Organic dairies challenge FMMOs

A coalition of organic dairy companies has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, challenging Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Horizon Organic Dairy and Aurora Organic Dairy argue their required participation in Federal Orders is unconstitutional. Both conventional and organic fluid milk processors pay into a system designed to stabilize prices by pooling and redistributing the revenue throughout the industry. The Coalition for Organic Dairy Exemption says conventional processors see the benefit, but “almost none” of the funds are paid to organic processors. The coalition is seeking an exemption from the FMMO pooling provisions.

Dairy group backs administration’s lawfare effort

The American Dairy Coalition welcomes the Trump administration’s decision to address regulatory overreach, eminent domain and permitting issues. ADC cites the Environmental, Social and Governance demands imposed on dairy farmers. In a statement, ADC said the lawfare effort is designed to “challenge radical ESG demands being imposed on American dairy farmers by foreign-owned milk processors.”

Farm bill hinges on SNAP compromise

The clock is ticking for Congress as lawmakers work through a crowded legislative agenda before the August recess. Along with the national security and budget issues, agriculture remains on the list, including Farm Bill 2.0 and additional economic assistance for farmers. Russell Group President Randy Russell says the biggest obstacle remains the proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, specifically a provision requiring states with payment error rates above 6% to share more of the program’s costs. “There are 17 Republican states that have error rates above 6%,” said Russell. “I’m cautiously optimistic that some kind of a deal can be struck where there’ll be some modifications to that error rate provision, which would get the Democrats on board. That issue has to be addressed before they’ll vote to move a farm bill.” Russell also said lawmakers continue discussing another round of economic assistance for agriculture, including roughly $11 billion in additional aid for farmers.

Budget reconciliation bill introduced

The House Budget Committee has approved a budget reconciliation bill with a party-line 20-14 vote. Within this massive $95 billion plan, the House Agriculture Committee has been directed to develop up to $12 billion in a farm assistance package. Once that is done and passed through the ag committee, it will return to the budget committee and through the rules committee before it comes to the House floor.

Supply, demand estimate updated

According to the July USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, 2026 milk production will total 236.6 billion pounds. That’s 200 million pounds more than the previous report. For 2027, milk output is forecast to increase from this year. The Class III milk price forecast declined from the June report to $16.15 per hundredweight.

Dairy exports increase

USDA reports dairy exports in May totaled 574 million pounds, up 67.8 million pounds from one year ago. U.S. cheese exports rose year over year, up 21.1 million pounds. Butter exports are up 10.4 million pounds. Whole milk powder exports declined 1.3 million pounds. Dry whey exports increased 32 million pounds in May. Nonfat dry milk exports and skim milk powder combined dropped off 27.4 million pounds while whey protein concentrate rose 2.2 million pounds.

New World screwworm influences import rules north of the border

Canada is tightening livestock import rules because of the New World screwworm outbreak in Texas. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has suspended imports of cattle, bison, horses, sheep, goats, pigs and several other species from Texas. Animals from other states can still enter Canada if they have not been in Texas during the previous 21 days.

Land O’Lakes to expand Tulare facility

Land O’Lakes is investing in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to expand its production of high-value dairy protein. This move will enable the production of ultra-filtered milk. The current focus on protein and new health trends, including GLP-1 medications, is shifting consumer demand, which is part of the Land O’Lakes decision.

Fairlife deals with ransomware attack

After a ransomware attack compromised its computer systems, Chicago-based Fairlife temporarily shut down its U.S. milk production facilities. The Coca-Cola Company, which is Fairlife’s parent company, announced an unauthorized third party gained access to its systems. Once the breach was detected, the company implemented its incident response plan and notified law enforcement.

Wisconsin winners in Cheese Society Competition

Wisconsin firms were big winners in the American Cheese Society competition. Marieke Gouda Golden Mature was named the highest-scoring American original. Klondike Cheese Company leads the state with 20 awards. BelGioiso Cheese, Schuman Cheese and Marieke Gouda had nine awards each. Arena Cheese Inc. and Deer Creek Cheese had seven awards, and Widmar’s Cheese Cellars earned six awards. “These awards reflect the extraordinary skill, devotion and innovation of Wisconsin’s cheese and dairy product makers,” said Chad Vincent, CEO of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin.

IDFA hires new political action committee director

The International Dairy Foods Association announced that Elizabeth Demorest has joined the organization as director of political action committee and political affairs. Most recently, Demorest was the associate director of political engagement for the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives adds Karney

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives named RJ Karney as its vice president and head of government affairs. Most recently, Karney was the senior director of public policy for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Before NASDA, he spent 16 years with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Hoff joins National Association of Farm Broadcasting staff

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has added Stephanie Hoff to the NAFB news service staff as a broadcast reporter. Hoff will be in the role on a part-time basis. Most recently, Hoff was a farm broadcaster at Midwest Farm Radio Network in Madison, Wisconsin, and previously served on the NAFB board of directors.

Star Finalists named

The National FFA Organization has named the 16 finalists for its American Star awards. Two of the finalists are from Wisconsin. They are Kaleb James Ellis from the Cochrane-Fountain City FFA Chapter for the American Star Farmer honors and Wesley Thomas Winch of the Fennimore FFA Chapter for the Star in Agribusiness.

Trivia challenge

National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, how many animals are registered in the Holstein Association herd book? 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.