This week, the National Milk Producers Federation’s (NMPF’s) Board of Directors unanimously endorsed a proposal to modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system. During their March meeting, they reached a milestone that caps more than two years of discussion and more than 130 meetings on different aspects of the proposal. Chairman of NMPF’s Board of Directors, Randy Mooney, said “The plan …
Dairy Coalition Applauds Court Decision on “Gruyere”
What’s in a name? Court cases and a bit of trouble, when it comes to cheese. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), and other industry stakeholders prevailed in their battle to protect generic names in the United States. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld prior …
NMPF on Next Steps on Plant-Based Labeling
While current FDA regulations define dairy products as being from dairy animals, the FDA recently released draft guidance allowing plant-based products to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy. During an interview this week with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President for Communications Alan Bjerga commented on that draft guidance. …
Bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act Reintroduced
Senate lawmakers this week reintroduced the DAIRY PRIDE Act of 2023. The bill is titled The Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act of 2023. The legislation would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants, and algae to no longer be mislabeled with dairy terms such as milk, …
Record Exports Show Dairy’s Global Reach
According to the latest dairy market report, the record exports last year indicate U.S. dairy’s global reach. It shows 2022 ended with U.S. dairy exports setting a second consecutive record for percent of domestic production exported during an entire calendar year, with 17.8 percent of U.S. milk solids production exported. That helped temper sluggish domestic consumption; while the year’s final …
FDA Announces Draft Guidance for Plant-Based Dairy Imitators
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Wednesday announced draft recommendations on the naming of plant-based foods that are marketed and sold as alternatives to milk. The guidance recommends that an alternative milk product that includes the term milk and has a nutrient composition different than milk, include a voluntary nutrient statement that conveys how the product compares with milk. Jim …
Dairy Brings Resilience for Ukraine Farmer
One year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, dairy cows are critical to keeping a Ukraine farmer’s crop and livestock operation running as the war continues. National Milk Producers Federation’s Alan Bjerga talked to him in this week’s Dairy Defined Podcast. The full podcast is here. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …
USDA Developing New Ways to Track COVID in Wild and Domestic Animals
Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing new tests to identify and track the COVID virus in wild and domestic animals. Funded by the American Rescue Plan, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is implementing $300 million to conduct monitoring and surveillance of susceptible animals for the COVID virus. Through the initiative, ARS, in partnership with …
The Ups and Downs of February Meat Production and Price Forecasts
Some are wondering what USDA’s February outlook for U.S. meat production and price is showing regarding movement trends. Rod Bain has a story looking at that, along with in providing information about the dairy trade forecasts, where he notes production and prices for February were mostly pointed in the same direction. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement …
New Developments in USMCA Challenge of Canadian Dairy TRQ’s
The U.S. is again taking their dispute of Canada’s dairy tariff-rate-quotas before a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement panel. Our nation’s Chief Ag Negotiator, Ambassador Doug McKalip of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, explains the process for a dispute body to address this latest U.S. claim. McKalip discusses the history of a U.S. dispute with Canada’s tariff-rate-quota policy for dairy …