Policy Thursday
Vilsack Optimistic After China, Japan Trip
Returning from a whirlwind seven-day trip to China and Japan, USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack said he is optimistic about the long-term health of U.S. dairy exports despite challenges caused by current trade disputes:
Trade Limits Impact U.S. Farmers
Another round of direct payments to farmers has been announced through the Market Facilitation Program. Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation tells us more:
Vilsack Asks Congress to Pass USMCA
Tom Vilsack, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council joined us on today’s Dairy Radio urging Congress to ratify the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement:
CWT Update
CWT continues to post strong numbers by assisting member cooperatives in securing contracts to sell dairy products to places like Asia, Central America, the Middle East, Oceania and South America. National Milk’s Chris Galen gives us an update on today’s Dairy Radio:
USDA Agencies Should Stay in DC
The move to relocate two USDA agencies (ERS & NIFA) to Kansas City is being questioned by dairy scientists. Dr. Ken Olson from the American Dairy Science Association joined us on today’s Dairy Radio:
DMC Signups Underway
Chris Galen from the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio listeners on the new Dairy Margin Coverage safety net for dairy producers.
NMPF Welcomes California Dairies
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) welcomed California Dairies Inc., the second-largest U.S. dairy cooperative by volume, into its membership by unanimous vote during its June board meeting. NMPF’s Chris Galen has more:
Mitigation Package In The Works
Chris Galen from the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio listeners on the federal trade mitigation package for farmers:
China Trade Concerns
National Milk’s Chris Galen joined us on our Policy Thursday to discuss the
ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China and the new Dairy Margin Coverage program:
Fake Milk Study Lacks Key Ingredients
The National Milk Producers Federation today is correcting the record intentionally muddied by the Plant Based Foods Association in conjunction with Linkage Research & Consulting, which presented flawed analysis as legitimate research to grab inaccurate headlines. Read More from NMPF.
MPP Refunds Available
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that dairy producers who had coverage under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which provided payments to producers when the price of milk fell below the feed costs to produce it, are eligible to receive a repayment for part of the premiums paid into the program. Read more from USDA site.
DMC Signup Info
The National Milk Producers Federation continues to encourage farmers to prepare for Dairy Margin Coverage signup, scheduled to begin June 17. The USDA’s decision tool, designed to help farmers determine their appropriate coverage level, is now online here. Later this week, letters will be sent to producers informing them of their premium refunds under the previous Margin Protection Program. NMPF’s Chris Galen tells us more:
Substituting Real Milk For Fake Milk Could Put Kids At Risk
An important new study from the European Journal of Nutrition reveals that young children fed a diet relying on plant based beverages “may risk deficiencies of calcium, zinc, iodine, vitamins B2, B12, D, A, and indispensable amino acids.” National Milk’s Chris Galen on Dairy Radio:
Border Closing Would “Wreak Havoc” For U.S. Dairy
An administration proposal to close the U. S. southern border with Mexico would send shock waves through the U.S. dairy industry, closing off access to its largest dairy export market, according to leading U.S. dairy organizations. NMPF’s Chris Galen joined us on Dairy Radio to discuss:
Strong Support For Dairy PRIDE Act
The National Milk Producers Federation voiced strong support for the DAIRY PRIDE Act, calling it another means toward a crucial end for consumers: the end of mislabeled non-dairy products as “milks” in the marketplace. NMPF’s Chris Galen joined provides an update:
Guidance To New DMC Program
With the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting the first month of data applicable to farmer payments under the new Dairy Margin Coverage program, the National Milk Producers Federation commended USDA for helping farmers understand the scope of DMC program and offered its own example to illustrate the potential benefits of maximizing coverage under the new top margin-coverage level of $9.50 per hundredweight. Read More
NMPF Thanks Chobani
In a letter to Hamdi Ulukaya, chief executive officer of Chobani, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern thanked the company for supporting transparency in the use of dairy terms on food-product labels, the subject of a recently ended FDA comment period. Read More
Funding the Government
Will cooler heads prevail to fund the U.S. government? Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Policy Thursday:
Study Shows U.S. Losses Without Japan Deal
A study released today by the U.S Dairy Export Council projects new trade agreements between Japan and other countries will put U.S. dairy exports at a competitive disadvantage, resulting in lost U.S. sales of $5.4 billion over 21 years (Read more). USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack joined us on Dairy Radio Now to discuss:
1-in-5 Consumers Think Imitators Should be Called Milk
With only six days to go before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comment period on fake milks ends, new consumer research shows Americans widely disapprove of dairy terms being appropriated by fake-milk producers, as well as confusion on the nutritional content of milk versus plant-based imitators, offering further evidence that FDA must enforce long-existing standards of identity on dairy imposters. Read More
Government Shutdown Stymies Farm Bill
We have a new Farm Bill that will benefit dairy farmers but the government shutdown has put a ‘hitch in the giddy-up’ for the time being. Dairy has been noted as a big winner in the Farm Bill, with new programs that assist dairy producers facing low prices. Chris Galen of the National Milk producers Federation joined us on our Policy Thursday to discuss some of the important policy reforms:
Optimism For Dairy Relief in ’19
Despite a government shutdown, there is some optimism for dairy producers when the new Farm Bill is implemented. Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation provided us an update:
Farm Bill Awaits Trump’s Signature
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for completing congressional approval of a new farm bill and sending to the White House a law that will provide important economic assistance to dairy producers in times of need. NMPF urged President Donald Trump to immediately sign the bill. NMPF’s Chris Galen joined us on today’s DaIry Radio Now with more:
Ag Leaders Agree On 2018 Farm Bill
House and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairmen Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Pat Roberts (R- Kan.) and Ranking Members Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) made the following announcement today on the state of 2018 Farm Bill negotiations:
“We’re pleased to announce that we’ve reached an agreement in principle on the 2018 Farm Bill. We are working to finalize legal and report language as well as CBO scores, but we still have more work to do. We are committed to delivering a new farm bill to America as quickly as possible.” Chris Galen from the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on Thursday’s Dairy Radio Now to discuss:
Lame Duck Congress Urged To Put Farmers First
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) urged Congress to make passing a new farm bill a top priority in its lame-duck session, saying that dairy farmers harmed by low prices would benefit from the certainty and improvements likely to be part of the final law. NMPF’s Chris Galen joined us on Dairy Radio Now to discuss and also alert dairy producers of the deadline to submit public comment on fake-milk labeling:
Dairy Farmers Ask Trump For Compensation
U.S. dairy farmers at their annual meeting in Pheonix this week asked President Donald Trump to recognize the significant economic losses milk producers are suffering because of the administration’s implementation of Section 232 and 301 tariffs. The duties have resulted in retaliatory tariffs against U.S. dairy exports, particularly in Mexico and China. They continue to cause severe economic harm to U.S. dairy farmers, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), as its board of directors adopted a resolution calling for aid commensurate to that damage. NMPF’s Chris Galen tells us more:
NMPF Prepares For Annual Meeting in Phoenix
Every fall, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) organizes a joint annual meeting with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA). Dairy producers, member cooperatives, Young Cooperators (YCs), industry representatives, staff and others from all over the country arrive for three days of speeches, reports, banquets, general sessions, town hall meetings, and award ceremonies. NMPF’s Chris Galen gave Dairy Radio Now listeners a preview on today’s program.
ABI Urges FDA to Address Mislabeled Butter Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should take prompt enforcement action against seven “butter” substitutes that flagrantly violate the agency’s food labeling requirements and thus are misbranded, the American Butter Institute (ABI) said today at its Board of Directors Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
ABI is the Arlington, Virginia-based trade association for manufacturers, processors, marketers and distributors of butter and butter products. The majority of butter consumed throughout the United States is made and marketed by ABI member companies and cooperatives. Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation updated Dairy Radio Now listeners on the latest:
As the only dairy food standard established by federal statute, butter is defined as “made exclusively from milk or cream, or both, with or without common salt, and with or without additional coloring matter, and containing not less than 80 per centum by weight of milk fat, all tolerances having been allowed for.” Concurrently, FDA dictates that certain foods should be deemed imitations if that food resembles another but is nutritionally inferior or fails to meet established characterizing ingredient requirements.
read more…Crunch Time in Washington
Both the deadlines to fund the government and pass a new farm bill are less than two weeks away. Chris Galen of the National Milk Producers Federation gave Dairy Radio Now listeners an update on what’s been happening in our nation’s capital.
The Heat Is On In D.C.
The heat is on in our nation’s capital. Not only the recent triple-digit temperatures but also some hot dairy policy topics to discuss. Chris Galen, Sr VP of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation gave Dairy Radio Now listeners an update on confirmation hearings, farm bill conference, and the sign up for the Market Facilitation Program. Listen here:
Food Marketers On Notice Over Fake Milk Labels
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally recognized the need to increase its scrutiny of plant-based products imitating standardized dairy foods, there’s been some opposition on Capitol Hill for the FDA to move forward. Chris Galen from the National Milk Producers Federation updates on the latest in fake milk labeling and also has some info on the federal dairy assistance offered through the tariff mitigation plan,
NMPF Welcomes Assistance to Dairy Farmers Suffering from Retaliatory Tariffs
The new tariff mitigation program announced Tuesday by the Trump Administration should provide badly needed economic assistance to dairy farmers facing significant financial losses, the National Milk Producers Federation said today.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is preparing a $12 billion economic assistance program designed to help dairy farmers and other agricultural producers suffering from the effects of retaliatory tariffs imposed by Mexico, China and other key trading partners. NMPF’s economic estimates indicate that these tariffs will cost U.S. dairy farmers $1.8 billion just through the remainder of this year, based on the decline in milk futures prices since the retaliatory tariffs were implemented.
NMPF’s Chris Galen, SVP of Communications, tells us more on today’s Dairy Radio Now.
FDA Gathers Input Over Animal Cell Culture Technology
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is holding a public meeting today to discuss foods produced using animal cell culture technology. Cell culture technologies that have been increasingly used to produce cells and tissues for human therapeutic use are now being used by the food sector to create innovative products that resemble conventional meat, poultry, and seafood. “The FDA has multiple authorities and programs that can support efforts to safely bring products with new ingredients to the market, according to FDA. “Food safety is at the core of the agency’s mission to protect and promote public health for our nation’s consumers.
As the use of laboratory-based cell culture technologies to replicate naturally made foods continues to develop, the FDA must first enforce its own existing regulations on the labeling of imitation products, according to Chris Galen, Sr. VP of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation.
At an FDA hearing today focused on the regulation of cell-cultured products replicating meat, NMPF said that these rapidly evolving technologies impact dairy foods, as well. Just as scientists have discovered how to make “meat” imitations look and feel like the real thing, so, too, have they used genetically modified yeast to produce proteins that share a chemical identity with those found in milk. Listen to NMPF’s Chris Galen’s comments here:
American Farmers, Cheese Makers Ask President Trump to Suspend Tariffs on Mexican Products as NAFTA Talks Continue
More than 60 companies and organizations representing American dairy farmers and cheese makers commended President Donald Trump today for his efforts on equitable trade and for insisting that Canada halt its market-distorting dairy practices. At the same time, the companies urged the administration to reconsider its imposition of new tariffs on Mexico in light of that country’s constructive engagement in North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations and the harm that Mexico’s retaliatory tariffs will have on U.S. dairy’s trade with its largest and most reliable market.
In retaliation for U.S. actions on steel and aluminum imports, Mexico recently added new tariffs – some of which will reach as high as 25 percent next month – on American-made cheeses, among other products. These tariffs will certainly diminish demand for high-quality dairy products that are produced across the United States. The production of cheese and other dairy products in the U.S. supports nearly 3 million American jobs. The additional Mexican duties also will allow the European Union, which recently signed a bilateral free trade agreement with Mexico, to take hard-earned market share from American dairy companies.
Read More
MPP Enrollment Extended
Dairy farmers have additional time to review their 2018 coverage options in the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP). The deadline to enroll has been extended to June 22, 2018. Chris Galen, Sr. Vice-President of Communications with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now with more information:
Meanwhile, NMPF today commended the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee for crafting a bipartisan Farm Bill that contains beneficial provisions for America’s dairy farmers. Following today’s passage by a margin of 20-1, the bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
The Senate Farm Bill contains enhancements to the dairy Margin Protection Program sought by NMPF, including improved coverage levels and greater program flexibility. The measure raises the maximum covered margin to $9/cwt. and adjusts the minimum percentage of milk that can be insured. It also includes an important agreement reached between NMPF and the International Dairy Foods Association on price risk management. Read more
Deadline Looms For MPP Enrollment
More than 10,000 dairy producers have enrolled in the new Margin Protection Program, a safety net that already guarantees retroactive payments for those that enrolled in $8.00 coverage or less. Producers have until June 1, 2018, to enroll.
USDA reported the April national average margin at $6.62, which guarantees payments for producers enrolled at the $8, $7.50 and $7 coverage levels. Producers are also guaranteed payments in January and February. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) produced a fact sheet explaining changes to the program’s coverage levels and premiums and offers an online MPP-Dairy Decision Tool to estimate potential costs and payments. Chris Galen with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us on Dairy Radio Now to tell us more:
MPP Enrollment Deadline Fast Approaching
The deadline to enroll or change coverage in the new Margin Protection Program (MPP) is Friday, June 1st, 2018. Chris Galen, Sr. VP of Communications joined us on today’s Dairy Radio Now to tell us why it’s important for dairy producers to take a second look at the program since it was revised under the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by Congress in February.
Coverage choices made this spring for calendar year 2018 will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2018. All dairy operations desiring coverage must sign up during the eight-week enrollment period. USDA also announced that dairy producers can participate in either MPP or the Livestock Gross Margin program for dairy (LGM-Dairy), but not both.
NMPF’s Chris Galen and Peter Vitaliano discuss the recent improvements to the dairy Margin Protection Program and what it all means for dairy producers. They also review USDA’s Decision Tool, which helps farmers determine the appropriate coverage. The deadline to enroll in the program in June 1.
