Uncategorized

El Salvador and Guatemala Agreements Strengthen Protections for U.S. Dairy Exports

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and Consortium for Common Food Names welcomed the United States’ signing of reciprocal trade agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala this week, underscoring the importance of reinforcing long-standing market access gains for U.S. dairy exporters and preventing the emergence of new trade barriers.

As outlined in the agreements, El Salvador and Guatemala have both committed to address and prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products, including dairy. These obligations include recognition of U.S. regulatory oversight and acceptance of currently agreed certificates issued by U.S. regulatory authorities, a prohibition on introducing a facility registration requirement for U.S. dairy products, and streamlining of product registration requirements, which are critical elements for ensuring predictable and fair market access for all U.S. dairy exports.

The two countries have also committed to ensuring that market access for U.S. agricultural exporters will not be restricted due to the use of certain cheese and meat terms. These include 38 widely used dairy terms such as parmesan, gruyere, feta, and asiago, as well as 10 meat terms. This commitment provides important certainty for common name producers and exporters.

“Securing durable market access and setting clear expectations with trading partners is essential for U.S. agriculture,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “This agreement builds on the success of CAFTA-DR and we thank the administration for fighting for the right of U.S. dairy exporters to compete fairly in the Salvadoran and Guatemalan market.”

U.S. dairy exports already benefit from duty-free treatment in El Salvador and Guatemala as a result of the Central America–Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Tariffs on U.S. dairy products phased out entirely this past year, following direct advocacy from USDEC and NMPF over a decade ago to secure full market access under the agreement.

“For dairy farmers, these agreements help to keep doors open to U.S. products,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “By protecting hard-won access and preventing new barriers from taking hold, the agreements support demand for U.S. milk and dairy products and strengthen the economic outlook for farm families across the country.”

“As European authorities increasingly seek to confiscate common food names across Latin America, the agreements unequivocally protect 38 common cheese names and 10 generic meat terms and send a clear signal by preserving our producers’ right to label their products with terms that have been used for generations in El Salvador and Guatemala,” said Jaime Castaneda, executive director of CCFN.

NMPF, USDEC and CCFN will continue working closely with USTR and U.S. government partners to monitor implementation of the agreement and to ensure that El Salvador and Guatemala fully meet their commitments to maintaining open and predictable access for U.S. dairy products and common name foods and beverages.

Dairy Does Well in Dietary Guidelines

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

New Dietary Guidelines for Americans are encouraging to dairy in ways that are consistent with the latest science and consumer needs for high-quality, affordable nutrition, NMPF Director of Regulatory Affairs Miquela Hanselman said in a Dairy Defined Podcast.

“We turned out pretty well in the guidelines,” Hanselman said in the podcast released today. “We hit the three servings. Dairy is a distinct group. Full-fat dairy is recommended repeatedly throughout the guidelines, which everyone was very excited to see.”

Hanselman also outlines how these guidelines came to be, and what work remains to be done in the next edition of the twice-a-decade guidelines. 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.”

Responsible antibiotic use remains the focus

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By Jamie Jonker, Chief Science Officer and Vice President, Sustainability & Scientific Affairs

Reducing drug residues isn’t just about compliance, it’s also about mastering the science of prevention to combat the greater challenge — antimicrobial resistance. The dairy industry saw a small uptick in drug residues found in milk in 2025, but industry efforts continue to support producers by educating on and evaluating proper antibiotic use in dairy cattle.

Keeping track of residues

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines, which could increase the spread of infections or even death. Milk or meat residues could add to the threat of antimicrobial resistance, but judicious use of antibiotics can help minimize resistance and lower risk of residues occurring.

In order to keep track of and help reduce drug residues, and to ensure the sanitary quality of Grade “A” milk and milk products shipped in interstate commerce, the Food and Drug Administration in collaboration with the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments created the National Milk Drug Residue Database (NMDRD) in 1991. This voluntary effort helps dairy farmers show industry-wide commitment to providing consumers with dairy products they can trust.

According to the 2025 NMDRD report released in December, more than 3.2 million bulk milk pickup tankers were tested from October 2024 to September 2025, yielding 206 (one in every 15,860 milk trucks) positive samples. This is a slight uptick from 2024 with only 196 positive samples (one in every 17,080 milk trucks). The number of samples tested, which includes tankers, packaged products, producer samples, and reported positive grew from from 301 in 2024 to 307 in 2025. It’s important to note that any milk or milk product found with a drug residue violation is destroyed and not sold to the public.

Despite the small bump in the number of positive samples, the overall percentage of milk samples that tested positive for antibiotic residues in 2025 remains among the lowest recorded levels since the NMDRD was created. U.S. dairy farmers remain committed to producing safe, high-quality milk.

Preventing and reducing milk residues

Dairy farmers and their employees work alongside veterinarians to develop treatment protocols that ensure prudent and responsible antibiotic use. This includes proper use of approved drugs and adhering to withdrawal times. Established protocols give herd managers and employees guidelines for administering treatments, which can reduce residues from occurring. Accurate, current, and well-documented treatment logs also help reduce risk.

Farmers can use resources created by the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program to help guide on-farm decisions. The FARM Program supports producers in their commitment to antibiotic stewardship in two of its program areas.

The FARM Animal Care Program, which captures more than 99% of the U.S. milk supply, implements standards surrounding herd health and antibiotic protocols. Program standards require a written Herd Health Plan for participating farms. This emphasizes the importance of prevention and timely decision making on necessary treatment of all sick or injured dairy cattle on the farm. Participating farms are required to establish and maintain a Veterinarian Client Patient Relationship with annual renewed documentation. During an evaluation, evaluators review the farm’s treatment records to support and ensure proper use of antibiotics for treating dairy cattle.

As part of FARM Animal Care, the Antibiotic Stewardship Program collaborates with industry partners to publish the biennial Milk & Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual. This resource serves as an informational guide for drugs approved for use in dairy animals and can also be used as an educational tool to develop on-farm best management practices. An updated manual will be available later this summer.

The FARM Program, through its educational efforts, advances its mission to help ensure the success of the entire dairy industry by demonstrating U.S. dairy farmers are committed to producing high quality, safe milk with integrity.

To learn more about FARM’s mission, visit nationaldairyfarm.com.

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Jan. 19, 2026.

NMPF Statement on Signing of Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

From NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud:

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives couldn’t be more thrilled that whole and 2% milk is returning to school meals. Dairy is a nutrition powerhouse that should be used to its fullest potential — and that means making it available in the same varieties families consume at home. We are ready to help schools and USDA in any way we can as this important legislation is implemented, and we thank the Trump administration, our advocates on Capitol Hill, and everyone who has worked to make school meals better through increased access to dairy.”

NMPF’s Castaneda on Continued Tariff-Free Access to Colombia

Posted on by Jessi-Ryah Cordova

NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council welcomed the government of Colombia’s dismissal of a Subsidies and Countervailing Measures investigation into milk powder imports from the U.S. The investigation began in 2024 and alleged, without a factual basis, that U.S. milk powders were unfairly subsidized and harmed Colombian dairy producers. NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda, vice president for policy development and strategy, said that’s never been the case.

Signup Underway for Improved DMC to Assist Dairy Farmers Facing Low Prices

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation is pleased that Dairy Margin Coverage Program signup is under way, with key improvements aiding farmers as prices have fallen and DMC assistance becomes essential for some farms in 2026.

“An improved DMC Program couldn’t come a moment too soon,” Gregg Doud, President & CEO of NMPF, said. “We appreciate USDA’s efforts to quickly update the DMC program, and we urge dairy farmers who will benefit from the program to sign up as part of their risk-management plans.”

The DMC changes were part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year that included multiple benefits for dairy, including making the Section 199A tax deduction and making more funds available for dairy farmers and their cooperatives to use for conservation programs.

DMC revisions published in the Federal Register include:

  • An opportunity to establish new production history based on the highest annual milk production level from any one of the 2021, 2022, or 2023 calendar years. Production history established between 2014-2025 will no longer be applicable for coverage.
  • USDA clarification on how new operations (i.e., those that began marketing milk after Jan. 1, 2023) will be able to establish production history.
  • Eligibility for operations to enroll their first 6 million pounds of production at the Tier 1 level, up from 5 million pounds, with all additional production covered under Tier 2. Premium rate fees under Tiers 1 and 2 are unchanged.
  • An opportunity for operations to make a one-time election of coverage level and coverage percentage, “locking in” those elections for a six-year period from January 2026-December 2031. Those who elect this option must participate in DMC at the same coverage levels for the six-year period and will receive a 25% premium discount for doing so.

Signup for the revised DMC runs now through Feb. 26. NMPF will keep its members apprised of key developments, with staff available to answer questions as necessary.

Why Dairy’s Moment Matters

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Dairy’s moment is extending into 2026. In many ways, it’s strengthening.

Whole milk is coming back into schools — after being explicitly kept out of recent editions of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, there it is, specifically included in the new inverted Food Pyramid.

Cheese, butter and yogurt are on the icon too, part of a federal emphasis on whole foods as dairy not only matches the moment, it matches the science, too.

Dairy farmers and their cooperatives are no doubt delighted. With apologies to the Wisconsin state license plate, which calls that state “America’s Dairyland,” perhaps we should say that everywhere, America is Dairyland. But victory dances aside, it’s important to remember why all this matters. For a refresher:

  • Dairy is a critical, affordable source of high-quality nutrition
    • Protein: It provides all essential amino acids, which are vital for muscle repair and growth.
    • Bone Health: It’s an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, which builds strong bones and prevents osteoporosis.
    • Immune Support: It’s a major source of vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin A, bolstering immune function.
    • Micronutrient Powerhouse: It includes potassium (for blood pressure), B vitamins (energy), magnesium (nerve function), and iodine (brain development), nutrients under-consumed by much of the U.S. population.
    • Cost-Effective: Dairy provides significant nutrients for a low cost per serving, making it a budget-friendly way to get essential vitamins and minerals.
    • Reduced Chronic Disease Risk: Dairy-rich diets are linked to lower risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension.
  • Because accepting dairy at all fat levels and acknowledging its diversity encourages greater access to and consumption of that nutrition
    • Full-Fat Dairy Tastes Good: The richer and creamier taste of fuller-fat dairy appeals to more people, encouraging greater intake.
    • Nutritional Powerhouse: School programs can leverage dairy’s 13 essential nutrients to meet children’s needs.
    • The “Food Matrix” Advantage: The natural combination of fat, protein, and other components (the “food matrix”) in whole dairy might offer benefits beyond isolated nutrients, including better weight management and lowered diabetes risk.
    • Satiety & Weight: Full-fat dairy’s fat and protein content can increase fullness, potentially leading to fewer total calories consumed.
    • Product Diversity and Versatility: Dairy’s wide range of products, including milk, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, and lactose-free or low-lactose options, fits diverse dietary needs; offering it at all fat levels ensures more people consume dairy.
  • Because dairy supports rural communities and families nationwide
    • Jobs: The dairy industry supports millions of jobs, from farm labor and processing to transportation, boosting rural economies.
    • Sustaining Family Farms: 95% of U.S. dairy farms are family-owned, keeping wealth and decision-making within a community.
    • Fighting Food Insecurity: Dairy farmers and organizations partner with food banks to provide essential nutrients to vulnerable populations.
    • Local Engagement: Dairy farms and co-ops sponsor local events, support school programs, and contribute to local infrastructure, building strong community ties.

And all these benefits are only scratching the surface. U.S. dairy also feeds the world; U.S. dairy farmers are sustainability leaders; and (speaking of moments) birthday parties just go better with ice cream. The endorsements dairy has received at the highest levels of government in recent weeks strengthens all of this. And its recognition that’s come after years of leadership and effort throughout the dairy industry.

Moments are important. They don’t last forever: Rules will be written, and critics will find new lines of attack. All isn’t rosy in the world of dairy, where lower prices are making times challenging for farmers even as demand reaches new heights. But dairy is succeeding in many ways. It’s something to raise a glass to — we’ll leave it to you to guess what that glass should appropriately contain.

 

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’s Bjerga on Policy Wins in Challenging Times

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga discusses how dairy policy wins are helping to support farmers in a difficult economic environment in an interview with RFD-TV. With U.S. dairy cow numbers at a three-decade high and production increasing globally, legislation such as the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and support from the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, which was reauthorized last year, and the new NEXT export-assistance initiative, will help farmers manage through challenging times, with additional solutions being explored.

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.