMPF’s Bjerga shares latest shutdown updates

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF Executive Vice President, Communications & Industry Relations Alan Bjerga tells Dairy Radio Now listeners about the latest updates with the government shutdown and how it affects dairy farmers across the country.

Are You Dumber Than A European? A Quiz

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

This month’s Dairy Defined features an interactive quiz that’s a fun way to explore the difference between how plant-based beverages are labeled in the United States versus the European Union.

Plant-based peddlers in the United States have long insisted that they need to use dairy terms on their beverage products – in clear violation of FDA standards of identity – because if they don’t, consumers might not understand what they’re consuming. Au contraire, we argue. Using dairy terms for plant-based beverages is verboten in the European Union, yet somehow, those consumers comprenden that those beverages are for, you know, drinking and stuff like that.

So take the quiz and prove for yourself – are you dumber than a European? Can you figure out what plant-based beverage is, even without dairy terms? Take a chance! And disprove another lie. Let’s give it go and click the button below to start the quiz.

 

Take the Quiz