Tag: 2026 farm bill

House Advances Farm Bill with Key Dairy Provisions

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation welcomed U.S. House passage of the 2026 Farm Bill, a significant step forward for dairy farmers and the broader agricultural economy. The House‑approved package reflects many NMPF priorities and provides critical support at a time of continued volatility and uncertainty for producers.

The legislation strengthens the farm safety net, preserves conservation programs that work for dairy and livestock operations, bolsters trade promotion programs and protects common food names, reinforces dairy’s essential role in nutrition policy and continues support for vital animal health initiatives.

“NMPF commends lawmakers who today stood up for farmers by passing legislation that’s critically important for dairy producers,” NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said in a statement released after the final vote. “At a time where farmers face unprecedented challenges, Congress needs to provide the stability of a five-year, comprehensive farm bill. We will work with leaders in both chambers, from both parties, to get a farm bill signed into law.”

In addition to securing dairy priorities in the committee-approved bill, NMPF partnered with our member cooperatives to defeat harmful amendments related to animal health, Proposition 12, and food aid. NMPF also created an advocacy alert geared toward generating House support and is planning a separate campaign pushing for Senate passage.

NMPF praised House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA, and other dairy champions for advancing the bill through the House and delivering a package that reflects months of stakeholder input and bipartisan work.

Attention now turns to the Senate. NMPF will continue collaborating closely with leaders in both chambers and across party lines to ensure that a comprehensive farm bill reaches the president’s desk — one that delivers certainty, supports innovation, and strengthens the future of U.S. dairy.

NMPF Applauds House Farm Bill Passage, Urges Senate to Take Action

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

From NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud:

“NMPF commends lawmakers who today stood up for farmers by passing legislation that’s critically important for dairy producers.

“The House-passed 2026 Farm Bill supports the farm safety net, preserves existing conservation programs that include opportunities for dairy and livestock producers, bolsters trade promotion programs while protecting common food names, recognizes the important role of dairy in nutrition, and supports animal health programs. All of these are important priorities to dairy farmers and the broader industry, and we appreciate the leadership shown by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and other dairy champions to get this legislation through the House.

“We look forward to the Senate taking up the farm bill without delay. At a time where farmers face unprecedented challenges, Congress needs to provide the stability of a five-year, comprehensive farm bill. We will work with leaders in both chambers, from both parties, to get a farm bill signed into law.”

NMPF Secures Key Dairy Wins as House Farm Bill Advances

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The 2026 Farm Bill advanced by the House Agriculture Committee on March 5 includes several NMPF priorities, reflecting the organization’s months of engagement with Chairman GT Thompson, R-PA, and other dairy champions as the bill won wide, bipartisan committee approval.

Among provisions critical to strengthening dairy farmers and their cooperatives, the legislation authorizes long-term dairy product processing cost surveys and extends essential programs such as Dairy Forward Pricing, Dairy Indemnity, and the Dairy Research and Promotion Program. The bill also reinforces voluntary, producer-led conservation efforts, including targeted support for methane-reducing practices.

NMPF secured forward-looking trade provisions in the bill, including a long-term directive for the U.S. government to protect common cheese names like parmesan and feta in trade negotiations, an effort introduced and championed by NMPF. The bill also included an NMPF request to formally move the Food for Peace program to USDA and designate $200 million in annual funding for dairy-based therapeutic foods to support global malnutrition efforts.

Additional victories include strengthened export promotion funding, expanded access to renewable energy programs for farmer-owned cooperatives, broader dairy eligibility in nutrition incentive programs, and continued support for farmer mental health and on-farm safety.

Chairman Thompson is focused on advancing the bill, which President Trump supports, to the House floor in the weeks ahead. The Senate has not yet acted on a companion bill. As the farm bill process moves ahead, NMPF remains focused on building bipartisan momentum to deliver lasting results for America’s dairy farmers.

NMPF Applauds House Agriculture Committee for Advancing Farm Bill with Dairy Wins

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation today thanked members of the House Agriculture Committee for advancing a farm bill in Congress, noting the bipartisan approval of a plan introduced by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA, that contains provisions important to dairy farmers and their cooperatives. 

“We applaud Chairman Thompson and members of the House Agriculture Committee for advancing the 2026 House Farm Bill, which includes key provisions that support and strengthen the dairy industry,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “We stand ready to work with members of both the House and Senate on a bipartisan basis to pass a farm bill this year that will provide critical support for dairy farmers and their cooperatives.” 

Key dairy provisions that NMPF advocated for include: 

  • Authorizing long-term dairy product processing cost surveys; 
  • Extending the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, the Dairy Indemnity Program, and the Dairy Promotion and Research Program; 
  • Supporting voluntary, producer-led conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), with a continued designation of conservation funds for livestock producers and a directive for states to prioritize methane-reducing practices; 
  • Establishing a long-term policy directive for the U.S. government to proactively negotiate protections for common cheese names like “parmesan” and “feta,” as championed by NMPF; 
  • Moving Food for Peace program administration to USDA and continuing $200 million in annual funding for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods that incorporate milk powder to treat chronic malnutrition globally; 
  • Reassigning export promotion funding initially passed last year into existing farm bill programs, including the Market Access Program; 
  • Expanding economic opportunities for farmers to partner with local food distribution organizations to provide fresh, locally grown foods, including milk and other dairy products, to eligible community institutions; 
  • Including full-fat fluid milk, hard cheeses, and yogurt in the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program;  
  • Expanding the REAP Program to include farmer-owned cooperatives with less than 2,500 employees;  
  • Reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network; and 
  • Continuing the ROPS Rebate Program under USDA, establishing cost-share grants for retrofitting agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures.