The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published a final rule reaffirming that milk may be sold anytime, anywhere in all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. The rule bans any school policies or procedures that attempt to restrict the sale or marketing of fluid milk in a la carte lines, vending machines and concession stands at school-sponsored events. … Read More
USDA Economic Outlook for Dairy
From the USDA‘s newly released “Livestock, Dairy & Poultry Outlook,” a report from the Economic Research Service. Dairy: Feed prices are expected to moderate slightly both this year and next. But milk supplies still lead demand, and exports are expected to be well behind the last two years. Consequently, prices will remain weak this year. A modest improvement in prices … Read More
NMPF and USDEC Applaud USDA
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) applaud U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for his recent announcement regarding initial allocations under the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) for the new marketing year July 2009 – June 2010. “This important action by Secretary Vilsack demonstrates his commitment to continue to offer support for … Read More
NMPF Requests USDA to Raise Support
The National Milk Producers Federation has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to boost its purchase prices for cheese and milk powder in order to bolster the current rock-bottom milk prices that are threatening the livelihoods of thousands of dairy farmers. In a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, NMPF requested that the USDA raise the purchase price for … Read More
USDA Announces Allocations for Dairy Export Incentive Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced allocations under USDA’s Dairy Export Incentive Program for the July 2008 through June 30, 2009 period, as allowed under the rules of the World Trade Organization. The program helps U.S. dairy exporters meet prevailing world prices and encourages the development of international export markets in areas where U.S. dairy products are not competitive due to … Read More
USDA Announces Assesment to Imported Dairy Products
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) hailed the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that it will finally apply the dairy promotion checkoff to imported dairy products, 25 years after the national 15 cent checkoff was first applied to U.S.‐produced milk. On Monday, the USDA published a proposed rule spelling out how it will calculate and assess the … Read More
Organic Dairy Rules to be Revised
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued draft rules for organic milk that would require that the cows be on pasture at least half the year and get plenty of fresh grass. The proposals are meant to close a loophole that has allowed some huge feedlots to sell their milk as organic, even though their cows rarely grazed on fresh … Read More
ERS Predicts Milk Price May Raise Slightly
A small ray of sunshine for our country’s dairy farmers – the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has raised its predictions for milk prices. In its March “Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook” report, ERS economists write, “As a result of higher cheese and butter prices than forecast earlier, the prices for Class III and Class IV milk have been raised … Read More
USDA and Vilsack Announce Plans for Nonfat Dry Milk
The USDA and Agricultural Secretary Vilsack announced today that 200 million pounds of nonfat dry milk will be directed to the federal school lunch program and to food banks, helping low-income families and dairy farmers hit by high feed costs and low prices. Additional quantities of powdered milk may also be directed for use in foreign food aid programs. The … Read More
USDA Considers Elimination of Producer-Handler Exemption in Federal Milk Marketing Orders
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is already moving forward to examine a petition submitted last month by National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) to eliminate the producer-handler exemption in all Federal Milk Marketing Orders. In the proposal, submitted by NMPF and International Dairy Foods Association, large producer-handlers bottling more than 450,000 pounds of milk per month would no longer be able … Read More