“Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law

President Trump signed his One Big Beautiful Bill Friday, keeping his July 4 deadline. The bill passed the House with a 218-to-214 margin. That’s after it was approved by the Senate with a 51-50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson said this legislation is “a game changer” and a victory for rural America. Ranking Member Angie Craig called the bill “a disgrace” that will leave farmers and rural communities behind.

Dairy provisions included in budget reconciliation bill

National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud said the budget reconciliation bill “creates several key opportunities for dairy.” U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO Krysta Harden cited the increased investment in trade promotion, saying it is “expanding opportunities for U.S. dairy exports in competitive global markets.” The new Supplemental Agricultural Trade Promotion Program provides $285 million annually in permanent mandatory funding. The bill renews the Dairy Margin Coverage program through 2031, updating DMC’s production history calculation to be based on the highest production year of 2021, 2022 or 2023, and extends the ability for dairy farmers to receive a 25% premium discount for locking in coverage for the duration of the bill. There’s mandatory funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct mandatory dairy processing cost surveys to provide the information necessary for future make allowance discussions.  It increases funding for animal health programs, including efforts to address H5N1 in dairy cattle. The new law also folds remaining Inflation Reduction Act funds into the farm bill baseline, which provides long-term funding for programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Trump addresses ag labor

Speaking at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, President Trump ticked through a long list of policy goals and past accomplishments, emphasizing a firm immigration policy. However, Trump said agriculture would see some exceptions. “If a farmer is willing to vouch for his people, in some ways we’re going to have to just say that we’re going to be good with it,” said Trump. “We don’t want to do it where we take all the workers off the farm.” Trump was joined by members of his cabinet at the event, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

“100% Legal Workforce” is the goal

In an appearance on CNBC, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the farm labor situation. Rollins said President Trump’s goal is a “100% legal workforce.” Rollins also said the H-2A visa program needs reform. In her words, H-2A is an important program, but “it is broken right now.”

Canada takes supply management off the negotiating table

The Canadian Parliament has passed legislation to protect Canada’s supply management system. This law would prohibit the government from making trade deals that weaken tariff rate quotas or increase import quotas on dairy, eggs, chicken and turkey products. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement is up for review a year from now, and the United States is expected to renew its opposition to Canada’s restrictive dairy import standards.

Brazil lifts whey protein concentrate import suspension

The Brazilian agriculture ministry has officially lifted its suspension of the U.S. dairy company, Agropur, from exporting whey protein concentrate powder to Brazil. On May 22, the ag ministry suspended Agropur due to lab results showing protein levels below 80%. After quick action by the Foreign Agricultural Service and the Agricultural Marketing Service to address the irregularities, Brazil agreed to lift the suspension less than three weeks after it was imposed. Last year, the U.S. exported $83 million of whey protein concentrate powder to Brazil.

Walz announces trade mission

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will lead a trade mission to Switzerland and Germany this November. With trade wars and global disruptions, Walz said Minnesota is working to strengthen its trade relationships and expand exports. Applications to join the business delegation must be submitted by mid-August.

Action sought for “dairy free” butter

The American Butter Institute is calling on the Food and Drug Administration to take prompt enforcement action against Country Crock. Country Crock is marketing a “dairy free” butter product, implying it is butter made without cow’s milk. The label also includes an image of a traditional red barn associated with dairy farms. In a letter to FDA leadership, the ABI said the product’s labeling conflicts with FDA regulations and disregards the Congressionally-established standards for the identification of butter.

Discrimination lawsuit filed

A Wisconsin dairy farmer is behind a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration. Adam Faust claims the government is discriminating against white farmers. The lawsuit cites the Dairy Margin Coverage program, where he is charged a $100 administrative fee, but that is waived for minority and female farmers. Faust’s USDA loans are guaranteed to 90% of the value, while minority farmers have a 95% guarantee. His manure storage system qualifies for a USDA conservation program with 75% of his costs eligible for reimbursement. Ninety percent of the same costs can be reimbursed for minority farmers. Faust claims these rules put him at a competitive disadvantage. Faust was part of a similar lawsuit in 2021 regarding the USDA loan forgiveness program.

General Mills-Lactalis USA deal completed

Lactalis USA finalized its acquisition of the General Mills U.S. yogurt business at the end of June. The acquired business will operate as a new division of Lactalis USDA called Midwest Yogurt and will be located in Minneapolis. The deal includes two manufacturing plants in Tennessee and Michigan. The U.S. yogurt business contributed $1.2 billion to General Mills fiscal 2025 net sales.

Department of Agriculture supports new farmers with infrastructure grants

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has awarded nearly $857,000 to 97 beginning farmers across 45 counties through a new grant program aimed at helping cover the cost of equipment and infrastructure. Demand for the Beginning Farmer Equipment and Infrastructure Grant far exceeded available funding, with 1,100 eligible applicants requesting a combined $18.6 million. Individual awards of up to $20,000 are being used for projects ranging from fencing and irrigation to tractor purchases and walk-in coolers. MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey says securing land and equipment are major barriers for new farmers, and this grant is designed to help remove those hurdles.

Minnesota native takes leadership role in Maryland

Effective Aug. 13, Katie Zenk will be the new executive director of the Maryland Food Center Authority. Zenk is a Danube, Minnesota, native who spent the past 12 years in Washington, D.C., in the private and public sectors. Zenk served as a senior advisor to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and was the deputy undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. She also served on the House Agriculture Committee staff and managed federal policy for Land O’Lakes.

Select Sires hires new communications manager

Patti Hurtgen is the new manager of communications for Select Sires Member Services. For the past 15 years, Hurtgen has been with Hoard’s Dairyman.

Trivia challenge

President Ronald Reagan declared National Ice Cream Day for the first time in 1984. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, what was the average alfalfa hay yield nationwide in 2024? 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.