Tag: dairy margin coverage

NMPF Hails Funding Plan, Calls for Further COVID Relief

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The National Milk Producers Federation today thanked Congress for sending bipartisan legislation to President Trump that extends government funding until Dec. 11 and urged Congress and the White House to reach agreement on another coronavirus relief package.

“We are glad Congress reached a government funding deal that provides important support to farmers and families who have weathered incredibly difficult challenges all year long,” said NMPF president and CEO Jim Mulhern. “This measure not only avoids a government shutdown; it also ensures that additional COVID-19 assistance can be provided as further needs arise and provides important nutrition assistance to families in need.”

The legislation passed by the House and Senate immediately replenishes the borrowing authority for USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation. The CCC funds farm bill initiatives, including the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, as well as the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, the second installment of which Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced earlier this month. Notably, it includes $8 billion in nutrition assistance and extends flexibility for school districts to make meals more affordable and accessible for students during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

NMPF hopes that, with the government funding debate resolved, Congress and the administration will now agree on another coronavirus relief bill. The House earlier this week released a revised version of its Heroes Act, which again includes important provisions such as a dairy product donation program that would help farmers and consumers. NMPF is continuing its push for additional, equitable support to all producers that reflects the losses they have suffered, no matter the size of the operation.

“The House and Senate both provide support for agriculture in their coronavirus relief proposals, and the House is reaffirming that support,” Mulhern said. “Congress and the administration need to bridge their differences and finalize a bipartisan plan that continues to provide needed disaster assistance to all dairy producers. The issues are challenging, but we believe policymakers are up to the task.”

NMPF’s Bleiberg Breaks Down Congressional Plans for Dairy

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

Paul Bleiberg, NMPF’s vice president for government affairs, discusses where congressional assistance for dairy producers may be heading in the “Adams on Agriculture” podcast. Challenges include: appropriate aid for farms of differing sizes and structures; the extent of USDA food purchases for nutrition programs; and just where the Senate lands with its final package.

NMPF’s Bjerga on Dairy’s Dramatic Turnaround

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

Alan Bjerga, NMPF’s Senior Vice President for Communications, discusses the dramatic rally in dairy prices, how federal assistance has helped, the economic outlook for the sector and a potential shift in consumer habits, in an interview on WEKZ radio, Janesville, Wisconsin.

NMPF’s Galen Explains CFAP Payments

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

NMPF Senior Vice President Chris Galen discusses the ins and outs of payments under the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program on the Brownfield Ag News Network. An accompanying article can be found here.

Dairy Defined Podcast: Mooney Speaks at Annual Meeting

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

(Note: NMPF’s Dairy Defined podcast explores today’s dairy farms and industry using high-quality data and podcast-style interviews to explain current dairy issues and dispel myths.)

ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. dairy farmers have been through challenging times, but they’re ready to face the challenges of trade, the environment, climate and changing consumer tastes, said Randy Mooney, a Missouri dairy farmer and chairman of the National Milk Producers Federation. Mooney spoke this morning at the organization’s annual meeting, this in New Orleans.

“Dairy farmers play an important role in society. We help preserve communities,” he said. “Like all of you, I’m proud to be a dairy farmer, producing the most nutritious product in the world.”

To listen to the full podcast, click here. You can also find the Dairy Defined podcast on Spotify and SoundCloud. Broadcast outlets may use the MP3 file. Please attribute information to NMPF.

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 The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.