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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

 

 

Caring for animals beyond the farm gate

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By Beverly Hampton Phifer, Senior Director, FARM Animal Care

Fitness for transport is a term for an animal’s ability to withstand transportation, including length of trip, weather conditions, stocking density, and other factors, without compromising welfare. It is important to consider the entire trip a cow may take once it leaves the farm, not just its next stop — the sale barn — when determining an animal’s ability to withstand transport. Longer animal transport times increase risk of mortality and morbidity, particularly for calves and compromised animals, which are more likely to experience challenges during transport.

Consider the following when making dairy animal transportation decisions:

Overall animal health. Evaluate animal health, milk production, and other health factors. Exhausted or weak animals with a fever greater than 102.5°F should not be shipped.

Lameness/locomotion. Market animals when they first indicate signs of lameness or have mobility issues that could worsen.

Animals that have difficulty bearing weight on a limb and may also exhibit obvious back arch or head bob are not fit for transport. Animals in this category may be unable to move or be extremely reluctant to move, even when encouraged by a handler (Score 3 on the FARM Lameness scale).

Do not transport an animal that cannot stand for a period and repeatedly tries to lie down. That animal will likely also lie down in the trailer, causing injury.

Do not load nonambulatory (downer) cattle or animals that require assistance to rise — such as hip lifts or hobbles; this animal welfare issue will result in the animals being condemned at the plant.
 
Antibiotic stewardship. Any cattle being transported for slaughter must adhere to milk and meat withdrawal/withhold times.

Milk production. Ensure that cows are dried off or milked out. The 2022 National Beef Quality Assurance (BDA) report found that 74.9% of dairy cows had a full udder at the time of harvest which can create challenges in the slaughter process as well as serve as a potential contaminant.

Body condition. Thin animals, with minimal coverage around the tail head and short rib region, over the back, hooks, and pins should not be transported (Score 2 on the FARM Body Condition Scoring scale). Cattle that are extremely thin will not handle the rigors of transport because they are weak, don’t have enough energy stores, and are likely to become nonambulatory.

Calving. Cows that are close to calving, actively calving, or have very recently calved are not fit for transport. Slaughter facilities cannot process animals that are actively calving or have a retained placenta. Fresh cows need to have already passed their placentas before shipping.

 
Special considerations for calf transport

Calves are more susceptible than adult cattle to the stressors encountered during transport. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) transportation guidelines outline that before relocating young stock, the following checklist should be completed:

Newborn calves receive colostrum or colostrum replacer.

Preweaned calves receive milk, water, and feed.

Animals are dry, well hydrated, able to stand without assistance, and free from illness and injury.

Animals that are not fit to transport may be suitable for processing locally if transported with special provisions. Treatment for illnesses, ailments, or low body condition may also be considered, as well as potentially euthanasia. Farmers should work closely with their veterinarian to determine next steps.

Current FARM Animal Care Version 5 standards require annual continuing education for anyone who handles animals on the farm, and a written protocol focused on fitness to transport. A fitness to transport informational booklet from the National BQA and the National Dairy FARM Program will be published this fall. For more information about the FARM Program, reach out to a cooperative or processor FARM evaluator, or visit nationaldairyfarm.com.

 

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Oct. 2, 2025.

Staff Promotions Recognize Expanded Work

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF announced two promotions within its economics team, taking effect as dairy faces market uncertainty amid trade challenges and cloudy economic forecasts.

Stephen Cain, who began at NMPF in 2020, is now Vice President of Economic Policy and Market Analysis, recognizing both his growing job responsibilities and his increasing position as a public representative of NMPF in industry conferences and other events.

Allison Wilton was promoted to Market Analyst, highlighting her continued growth and strong analytical contributions to NMPF. Wilton joined NMPF in 2022. Both Cain and Wilton also are active in NMPF’s NEXT program, blazing a new path in dairy trade globally.

NMPF Staff Deliver Outlooks, Trade Messages

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF staff reached out across dairy and agriculture audiences in September and during the August congressional recess with appearances in local and national meetings, discussing dairy’s economic outlook and the importance of free trade.

NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president for policy development and strategy, provided agricultural trade leaders and government officials a snapshot of opportunities and challenges for U.S. dairy exports in an unprecedented trade environment as a panelist at this year’s Midwest Agricultural Export Summit on Aug.13.

Hosted by South Dakota Trade in Sioux Falls, the event convened producers, policymakers and trade professionals in a forum to equip farmers and ranchers with the tools necessary to compete and grow in international markets. Castaneda joined a panel, “Breaking Down Barriers: Agriculture Industry Perspectives,” to discuss existing barriers to dairy trade and the Trump Administration’s newly announced trade frameworks.

Meanwhile, economics team staff addressed market outlooks domestically and internationally.

Will Loux, head of the joint economics team for NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, traveled Sep. 8-12 to Sydney, Australia to explore the potential for NEXT and U.S. dairy products in that market.

NMPF Market Analyst Allison Wilton gave a market outlook to the American Association of Bovine Practitioners in Omaha at its annual conference on Sep. 11. Later in the month she gave a similar presentation to Darigold staff in Seattle.

Stephen Cain, Vice President of Economic Policy and Market Analysis, in September presented at the U.S. Dairy Ingredient Supply Seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and to Bangkok, Thailand for the U.S. Dairy Supply & Innovation Seminar.

NEXT-Assisted Export Sales Near 24 Million Pounds as September Winds Down

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NEXT member cooperatives secured 60 contracts in September, with one week still outstanding for the month; full-month data will be available later this week. These contracts added 23.9 million pounds of product in NEXT-assisted sales in 2025. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and South America and will be shipped from September 2025 through May 2026.

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, 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 referenced amounts of dairy products reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. NEXT will pay export assistance to bidders only when export and delivery of product is verified by submission of required documentation.

NMPF Strengthens Relationships in Taiwan

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF explored opportunities to connect U.S. dairy supplies with key Taiwanese importers during a Sept. 29-Oct. 1 USDA Foreign Agriculture Service-led trade mission to Taipei, Taiwan.

Alongside a local representative of Dairy Farmers of America, NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda and Tony Rice met with Taiwanese government officials, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Health and Welfare, and dairy industry stakeholders to promote U.S. dairy products and discuss ways for the U.S. dairy industry to expand its presence within Taiwan’s growing agricultural market.

Taiwan is the United States’ eighth largest agricultural export market, importing in 2024 just under $4 billion worth of agricultural goods from United States, including $108 million of U.S. dairy exports.

NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council also in Taiwan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Dairy Association of Taiwan on Sept. 30, affirming a shared commitment to building demand for dairy in Taiwan, supporting a Taiwanese government school milk program and efforts to protect the right to use common names like “parmesan.”

Building on this trade mission to Taipei, as well as NMPF’s April 2025 delegation visit to Taiwan, the MOU seeks to strengthen business and government relations to the mutual benefit of the dairy sectors in Taiwan and the United States.

FARM Reviews Version Metrics, Going Through Each Standard

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

FARM’s Animal Care program area in September met with NMPF’s Animal Health & Well-being Committee to kick off the standards review as part of developing its latest version cycle, set to launch January 2028.

The committee reviewed program metrics in key corrective action areas, animal-based observations, and animal and facility management. This will set priorities for the committees to consider when reviewing standards eligible for revision.

The name itself, Version 2028, represents a shift toward identifying version cycles by launch year, replacing describing versions by successive numbers. FARM is making the change to help program participants easily identify the program’s most current version while communicating the three-year cycle process.

FARM Program cycles are revised every three years to ensure the standards’ integrity and effectiveness. The FARM Animal Care Task Force and NMPF Animal Health & Wellbeing Committee reviews and revises the standards, rationale and accountability measures with input from industry stakeholder groups including farmers, animal scientists and veterinarians.

NMPF’s Board of Directors approved a new layer to the process back in June, resulting in NMPF’s Animal Health & Wellbeing Committee now setting priorities for the FARM Animal Care Task Force and Farmer Advisory Council ahead of the initial standards review. The new process will provide a more collective representation of farmer input.

FARM began Version 2028 development in July with its Stakeholder Survey, which received more than 800 responses. The survey will help inform the decision-making process on potential standard revisions.

NMPF’s Animal Health & Wellbeing Committee, FARM’s Animal Care Task Force and Farmer Advisory Council will review survey results this fall; results will be summarized into a final report made available on the FARM website.

FARM Workforce Development and FARM Environmental Stewardship will continue to be on the same cycle as FARM Animal Care.

For more information on Version 2028 development, visit the FARM Program website.

fairlife Joins NMPF Associate Membership

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation is excited to announce that fairlife has joined as its newest associate member.

fairlife, a Chicago-based dairy company known for its ultra-filtered milk, started in 2012 from “the belief that milk – already a superfood – could be even better,” according to its website. The processor’s proprietary ultra-filtration process concentrates milk’s protein while reducing its natural sugar content. In addition to its ultra-filtered milk, fairlife’s portfolio of lactose-free, real dairy products includes: Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; and fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health. NMPF looks forward to the valuable insights and contributions that fairlife will bring to the table.

Ag Coalition Releases PFAS Recommendations

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The PFAS and Agriculture Policy Workgroup, an agriculture coalition in which NMPF is a member, released Sept. 16 the nation’s first comprehensive set of federal recommendations to address PFAS contamination of agricultural land.

The coalition is led by American Farmland Trust and includes 15 other farmer, commodity, conservation, and health groups, as well as state departments of agriculture. The group is calling for Congress and the executive branch to take pragmatic steps to address PFAS to protect farmers and their families, keep farms and ranches in business, maintain a safe national food supply, and safeguard farmland for future generations.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are a class of thousands of synthetic chemicals. PFAS have been used in a wide range of industrial and household products for decades, and do not break down naturally. Since these “forever chemicals” are highly mobile in the environment, they can accumulate anywhere, including in soil, water, crops, livestock, wildlife, food, and the human body.

The workgroup recommendations aim to advance a wide range of nonpartisan, common-sense solutions.

NMPF has participated in the planning and development of the workgroup since it was formed in spring 2024, always noting that PFAS is primarily a water-contamination issue that does not affect milk.