California laws and regulations continue changing, often causing unnecessary hardships on businesses in the state. A new law has passed in California, effective January 1, 2025 (often referred to as the “Captive Audience Meetings” law) that farm employers need to be aware of. Ron Barsamian, legal advisor to the California Fresh Fruit Association, shared the details of this new law, …
Opportunities for U.S. Dairy Exports Despite Trade and Tariff Uncertainty
Our California and U.S. dairy industry as a whole has come to rely heavily on exports, and continues hitting record sales with key trade partners and growing commodities, such as cheese. Despite the uncertainty accompanying the Trump administration and looming retaliatory tariff threats, the US Dairy Export Council remains committed to growing export market opportunities for the U.S. dairy industry. …
Renegotiated Trade Deal Benefits US Dairy Producers
The United States and Canada have been fighting about milk for years, but new Cornell research suggests recent Canadian trade concessions removed some barriers to U.S. dairy exports. Using monthly trade data, Christopher Wolf, the E. V. Baker Professor of Agricultural Economics in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, in the SC Johnson College of Business, found that U.S. …
Livestock Marketing Association Supports Re-Introduction of A-PLUS Act
An outdated prohibition almost cost Heidi Nicholas her marriage. On paper, anyway. When the chance arose to buy Empire Livestock — a business with six livestock auction markets across New York — she seized it. Nicholas understood the markets’ vital role in the region and saw no one else stepping up to keep them running. But there was one major …
National Milk Producers Federation Urges for More Dairy Trade Opportunities
In late February, Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), met with the House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee and explained that expanding market access and enforcing existing trade agreements to America’s dairy producers, workers and exporters is of paramount importance. “To keep up with our competitors from Europe and New Zealand, U.S. dairy exporters …
Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy Elects Dairy Farmers of America’s Rodenbaugh
Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) president and chief executive officer Dennis Rodenbaugh was elected chair of the board of directors at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy during the checkoff-founded organization’s first meeting of 2025. Rodenbaugh takes on the role from Leprino’s Mike Durkin, who served as the Innovation Center’s board chair since 2023. Rodenbaugh previously served as vice chairman …
IDFA Leaders Reappointed to USDA and USTR Trade Advisory Committees
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is pleased to share that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative announced the reappointment of Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, and Becky Rasdall Vargas, IDFA senior vice president of trade and workforce policy, to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade and the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee …
USDA Issues Final Rule Amending Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing
On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a final rule amending the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs). The final rule was made available for viewing on January 16, 2025, in the Federal Register and on AMS’s National Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Formula Hearing webpage. It was published …
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the application deadline for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024 to Dec.13, 2024. This extension gives organic dairy producers two additional weeks to apply for the program. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats and sheep. ODMAP 2024 helps mitigate market volatility, higher input …
IDFA Calls For Transparency and Accountability in the Dietary Guidelines Process
Ahead of the final public meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is raising concerns about the need for additional transparency and accountability in the DGAC process. In formal comments submitted to the Committee, IDFA urged the DGAC to prioritize the science and ensure open disclosure of the research that informs its recommendations. …
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