Final Milk Marketing Order rule is out

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued its final rule on Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Most of the changes take effect June 1. “The final rule, which contains the regulatory language, has been published in the Federal Register, and it will become effective June 1, with the exception of the milk composition factors, which will become effective on Dec. 1,” said Dana Coale, administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. “We’re delighted to have this rule out. It will provide the industry with information going forward as they plan in 2025.”

FMMO reaction

National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud said, “ this change will provide a firmer footing and fairer milk pricing.” For this region, there is an update for the make allowances for Class III milk. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said these reforms will not be uniform for dairy farmers across the country. Duvall is calling for a mandatory audited survey of the milk processing costs used to help establish make allowances. Edge Dairy Cooperative CEO Tim Trotter was not surprised with the changes and asks dairy farmers to communicate with their processors. “Ask them what are their long-term aspects, how does this change the business relationship? Those are very, very valid questions because every processor may have a different answer because it’s going to affect their business in a different way.”

400 ag groups urge swift confirmation for Rollins 

More than 400 agriculture groups and businesses have signed a letter of support for Agriculture Secretary-designate Brooke Rollins. The long list of groups signing off on the letter included the NMPF, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Dairy Farmers of America, Edge Dairy Farmers Cooperative, First District Association, Foremost Farms, Midwest Dairy Coalition and numerous commodity groups and general farm organizations.

Farm bill will happen in ’25 

Texas A&M Extension Economist Joe Outlaw believes this is the year that Congress delivers and finally passes a new farm bill. “I do farm bill policy; this is what I do for a living,” Outlaw told the Red River Farm Network. “I’ve been doing meetings for the last two years and in every meeting, I’ve stood up and said it’s not going to happen this year. I’m going to stand up in this meeting and say it’s going to happen this year so that’s completely different.” According to Outlaw, any farm bill must include higher reference prices and a bump in trade promotion funds. “Why do it if we’re not going to have a safety net that’s relevant for producers?”

Bipartisan hopes rise for new farm bill 

2025 began with a farm bill that was three years old and farmers’ patience with Congress is wearing thin. Veteran Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer said he is optimistic that it will finally get done in this Congress. “Now you have a Republican heading the Senate Ag Committee, (Arkansas Senator) John Boozman and he works very well with (Pennsylvania Representative) G.T. Thompson,” Wiesemeyer said. “You have the new ranking member on the Senate Ag Committee, (Minnesota Senator) Amy Klobuchar; will she offer compromising words that she can work with the Senate and the House to finally get this new farm bill done?”

Canada promises “robust” tariff response 

According to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Trump administration’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian products will put American jobs at risk. Trudeau, who has announced his intention to step down, sent a message south of the border. “If indeed, the incoming administration moves forward with these unfair and unjust tariffs, Canada will respond,” Trudeau said. “We will respond in measured ways but in robust ways, demonstrating, once again, that Canadians know how to stand up for ourselves.” In response, a Trump spokesman said the incoming administration will implement economic and trade policies that will protect Americans.

Milk production forecast lowered

In USDA’s January supply and demand report, the 2025 milk production forecast was lowered due to slower growth and output per cow. The 2024 milk production estimate was reduced from the past month due to lower milk cow inventories and lower-than-expected milk per cow. USDA’s semi-annual cattle inventory report at the end of this month will shed light on the intentions to retain dairy heifers in the milk herd. The 2025 Class III milk price estimate was raised with higher cheese and whey prices.

Dairy deadline approaches 

January 30 is the deadline for dairy farmers with milk losses due to the H5N1 virus to apply for ELAP assistance. Farm Service Agency Assistant Deputy Administrator Kimberly Graham said this is through the ELAP or Emergency Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program. “In July of 2024, we made policy changes that allowed ELAP to also assist dairy producers who had incurred milk losses resulting from reduced milk production when cattle were removed from their commercial dairy herds that tested positive for H5N1.”

Safety net program enrollment dates scheduled  

USDA has announced the enrollment dates for its farm safety net programs. The signup for the Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs will be held from Jan. 21 to April 15. If farmers do not submit their election revision by mid-April to their local FSA, their election will remain the same as their 2024 election. For Dairy Margin Coverage, the signup extends from Jan. 29 to March 31. There are different levels of coverage in the voluntary DMC program.

Fischer moves up to Edge presidency

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative has a new president, Heidi Fischer of Hatley, Wisconsin. Fischer succeeds Brody Stapel of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin. New board members are Jay Stauffacher of Darlington, Wisconsin, and Christina Zuiderveen of Granville, Iowa.

New Dairy Business Association president elected

Gary Siegenthaler is the new president of the Dairy Business Association. Siegenthaler, who is with Grande Cheese in Fond Du Lac, previously served as vice president. Lee Kinnard, a dairy farmer from Casco, served the maximum number of terms as president.

Community outreach recognition for Ducat

The Dairy Business Association and Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin honored Duane Ducat of Kewanee with its Community Outreach Award. Ducat is a partner in Deer Run Dairy. This award recognizes farmers who are engaged in their community and promote a positive message about dairy farming.

Trivia challenge

Former Minnesota Congressman Bob Bergland served as Jimmy Carter’s agriculture secretary. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, how much saliva can a dairy cow produce in a day? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of the Dairy Star.

Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and five grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.