‘Dairy-free’ butter is a violation of federal standards

A new product from Country Crock is labeled as “dairy-free butter.” Chris Galen, senior vice president of the National Milk Producers Federation and executive director of the American Butter Institute, said this labeling violates federal standards. “Butter has rebounded, and things like margarines and plant-based spreads are in decline, so if you’re a manufacturer of those imitation butters, fake butters, what do you do? You decide to label yourself as something called dairy-free butter, which is a total oxymoron because you can’t have butter unless it comes from a dairy ingredient like cream, but this is a concern because we see these products in the marketplace.”

Farm security action plan outlined

The Trump administration has announced a new comprehensive National Farm Security Action Plan. This initiative is designed to help protect American farms from foreign threats. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the plan includes seven action steps. “Perhaps the most important, the first of the seven, is securing and protecting American farmland ownership, actively engaging in every level of government to take swift legislative and executive action to ban the purchase of American farmland by Chinese nationals and other foreign adversaries.”

USDA drops “socially disadvantaged” policy

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has officially ended the use of racial and gender preferences in U.S. Department of Agriculture programs unless explicitly required by Congress. The policy change is part of the Trump administration’s push to eliminate what it calls “leftover Biden discrimination.” The decision follows a court ruling in Strickland vs. USDA, where a federal judge barred the agency from using the term “socially disadvantaged” when distributing disaster aid. Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack defended the previous policies, saying they were designed to ensure fair access for all farmers and help stabilize rural communities.

CoBank warns of looming U.S. labor shortage

A new report from CoBank warns that the United States could face a significant labor shortage later this year. The decline in labor force participation, lower birth rates and a sharp drop in net migration are combining to shrink the available workforce and threaten economic growth. The report highlights that nearly 2.5 million working-age Americans have exited the labor force in the past eight months. This trend, coupled with ongoing retirements among baby boomers and fewer young people entering the workforce, poses serious challenges, especially in rural areas. CoBank is urging rural businesses to adopt more technology to offset the growing labor shortfall.

Ag trade negotiator nominated

President Trump has nominated Dr. Julie Callahan to serve as the chief agricultural negotiator in the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. Callahan is currently the assistant U.S. trade representative for agricultural affairs and commodity policy. Her previous experience includes time at USTR, focusing on ag trade issues with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Eastern Europe. Prior to joining USTR, Callahan spent time at the Food and Drug Administration and USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Earlier this month, 40 farm groups sent a letter to President Trump, urging him to fill this important position quickly. “The role of chief agricultural negotiator is critical to ensuring that American dairy farmers have a voice in trade negotiations,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation and a former USTR chief agricultural negotiator. “Dr. Callahan is the right choice. Her expertise and leadership in agricultural trade policy are second to none.”

Canada and New Zealand secure dairy deal

Canada and New Zealand have settled their dispute over dairy exports. With this agreement, Canada will make changes in the way it administers its tariff rate quotas for dairy products sold to New Zealand, and New Zealand is getting more access to the Canadian market. Canada’s supply management system and restrictions on U.S. dairy imports have been an ongoing talking point for the Trump administration.

USDA updates milk production numbers

In the July World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report, USDA increased 2025 milk production to 228.3 billion pounds. An increase in the dairy cow herd and increased milk per cow were cited as a reason. The outlook for 2026 was also raised from the prior report to 229.1 billion pounds. Exports for 2025 were raised based on growth in cheese and nonfat dry milk exports. Lower cheese prices offset higher whey prices to lower the Class III milk price forecast.

Rains boost tonnage but lower hay quality

Alfalfa has experienced tremendous growth due to the persistent rains this summer. WinField United Alfalfa and Forage Specialist Jeff Jackson says there are dairy operations that are already on the third cutting of green chop or silage. “When we get into these guys trying to do dry hay and these rain events, in some cases, they want to get their first cutting off, and maybe the second crop is a little struggle; the good thing is the tonnage is going to be good, but then we start questioning quality.”

Ice cream companies to phase out food dyes

The International Dairy Foods Association has announced the dairy industry’s commitment to eliminate artificial food dyes from ice cream by 2028. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. praised the voluntary pledge and support for the Make America Healthy Again initiative.

Midwest Dairy Accelerator promotes entrepreneurs

Four companies have been selected for the first-ever intensive 8-week virtual initiative to fast-track new dairy-forward food and beverage entrepreneurs. Midwest Dairy and VentureFuel are partnering on this project. The dairy products coming from these startup companies include a yogurt-based probiotic supplement and a gourmet frozen pudding. This program will culminate with a live pitch event in September. The winner will receive a $20,000 prize, and the runner-up receives $10,000.

Farm show entrepreneur passes

The man who revitalized Farmfest has died. Marlyn Buss was 88. The show was held in Lake Crystal from 1982-1989; in Austin from 1990-1994; and in Morgan starting in 1995. Buss also started Dakotafest in Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1996. In 1997, Buss sold both trade shows to Cygnus Farm Shows.

Minnesota represented among FFA star finalists

The National FFA Organization has announced the 16 finalists for the American star awards. Caldyn Huper of the United South Central FFA Chapter in Minnesota is an American star in agricultural placement finalist.

Trivia challenge

In 2024, the average alfalfa yield nationwide was 3.41 tons per acre. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, the word alfalfa comes from Arabic and Persian words with a special meaning. What is it? 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.