The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and Dairy Management Inc.’s March Dairy Market Report is now out. In January, the average U.S. all-milk price reached its highest level since the final month of the 2013-2014 price spike. At $10.54 per hundredweight, the Margin Protection Program (MPP) margin for November–December was the highest in two years. Also in January, dairy exports … Read More
Wisconsin Dairy Farms Hit By Canada’s Trade Actions
Over 70 Wisconsin dairy operations are already feeling the blow from a protectionist Canadian trade policy that has slammed the door on American dairy exports, violated existing trade commitments, and left farmers across the state scrambling to find milk buyers. Grassland Dairy Products Inc. informed over 70 operations this week that their contracts with the company will end May 1st, … Read More
NMPF Stresses MPP Must be Priority for Farm Bill
Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) testified before the House Agriculture Committee sharing priorities for the next farm bill and stating improvements to the dairy Margin Protection Program must be a top priority. Mulhern told committee members, “While MPP was, and is, the right approach for the future of federal dairy policy, the program … Read More
U.S. Dairy Leaders Promise Steadfast Commitment to Mexico
The leaders of three major U.S. dairy organizations – U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) – promised to continue a strong commitment to their time-tested partnership with Mexico’s dairy industry and consumers. “We have always seen Mexico as a partner first and a customer second,” USDEC President and CEO Tom … Read More
NMPF Proposes Changes to MPP Making Viable Safety Net
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Board of Directors today unanimously approved a series of recommended changes to the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP) that will restore several key elements first proposed by NMPF during development of the 2014 Farm Bill. These changes to the MPP will ensure an effective safety net for the nation’s dairy farmers – if the … Read More
Legislation Pushes New Labeling Laws for Soy, Almond Milk
Soy and almond milk producers may soon face new labeling laws if new industry-backed legislation, sponsored by a pair of dairy state lawmakers, attracts more support in Congress. The Dairy Pride Act, sponsored by Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Vermont Rep. Peter Welch, would enforce longstanding FDA definitions (CFR 131.110) that define milk. The new bill expands the definition of … Read More
KS Dairy Farmer Testifies to Senate Ag Committee
Kansas dairy farmer Lynda Foster says dairy farmers need Congress to make improvements in the dairy title of the farm bill this year, and not wait until 2018. In a field hearing Thursday on the campus of Kansas State University, Foster told members of the Senate Agriculture Committee that “dairy farmers deserve better” than the current Margin Protection Program (MPP). … Read More
New FARM Program Environmental Stewardship Module
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has opened participation in its third component, FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES). The voluntary FARM Environmental Stewardship program helps dairy producers augment their environmental management efforts by identifying ways to improve their on-farm sustainability. “America’s dairy farmers have long been active stewards of the environment,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of … Read More
Dairy Groups Unhappy with Canadian Milk Pricing Policy
National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) urged President Trump to discuss Canada’s protectionist milk pricing policy during yesterday’s meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The groups are calling it “one of the most sensitive and urgent topics complicating the … Read More
Livestock Groups Concerned With Trump’s Trade Action
Animal ag groups jumped to respond to President Trump’s announcement that he is withdrawing the U.S. from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal and may seek to take action on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Tracy Brunner, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), said “We’re especially concerned that the Administration is taking these actions without … Read More