Leaders from two national farm associations held a teleconference this morning to unveil plans for a “Straight Talk” campaign to engage the food industry in a dialogue on sustainable agriculture production, the marketing practices used to reach consumers, and the intersection of both trends. The call, hosted by the United States Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and the National Milk … Read More
American Butter Institute Board Elects New Leadership
John Ellenberger of Land O’ Lakes, Inc. was elected the new president of the American Butter Institute at the group’s Board of Directors’ meeting in mid-October. The board also designated the first and second vice president of the organization, which represents the companies manufacturing the majority of the nation’s butter products. The following individuals were elected to a two-year term: … Read More
Farm Groups Challenge Dannon & Other Food Companies
Leaders of the nation’s top farming organizations joined together urging food companies to recognize that their sustainability goals, intended to reduce the use of natural resources, cannot be achieved without the use of modern agricultural practices, despite any misleading assertions to the contrary. This focus on deceptive food company marketing claims is in response to Dannon’s recent pledge to eliminate … Read More
USDA to Purchase Surplus Cheese
Following a roundtable discussion with dairy producers near La Crosse, Wisc. today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced USDA is offering to purchase $20 million of cheddar cheese to reduce a private cheese surplus that has reached record levels, while assisting food banks and other food assistance recipients. While USDA projects dairy prices to increase throughout the rest of the year, … Read More
Dairy Groups Hosting Webinar on EU Geographical Indications
The three national dairy trade associations have plans to unveil a major economic analysis on the consequences of surrendering to the European Union on common cheese names in a webinar for media Tuesday, October 11, at 11 a.m. EDT. The webinar will include a 60-page analysis that shows how the EU’s anti-competitive approach to geographical indications will cost U.S. dairy … Read More
FARM Program, Merck Offer Animal Health Webinars
The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program , which is administered by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), has announced that it is teaming up with Merck Animal Health to offer a series of animal health webinars that will further build upon the strong partnership established last year between the Merck Dairy Care365 Program and the FARM Program. This decision … Read More
Dairy Groups Challenge Protectionist Dairy Policy in Canada
Dairy organizations in the United States, Australia, the European Union, Mexico and New Zealand issued a joint letter to their respective trade and agriculture officials, expressing indignation about Canada’s recent actions to deepen its restrictions on dairy trade. The groups said Canada’s policies violate “international trade obligations, hold out the prospect of trade diversion with attendant global price-depressing impacts and … Read More
Dairy Groups Urge Investigation of New Canadian Barriers
The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) have praised Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) for urging an investigation into Canadian dairy pricing policies that have impacted current trade and stand to negatively affect U.S. dairy farmers and manufacturers, jeopardizing the country’s trade commitment to the United States. In a letter to … Read More
NMPF Also Asks USDA to Aid to Dairy Farmers
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has also sent a letter to the USDA to provide a measure of relief by purchasing at least $100 million worth of cheese products for donation to the needy – a measure that would help both farmers, and food insecure Americans who patronize food banks. In a letter sent Friday to Agriculture Secretary Tom … Read More
US-Mexico Dairy Alliance Forms
Leaders of U.S. and Mexican dairy industry organizations have pledged to work together towards improving trade between the two countries, addressing mutual challenges, and increasing dairy consumption while promoting milk production on both sides of the border. A memorandum, signed by the dairy leaders after a two day summit this week, created a US-Mexico Dairy Alliance. The Alliance will meet … Read More