The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) expressed thanks to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for his department’s decision to give dairy farmers additional time to review their 2018 coverage options in the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Monday it is extending the June 1 sign-up deadline to Friday, June 8. NMPF, along with key …
Celebrating National Cheese Day
Today we are celebrating a food that comes in many forms, shapes and flavors. Cathy Isom fills us in about a day dedicated to cheese. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating National Cheese Day June 4th is National Cheese Day. There are many food holidays that are dedicated to dishes with cheese. Today we honor only cheese. It’s …
MPP-Dairy Sign-Up Deadline Is Today
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind dairy producers that today, June 1, is the deadline to sign-up for the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). The program offers protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. Dairy operations must make a new coverage election for 2018, even if you enrolled during the previous 2018 signup period. Coverage elections made …
Got Jobs? Dairy Does
The newspaper headlines in 2018 have painted a grim portrait of the difficult financial conditions facing many of America’s dairy farmers. The prolonged slump in milk prices we’ve been going through has taken a painful toll on farmers, raising questions about the outlook not just for individual farms, but for the entire U.S. dairy sector. Hopefully, the recent positive movement …
Nation’s Number Two Milk Processor Continues to Close Plants
Dean Foods, the nation’s number-two milk producer behind Nestle, continues to shutter businesses in cost-cutting moves. Milk Business Dot Com says supply-and-demand economics appears to be the driving force behind the downsizing. U.S. milk production is continuing to climb as the demand for fluid milk wanes. That’s been hard on Dean’s bottom line as the company reported a year-over-year eight …
Reminder: MPP Enrollment Deadline Looming
Dairy farmers have until Friday to enroll in the retooled dairy Margin Protection Program. The Department of Agriculture set a June first deadline for enrollment in the program that was revised by Congress earlier this year. USDA says many producers will see payments in early June, depending on the coverage they elect. The program protects dairy producers by paying them …
Dairy Groups Ask for Original Oversight
U.S. dairy producers and manufacturers offered to collaborate with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to continue fostering dairy food safety and job growth, as the agency develops procedures for regulating imported foods, including shellfish and dairy. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) asked for further engagement with FDA on ways to …
OTA: Higher Organic Standards Up to Industry
The USDA recently withdrew its organic livestock and checkoff rules, which signals that the agency likely won’t be setting any higher standards for the organic seal. Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, says it’s up to the industry to take over from here. At the OTA annual policy conference, she said USDA has gone as far as it’s …
Dairy Farmers Have Until June 1 to Apply for Improved Safety Net under MPP
Many Participants Will Receive Payments Beginning in Early June The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy farmers of the June 1 deadline to enroll in the improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). Many producers will see payments in early June, depending on the coverage they elect. The program protects dairy producers by paying them based on the difference between …
New ‘Got Jobs?’ Campaign Demonstrates Dairy’s Substantial Impact on US Economy, States and Local Communities
Most Americans know milk and other dairy products are an essential part of a healthy diet. But less well-known is dairy’s contribution to the health of the U.S. economy and the economies of every state across the country. A new storytelling campaign launched by the U.S. dairy industry aims to shine a brighter, data-driven spotlight on the positive effects of …