Policy Thursday
With Gratitude, Dairy Radio Now Signs Off
After many great years on the air, Dairy Radio Now will sign off for the final time on December 31, 2025. No further updates will be provided.
From barns to boardrooms, early mornings to long drives, it’s been our honor to share the voices of the dairy industry. Thank you to the farmers, sponsors, stations, and listeners who made this program possible.
So long, and thanks for milking every minute with us.
To the dairy industry—thank you for the trust, the stories, and the years of support. It’s been a privilege to bring your world to the airwaves.
Until then, keep the cows fed, the milk flowing, and the future bright. So long from Dairy Radio Now, and thanks for listening!
NMPF’s Chris Galen Reflects on Nearly Three Decades in the Dairy Industry
NMPF National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program
Federal Government Shutdown Continues
Preview to Dairy Industry’s Joint Annual Meeting in Texas
World Trade, Immigration News Remains Fluid
What To Know About New World Screwworm
Labor Shortage A Big Concern For Animal Welfare
ITC Hearing Spotlights Global Milk Powder Marketing Practices
NMPF’s Paul Bleiberg Discusses The One Big Beautiful Bill
Dairy Industry Takes Action Over Fake Butter Labeling
Ag Labor Landscape Changing Daily
On The Road With National Milk’s CEO Gregg Dowd
Animal Care Remains Priority In Dairy Industry
State Dairy Associations Visit Nation’s Capital
Latest Updates To FARM Program
Tariff Talk With NMPF’s Shawna Morris
DMC Signup Deadline Fast Approaching
Spending Bill Needed To Avert Government Shutdown
Positive Trends With Fluid Milk Consumption
Reintroducing Whole Milk In Schools
A Visit With NY Ag Commissioner Richard Ball
National Milk Report
Nation’s Capital Prepares For Transition
A Visit With NMPF’s Peter Vitaliano
Expect Congress To Punt During Lame Duck Session
Learn More About The Farm Environmental Stewardship Program
Trump Wins The White House
National Milk Annual Meeting Wraps Up In Phoenix
Dairy Industry’s Joint Annual Meeting Fast Approaching
Colombia Government Hampers U.S. Dairy Exports
A Visit With House Committee Ag Chair
Dairy Pride Act Discussed On Capitol Hill
Updating Dietary Guidelines For ALL Americans
Cooperatives Working Together Continues To Evolve
FARM Continues To Evolve
A Big Step In Modernizing Federal Milk Marketing Order
Changes Coming To CWT Program
Young Dairy Farmers Visit Nation’s Capital
House Ag Committee Marks Up Farm Bill
Lawmakers Work To Reform Farm Labor
Dairy Market Outlook With NMPF’s Peter Vitaliano
FMMO Hearing Concludes In Hoosier State
Congress Has Work To Do In ’24
Not All The Presents Are Under The Tree
USDA Reconvenes FMMO Hearing
Being Thankful
NMPF Joint Annual Meeting Approaching
Optimism From Recent IDF World Dairy Summit
FMMO Hearing & New Farm Bill Update
FMMO Hearing Continues As Shutdown Looms
Dairy Disaster Assistance & Dietary Guideline Update
FMMO Hearing Continues
FMMO Hearing Underway
NMPF On FDA’S Draft Plant-Based Labeling Guidance
Farm Bill Deadline Looming
What’s The Deal With Animal Free Milk?
Improving Federal Milk Pricing System Is A Process
National Milk Producers Federation Update
Modernizing Milk Pricing In USDA’s Hands
Moving the issue of milk price reform is now in USDA’s court, as we hear from Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation:
Milk Price Reform Discussions Continue
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest efforts to reform the federal milk pricing system:
Milk Price Reform Reaches Pivotal Point
While the process of a USDA FMMO hearing and a referendum vote by producers will take some time, the National Milk Producers Federation already have come a long way toward achieving improvements to milk pricing that will modernize this important program. NMPF’s Chris Galen shares more on today’s Dairy Radio NOW:
Provide Your Feedback on Fake Milk
National Milk’s Chris Galen joins us to discuss the public comment period for FDA’s guidance of plant based labels. Dairy advocates may learn more about the issue and offer comments here. Galen also updated us on legislation called DAIRY PRIDE, an acronym for the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act.
Sen. Baldwin Comments On Fake Milk
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) unwillingness to limit dairy terms to true dairy products makes passage of the DAIRY PRIDE Act more necessary than ever, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-WI, said in a Dairy Defined podcast released this week. Listen to the full podcast here
Dairy Pride Act Would Help End Consumer Confusion
The National Milk Producers Federation commended a bipartisan group of senators for re-introducing the DAIRY PRIDE Act, which would end the problem of consumer confusion of the nutritional content of plant-based beverages the Food and Drug Administration took inadequate steps to remedy last week.
FDA is accepting comments on its draft guidance until April 24. Meanwhile, DAIRY PRIDE introduction in the House of Representatives is expected within weeks. NMPF’s Chris Galen gave Dairy Radio Now listeners an update from our nation’s capital:
Farm Bill Discussion An Example of Bipartisanship
The National Milk Producers Federation commended three NMPF cooperative members who spoke up for dairy producers today at a bipartisan House Agriculture Committee farm bill listening session held in Tulare, CA. California earlier this week. Chris Galen provided an update on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Holding Canada Responsible For Trade Violations
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended a recent announcement that the U.S. Trade Representative has formally moved to advance a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute settlement proceeding and establish a second panel to determine whether Canada has been in violation of its market access obligations under the agreement. NMPF’s Chris Galen tells us about it on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Farmer Angel Network
Farming is a uniquely stressful occupation, and farmer mental-health needs tend to be underserved, said Loganville, WI dairy farmer Randy Roecker in the latest Dairy Defined podcast. Roecker, a board member for Foremost Farms USA, is a co-founder of the Farmer Angel Network, a Wisconsin organization that helps support farmers’ mental health needs. More info about the Farmer Angel Network here: https://www.farmerangelnetwork.com/
How Much ‘Farm’ Is In The Farm Bill?
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to discuss the challenges of getting a new Farm Bill passed.
NMPF Keeps New Farm Bill On Radar
The 118th Congress convenes and clear policy challenges lie ahead. Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to discuss the top priorities for ’23:
Spending Bill Priority To End Year
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on what the congressional lame duck session has been up to, as we close out 2022.
NMPF Encourages Scholarship Holiday Giving
Holiday giving season is under way, and NMPF’s National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program is a worthy beneficiary for anyone who cares about a better industry future, explains Nicole Ayache, who leads the program at NMPF, in the latest Dairy Defined podcast. The full podcast is here. You can also find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
Deadline Looms For Ag Labor Reform
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to share the importance of Congress acting now on ag labor reform rather than wait for a new divisive Congress.
U.S. To Host World Dairy Summit
The International Dairy Federation (IDF) World Dairy Summit brings unique opportunities for U.S. dairy as the host nation for the Chicago event, to be held next Oct. 16-19. The global conference returns to the United States for the first time in three decades, at a moment when rising exports and world-leading sustainability gives the U.S. industry a great story to tell, according to three leaders in organizing next year’s events. Listen Here to the NMPF Dairy Defined Podcast
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and giving thanks. We are very thankful for today’s dairy farmers who put in the hours every day of the year. National Milk’s Chris Galen joins us today:
Mid Terms Are History, But Who Won?
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on the days after the mid-terms:
Joint Annual Mtg Wraps Up in Denver
The National Milk Producers Federation recently wrapped up their joint annual meeting with Dairy Management, Inc. Chris Galen gives us a recap from Denver:
Joint Annual Meeting Approaching
The 2022 Joint Annual Meeting of the National Dairy Board, the National Milk Producers Federation and the United Dairy Industry Association is approaching quickly, October 23-26, at the beautiful new Gaylord Rockies Resort, which is just a few minutes from the Denver International airport. NMPF’s Chris Galen gave Dairy Radio Now listeners a preview:
USDA Invests In Climate Smart Solutions
Dairy farmers are receiving assistance from USDA when it comes to Climate Smart Solutions. Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation tells us more on today’s Dairy Radio Now:
Dairy Imitators Continue
The National Milk Producers Federation is continuing to combat the dairy imitators as we hear from NMPF’s Chris Galen:
Inflation Reduction Act Helps Farmers
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will pour billions of dollars into the agriculture industry. We hear more from Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation:
Inflation Reduction Act Discussed
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Policy Thursday to discuss the revamping of the scuttled Build Back Better initiative:
Build Back Better Goes On Back Burner
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to update us on the next steps to help dairy producers with important climate technology, now that the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better proposal is dormant.
Modernizing Milk Pricing Is A Process
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest progress of modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Order pricing system.
Feed Industry Gathers
Louise Calderwood, director of regulatory affairs with the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) joins us on today’s Dairy Radio Now from the AFIA annual meeting.
Revamping The Milk Pricing System
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updates Dairy Radio Now listeners on revamping the Federal Milk Marketing Order system the milk pricing:
Fake Milk Labeling Changes Expected
With FDA guidance expected on the proper labeling of plant-based milk alternatives sometime this summer, the National Milk Producers Federation is asking the FDA to rethink plant-based beverages when defining milk. Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on today’s Policy Thursday:
Dairy Operators Need Seasonal Workers
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest push to approve the H-2A Visa Program for year-round dairy farm employers:
Shipping Relief Needed For Dairy Exports
The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) recently sent a letter to the Biden administration recommending specific steps to provide relief and support to dairy farmers and exporters facing supply chain constraints. NMPF’s Chris Galen shared more on Thursday’s Dairy Radio Now:
Farm Bill & Ag Labor Discussed
Paul Bleiberg, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the National Milk Producers Federation, in a Dairy Defined podcast, discussed the latest from Washington, including work on the next farm bill and immigration reform. Listen to the complete Dairy Defined podcast here
CWT Continues Around The Globe
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) is a program designed exclusively by America’s dairy farmers for the benefit of America’s dairy farmers. Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation gives us the latest numbers:
Quantifying Emission Reductions
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest efforts to reduce greenhouse gasses.
NY Mayor Isn’t A Flavored Milk Fan
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) responded to a bipartisan letter from Rep. Antonio Delgado and Members of Congress from New York encouraging New York City Mayor Eric Adams not to eliminate flavored milk from New York City school meals. Read More
Port Shipments Need Enforcing
Chris Galen from the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now with an update on the latest enforcement actions against some vessel owners:
Cheering On The New FDA Chief
Dr. Robert M. Califf was named Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on our Policy Thursday to discuss what the new appointment, and why NMPF is cheering for his success:
Attempts Made To Ease Port Congestion
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new program to help address the export side of the supply chain crisis. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest attempts to ease port congestion and get exports flowing again:
A REAL Dairy Guarantee
Trade Win Over Canada
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) celebrated a landmark decision published this week which found Canada is improperly restricting access to its market for U.S. dairy products in violation of its U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) commitments. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on what this means for the U.S. dairy industry moving forward:
A Blessed Christmas During Uncertain Times
Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation updates Dairy Radio Now listeners on what the industry has been through in 2021 and what we can look forward to in 2022:
DMC Signups Begin Monday
The National Milk Producers Federation is urging farmers to sign up for maximum coverage in 2022 under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, which USDA announced will open for enrollment from Monday, Dec. 13, through Feb. 18. This year’s DMC signup is accompanied by new enhancements that make the program even more valuable for producers seeking protection against unforeseen market risks. NMPF’s Chris Galen updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on Thursday’s broadcast:

