Tag: USDA

NMPF’s Bjerga on Why Congress Must Pass Whole Milk Law

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

NMPF Executive Vice President Alan Bjerga discusses the importance of Congress passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and NMPF’s grassroots advocacy on the issue in an interview with WEKZ radio in Janesville, WI. Bjerga also explains the advantages of getting whole milk back in schools via Congress rather than through updated dietary guidelines expected next year in which fuller-fat dairy is also expected to fare well, in a conversation that touches on the importance of congressional action on other issues important to dairy, including farm labor and trade.

Rollins Touts Milk Action Plan to NMPF Leadership

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins touted the Trump administration’s milk action plan to support American dairy farmers at NMPF’s annual meeting.

“I want to be very clear. We will never stop fighting for those of you in the dairy industry and across rural America we have reached that golden age for our producers,” said Rollins, a Texas native who keynoted the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by NMPF, the United Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. “Dairy farmers have delivered for America for 250 years, and now it’s time for us to deliver for you.”

In her remarks, Rollins outlined USDA’s dairy priorities, outlining the administration’s four-point approach to support the industry, including:

  • Incentivizing dairy consumption through changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected in December or early January;
  • Working to drive down input costs;
  • Facilitating investments in American milk processing; and
  • Expanding markets to help milk producers prosper.

Rollins also noted the importance of farm-labor issues, pledging to seek federal changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the departments of Labor and Homeland Security while noting that broader changes will require congressional action. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she said.

Rollins became the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture earlier this year after serving as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute. During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.

Rollins to Keynote NMPF Annual Meeting in Arlington, TX on Nov. 11

Posted on by Alan Bjerga

 

ARLINGTON, VA – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins will be joining hundreds of dairy farmers and cooperative leaders for a special keynote address during NMPF’s portion of its Joint Annual Meeting with dairy organizations at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Nov. 11, in Arlington, TX.

Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on Feb. 13. Prior to this role, Rollins served as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute. During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the domestic policy agenda of the Trump administration.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives extend a warm welcome to Brooke Rollins and appreciate the chance to hear from her and speak with her,” Gregg Doud, president & CEO of NMPF, said. “As an energetic advocate for dairy and for all of agriculture, we can’t imagine a more exciting opportunity than to learn more from her on how USDA is building a stronger future for farmers and for the entire nation.”

The keynote will be held at the Loew’s Arlington Hotel as part of the Joint Annual Meeting hosted by NMPF, the National Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association.

The gathering of roughly 750 farmers and industry professionals began yesterday and continues through Wednesday, featuring breakout sessions on industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to dairy labor challenges.

NMPF Urges Caution on Ultra-Processed Foods

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF filed comments Oct. 23 in response to USDA and the Food and Drug Administration’s request for information as the agencies explore options for creating a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods.

Researchers have found links between the consumption of highly processed foods and a range of negative health outcomes. However, more research is needed, and there is currently no standard for what amount of processing would make a food “ultra-processed.” The FDA and USDA are attempting to bridge the gap by creating a uniform definition, which would allow for consistency in research and policy.

Because of the processing techniques used for some dairy foods like flavored yogurts, flavored milk, cheeses, and powdered dairy products, the way ultra-processed foods are ultimately defined could affect how these products can be marketed, and whether or not they will be included in federally funded programs such as SNAP, WIC or school meals programs.

In its comments, NMPF urged USDA and FDA to use caution when developing any definition of UPFs, highlighting that previous attempts and currently available UPF classification systems have failed to account for nutrient density and affordability. “If the administration moves forward with developing a definition, it must be developed carefully to avoid misclassification of nutrient dense foods and recognize that not all foods being processed are equal,” the comments said.

NMPF also urged the administration to exempt all dairy foods from any future definition or “ultra-processed” classification, based on decades of research supporting dairy’s health benefits in American diets.

Shutdown Work Includes ELRP Sign-Up Extension

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

As the federal government shutdown continues, NMPF continues to serve as a resource to farmers and remains in contact with USDA and other agency staff to make sure dairy farmer needs are met.

At NMPF’s urging, USDA has committed to giving farmers an extended deadline for applying to the Emergency Livestock Relief Program 2023 and 2024 Flood & Wildfire. 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 offices to learn more about details on local hours and services and ask them to discuss their ELRP applications.

NMPF staff are also working with USDA to address issues regarding premium payments and payouts under the Dairy Margin Coverage and Dairy Revenue Protection programs, as well as other matters. Please contact NMPF with any questions or concerns at info@nmpf.org.

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.

Federal Regulations Evolving Fast

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The regulatory climate in Washington is shifting in unprecedented ways, requiring quick responses and an eye for opportunities, NMPF regulation experts said in a Dairy Defined podcast released today.

The pace of evolution is “Intense, insane,” said Clay Detlefsen, NMPF’s Senior Vice President for Regulatory and Environmental Affairs. “It changes daily. It’s full of unknowns, and it’s moving forward at an absolutely crazy pace. We don’t know what to expect tomorrow or the next day or the day after that, but things are indeed happening.”

Joining Detlefsen to discuss what dairy farmers, processors and consumers should anticipate, from milk labeling to MAHA, are Dr. Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s Chief Science Officer, and Director of Regulatory Affairs Miquela Hanselman.

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.”

NMPF CEO Doud Discusses Dairy Achievements on FMMOs, Whole Milk for Dairy Radio Now Listeners

Posted on by Chris Galen

As June Dairy Month begins, NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud explains for listeners of Dairy Radio Now that NMPF has helped notch two important achievements for the dairy community: the implementation of long-awaited updates to the Federal Order system, and passage by the Senate Agriculture Committee of legislation to expand milk choices in schools.

NMPF’s Galen Explains Importance of DMC Signup in 2025

Posted on by Chris Galen

NMPF’s senior vice president Chris Galen discusses why farmers not already enrolled in the Dairy Margin Coverage program should consider using the risk management tool this year. DMC is one of several options, including Livestock Gross Margin and Dairy Revenue Protection programs, that can be used in tandem.  The deadline for producers to sign up for the USDA program is Monday, March 31.

Dairy Groups Applaud Administration Vaccine Support, Thank USDA for Plan

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released the following statements today in response to the Trump Administration’s updated response plan for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that is affecting our nation’s dairy herds.

NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud said the following: “Dairy farmers and cooperatives appreciate USDA’s leadership in supporting American agriculture and safeguarding animal health as it deals with what soon will be a second year of H5N1 bird flu disruptions in dairy cattle. Dairy farmers and all of agriculture takes biosecurity seriously, and we thank USDA and the Trump Administration for actions that will further those efforts.

“We support the department’s initiatives to advance vaccine development and deployment that will help control, and ultimately eliminate, the virus in dairy cattle. And we also want to remind consumers that, even as dairy farmers are working with veterinarians and officials at all levels of government to eliminate this animal health threat, milk for consumers remains safe to drink because of the effectiveness of pasteurization.”

IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., said the following: “The International Dairy Foods Association is grateful to Agriculture Secretary Rollins for investing up to $100 million in new and ongoing research into animal vaccinations and therapeutic tools to manage highly pathogenic avian influenza in our nation’s dairy herds and commercial poultry flocks. We continue to urge USDA and its federal partners to act quickly to develop and approve the use of safe, effective bovine vaccines to guard against current and future strains of avian influenza affecting U.S. dairy. It is essential that the federal government work with our industry to ensure a vaccination strategy is feasible and cost-effective for farmers while working with international trading partners to assure the use of vaccines does not limit or disrupt U.S. agricultural exports.”