Ag trade deficit record high

The U.S. agricultural trade deficit for the first six months of this year was a record high at $28.6 billion, up $10 billion from the same period last year. The U.S. has faced an agricultural trade deficit since 2022; that’s after decades with a trade surplus. The Trump administration’s tariff strategy is designed to address unfair trade practices by other countries.

DMC premiums due

The Farm Service Agency is reportedly sending letters to farmers enrolled in the Dairy Margin Coverage program for 2025. Due to higher margins this year, no DMC payments were issued. Dairy farmers often choose to have their premiums deducted from DMC payments, but those premiums were not collected this year without DMC payments. Those premiums must be paid by Sept. 1 to remain eligible for the DMC program in the future.

Legal challenge advances against attorney general

The Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative can continue their lawsuit against Attorney General Josh Kaul. Four years ago, Kaul signed an agreement with the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center at New York University to serve as Wisconsin’s special environmental prosecutor. A judge in Calumet County ruled the dairy groups have the legal right to contest government action leading to what is believed to be an illegal expenditure of state funds.

Emissions reporting exemption stands

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that livestock producers cannot be forced to file federal reports about emissions under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act. This ruling upholds a reporting exemption issued by the Environmental Protection Agency six years ago.

More time needed for public release of MAHA report

The executive order signed by President Trump in February required the Make America Healthy Again commission to deliver its report to the White House Aug. 12. However, an administration spokesperson said it will be a little longer before the report is released to the public. More time is reportedly needed to coordinate officials’ schedules before releasing the MAHA report. The report is expected to have a significant impact on farm and food policy.

Baldwin reintroduces Dairy PRIDE bill

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin has reintroduced her Dairy PRIDE Act, which would prevent non-dairy products from using traditional dairy terms like milk, cheese or yogurt. Baldwin made a stop at Rosenholm Dairy in Cochrane to promote the proposal. Baldwin said dairy farmers are facing enough headwinds without plant-based alternative products being mislabeled as dairy products.

USDEC selects COO

Allison Thomas is the new chief operating officer for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Thomas recently served as deputy administrator for trade policy and geographic affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

SDSU to honor legends, leaders

Six individuals have been selected for the 2025 Class of Distinguished Alumni by the South Dakota State University Alumni Association. Sheryl Meshke is the lone agriculture honoree. Meshke is the president and CEO of Associated Milk Producers Inc. Meshke, who is a 1988 SDSU graduate, is the first female to lead a major U.S. dairy cooperative. The award presentation will be during SDSU Hobo Day Weekend, Oct. 10-11.

Wisconsin ag educators honor Costello

The Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators has named Tari Costello as the 2025 WAAE Honored Educator. Costello spent 35 years in the classroom as an agriculture teacher, with most of that time at Waupun High School. Costello is now the executive director of the Wisconsin FFA Alumni and Supporters.

AGCO-Ralco collaboration

AGCO Corporation and Ralco Agriculture, through its Agnition brand, have formed a strategic partnership that is focusing on hay preservation. The system pairs AGCO’s HayBoss DryMax granular applicator with the BaleMax hay preservative powered by Ralco’s Microbial Catalyst technology. Ralco’s hay preservative has been available for years, but consistent and controlled application was an issue due to limitations with manual application. The HayBoss DryMax is the first fully automatic machine-operated granular application.

DFA acquires Hispanic cheese manufacturer

Dairy Farmers of America Inc. has acquired W&W Dairy in Monroe, Wisconsin. This facility specializes in traditional Hispanic cheeses, like cotija and queso fresco. The Hispanic cheese market is the fastest growing cheese category in the U.S. DFA’s acquisition is seen as an opportunity to expand its focus on this category.

America’s dairyland is a leader in specialty cheeses

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, more than half of the country’s specialty cheese is produced in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is ranked No. 1 nationwide for the production of feta, parmesan, provolone, muenster and Romano specialty cheeses. The state is ranked second nationwide in Hispanic-style and Mozzarella cheeses.

Recognized for dairy excellence

Team Emmi Roth of Monroe has been named the Wisconsin State Fair grand master cheesemaker. Grand champion dairy products were also recognized. The grand champion butter award went to Weyanuwega Cheese of Sheboygan. Klondike Cheese of Monroe produced the grand champion sour cream and grand champion yogurt. Weber’s Farm Store of Marshfield was honored as grand champion for milk. The Creamy Pig of Grafton was recognized with the grand champion custard.

Deere wins access to competitor info

A federal court in Illinois is giving John Deere access to confidential business information from CNH Industrial, Kubota and AGCO. This information was acquired by the Federal Trade Commission in its investigation into the right-to-repair lawsuit. The court said giving the FTC access to this confidential information, but not allowing Deere to have access, would put John Deere at a “fundamental disadvantage” in this litigation.

Trivia challenge

Louis Pasteur is the scientist credited with developing the process of pasteurization. That answers our last trivia question. McDonald’s sells more cheeseburgers than any other fast-food restaurant. For this week’s trivia, what fast-food chain is second on that list? We’ll have the answer in our next edition of the Dairy Star.

Don Wick is owner/broadcaster for the Red River Farm Network of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wick has been recognized as the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Don and his wife, Kolleen, have two sons, Tony and Sam, and five grandchildren, Aiden, Piper, Adrienne, Aurora and Sterling.