National Milk Producers Federation

A Big Step Toward Better Milk Options for Kids

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:45:37 GMT

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry took a key step toward expanding milk choices in schools today, advancing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act by voice vote. The bipartisan legislation, which has already cleared a House committee, would allow schools to once again offer whole and 2% milk, options currently excluded under federal school meal rules in place since 2012.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) applauded the committee’s action, calling it a crucial move toward improving childhood nutrition and giving schools greater flexibility to serve nutrient-dense dairy products.

“The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act is about making informed, science-backed decisions that prioritize the health and future of our children,” says Gregg Doud, NMPF president and CEO. “We’re grateful that this common-sense legislation has received such strong support from both sides of the aisle.”

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Peter Welch, D-Vt., Dave McCormick, R-Pa., and John Fetterman, D-Pa., would give schools the option to serve whole and 2% milk — choices that are currently not allowed under federal school meal guidelines established in 2012. Those rules restrict milk offerings to 1% and fat-free varieties.

If enacted, the legislation would mark a significant shift in school nutrition policy. Whole and 2% milk are the most commonly consumed varieties at home and have been shown to be more satiating for children while still delivering the same 13 essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and high-quality protein.

“Passing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act will allow more schoolkids to access essential nutrients in their diets, and that’s something everyone can get behind,” Doud adds.

Support for the legislation extends beyond the dairy sector. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) also welcomed the committee’s action.

“Farm Bureau appreciates the Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup and passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” says Zippy Duvall, AFBF president. “This bipartisan legislation will allow schools to offer additional nutritious milk varieties to students. Whole and 2% milk, as well as flavored options, are wholesome choices for children and an important building block for a healthy, balanced diet.”

The legislation is rooted in efforts to address declining milk consumption in schools. Since the removal of whole and reduced-fat milk from school menus more than a decade ago, overall milk intake among students has dropped. Advocates say reintroducing these options could help reverse that trend, especially at a time when nearly 90% of Americans fall short of recommended dairy intake levels.

“By offering milk options that align with both modern nutritional research and student preferences, schools can increase milk intake at a critical time,” Duvall says.

The House of Representatives is also considering companion legislation, led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, R-Pa., and Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash. That version passed out of the House Education and the Workforce Committee with bipartisan support earlier this year and now awaits floor action. A similar bill cleared the full House in 2023 but failed to reach the Senate floor before the session ended.

With momentum now building in both chambers, dairy organizations are urging lawmakers to bring the bill to a final vote. The National Milk Producers Federation continues to call on dairy advocates to contact their representatives and push for the bill’s passage.

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The Impact of Immigration Reform on U.S. Dairy Farms

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:10:06 GMT

The conversation surrounding mass deportation has sparked widespread debate across various sectors of the American economy. Among these, the dairy industry stands out, heavily reliant on immigrant labor to keep up with production demands. Recent reports highlight this dependency, showing that over half of all dairy labor is performed by immigrant workers. In fact, dairies employing immigrant laborers contribute to 79% of the U.S. milk supply. This statistic, brought to attention by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), emphasizes the crucial role of immigrant workers in maintaining this industry.

Growing Reliance on Immigrant Workforce
Dr. Robert Hagevoort of New Mexico State University, in his presentation at the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) Annual Meetings in Arlington, Texas, in mid-November, suggests that the figures from the NMPF report, dating back to 2015, may even underestimate the current reliance on immigrant labor.

“Dairy herd sizes have grown considerably and so have the number of employees on the farm,” he says.

Reflecting on past immigration policies, Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president of policy development and strategy for the NMPF, points out that immigration issues are not new to the industry. He references President Obama’s administration, which saw significant immigration enforcement actions, resulting in the deportation of 2.7 million individuals over eight years. As a result, President Obama was often labeled the “Deporter in Chief.”

Fast forward, and with newly re-elected President Trump’s tenure, there is an anticipation of stricter immigration policies. His campaign’s promise to tighten illegal immigration has started taking shape through a series of executive actions aimed at revamping the U.S. immigration framework. This has put the dairy industry on high alert.

Preparing for Possible Enforcement Actions
With an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, dairy producers are advised to stay vigilant and prepared. Castaneda urges dairy owners to keep necessary documentation, such as I-9 forms, social security copies, and identification like driver’s licenses, well-organized and readily accessible. Ensuring all paperwork is in compliance with federal and state laws is paramount if faced with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inspection.

Farm owners are also encouraged to have open dialogues with their employees, advising them against actions that might attract legal attention, such as minor traffic violations. Moreover, Castaneda suggests that dairy farmers communicate with peers in the community who also rely on immigrant workers to foster a supportive network.

The Indispensable Role of Immigrants
Voicing a critical perspective on the ultimate survival of U.S. dairy without immigrant labor, Rick Naerebout, CEO of Idaho Dairymen’s Association, asserts that American citizens are typically unwilling to undertake these demanding jobs.

“Americans don’t want these jobs,” he says, underscoring the necessity for immigration reforms that are not only fiscally viable but also ethically sound, benefiting Idaho and the broader United States.

The continued viability of the U.S. dairy industry heavily depends on the backbone provided by immigrant labor. As the nation grapples with immigration policy debates, the livelihoods of those within the dairy sector hang in balance, underscoring the urgent need for balanced reform that considers both economic imperatives and humanitarian values.

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Looking Back and Ahead: Insights from NMPF Chief Economist Peter Vitaliano

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:50:42 GMT

The dairy industry, a sector in constant evolution, owes much of its transformation and adaptation to visionary leaders such as Peter Vitaliano. After nearly four decades serving as the Chief Economist for the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), Vitaliano recently retired, leaving behind a legacy of insight and progress. In a recent episode of the Dairy Defined podcast, Vitaliano reflected on the changes he has observed over his tenure and shared his vision for the future of the industry.

A Journey Through Time
Vitaliano’s journey with NMPF began shortly after the 1985 Farm Bill, a time of significant policy implementation, such as the whole herd buyout program and adjustments to federal orders. Reflecting on the industry back then, Vitaliano highlighted the larger number of smaller farms and cooperatives in traditional dairy regions like the upper Midwest and the Northeast. These areas, although rich in dairy history, were not expanding in production, contrary to the rapid growth witnessed in the Western states with their larger farms. The Southeast, meanwhile, was experiencing a notable decrease in milk production capacity.

This geographical shift brought about challenges in unifying the industry’s policy approach. Vitaliano noted the difficulty NMPF faced during those early years in reconciling different regional needs. The overarching issue was how to manage the substantial dairy surpluses created by peak price support levels—a dilemma that dominated the industry discussions during Vitaliano’s early years.

Future Outlook: Continuing Trends and New Challenges
The trajectory that Vitaliano foresees suggests a continued decline in the number of smaller dairy farms, as larger farms, and potentially another wave of cooperative consolidation, take precedence. Interestingly, he anticipates the emergence of dairy farms so sizeable that they may opt-out of the traditional cooperative marketing structures.

This trend introduces specific challenges, particularly concerning the volume of milk that may fall outside the eligibility criteria for NMPF membership, prompting potential policy overhauls. According to Vitaliano, these changes will call for adjustments in federal orders, dairy margin coverage, and policies that are increasingly accommodating to the evolving industry. Crucial areas of focus include immigration reforms favorable to dairy, progressive trade policies, accurate food labeling, and the expansion of farm programs to meet modern consumer demands.

A Promising Future Built on a Solid Foundation
Despite potential challenges, Vitaliano remains optimistic about the future of the dairy industry. His confidence stems from the progressive nature of farms and farmers, alongside the leadership and robust infrastructure present within dairy organizations. He emphasizes that this dynamic foundation was evident when he joined NMPF, remains today, and will continue to be a fundamental aspect of the industry’s future.

While Vitaliano may be stepping back from his role at NMPF, his reflections and forecasts provide invaluable insights into the past, present, and future of dairy. As the industry navigates consolidation and policy evolution, it is the innovative spirit and strong community leadership that will guide its ongoing success.

To listen to the whole conservation between Vitaliano and Alan Bjerga, NMPF’s Executive Vice President of Communications and Industry Relations: Vitaliano’s Valedictory: Economist Shares Thoughts on Dairy’s Evolution - NMPF

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Seismic Change Ahead for Dairy

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 20:11:04 GMT

In the rapidly evolving landscape of agriculture, dairy farming finds itself at a pivotal moment. Randy Mooney, board chair of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), emphasized the increasing changes impacting dairy farmers today are more seismic than ever before at the recent joint annual meetings between United Dairy Industry Association, National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, and National Milk Producers Federation in Phoenix, Az.

Understanding the Impact of FMMO Rulings
While the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMO) rulings will affect dairy producers differently, depending on where they ship their milk, Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF, applauded the endless efforts by staff and industry leaders in this process that will provide a much-needed template to revamp and revise the process down the road. A vote by dairy farmers on this proposal will come early next year.

Gregg Doud

(NMPF)

Both leaders shared that these changes introduce new dynamics into the dairy industry, necessitating unprecedented levels of cooperation and coordination among stakeholders.

“Everything we do, the future is going to take a level of cooperation and coordination from all of us. And we’ve had that, but it’s going to take more than we’ve ever had,” Mooney, a dairy farmer near Rogersville, Mo., says. He went on to applaud dairy farmers for their resilience in the face of challenges such as the expiration of the farm bill, extreme weather events like recent hurricanes in the Southeast and unforeseen issues such as the H5N1 outbreak. Mooney acknowledged these factors create significant strains on farms, families and finances.

Revised Biosecurity Measures
NMPF’s FARM Executive Director Emily Yeiser Stepp shared with the audience that many practices already established have been serving dairy farms under H5N1.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives have developed and embraced a robust biosecurity program through the National Dairy FARM Program,” Emily Yeiser Stepp said. “This program has been adapted and adopted by dairy farms across the U.S. to prevent the spread of H5N1.”

Future Investments
Both leaders remarked on the significant investments being funneled into the industry to bolster dairy’s future. This growth is crucial, as the dairy sector prepares for the expansion of manufacturing plants.

“What’s going on in this country right now is you have 7 billion in new investment and new processing, moving this industry forward, making it bigger, and investing in your future,” Doud says.

Dairy farming remains an essential component of the global food supply chain, providing nourishment to many, even amid worldwide challenges. Mooney emphasizes the privilege and responsibility that come with being a part of this sector, portraying it as a service to humanity that transcends individual ambitions.

“I continue to be inspired by all of you and the work that you’re doing,” he says. “Amid great change and preparation for the future, we are still part of the greatest industry that there is.”