Organic dairies challenge FMMOs

A coalition of organic dairy companies has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, challenging Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, Horizon Organic Dairy and Aurora Organic Dairy argue their required participation in Federal Orders is unconstitutional. Both conventional and organic fluid milk processors pay into a system designed to stabilize prices by pooling and redistributing the revenue throughout the industry. The Coalition for Organic Dairy Exemption says conventional processors see the benefit, but “almost none” of the funds are paid to organic processors. The coalition is seeking an exemption from the FMMO pooling provisions.

Dairy group backs administration’s lawfare effort

The American Dairy Coalition welcomes the Trump administration’s decision to address regulatory overreach, eminent domain and permitting issues. ADC cites the Environmental, Social and Governance demands imposed on dairy farmers. In a statement, ADC said the lawfare effort is designed to “challenge radical ESG demands being imposed on American dairy farmers by foreign-owned milk processors.”

Farm bill hinges on SNAP compromise

The clock is ticking for Congress as lawmakers work through a crowded legislative agenda before the August recess. Along with the national security and budget issues, agriculture remains on the list, including Farm Bill 2.0 and additional economic assistance for farmers. Russell Group President Randy Russell says the biggest obstacle remains the proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, specifically a provision requiring states with payment error rates above 6% to share more of the program’s costs. “There are 17 Republican states that have error rates above 6%,” said Russell. “I’m cautiously optimistic that some kind of a deal can be struck where there’ll be some modifications to that error rate provision, which would get the Democrats on board. That issue has to be addressed before they’ll vote to move a farm bill.” Russell also said lawmakers continue discussing another round of economic assistance for agriculture, including roughly $11 billion in additional aid for farmers.

Ag committee tours western Minnesota

Members of the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee were in farm country this past week. Stops included Riverview Dairy, University of Minnesota-Morris and Dorrich Dairy. Sen. Rob Kupec says those conversations are essential when developing agriculture policy; “I think it’s really important when you’re working on agriculture policy and legislation that it shouldn’t necessarily be done in St. Paul. We sign the final papers down there, but it should be done with input and ideas that come from meeting with farmers and meeting them on their land, going out into the field and getting prime examples of what they’re talking about.”

Innovation on display for Senate ag committee members

Sen. Torrey Westrom, who is the lead Republican on the Minnesota Senate Agriculture Committee, is impressed with the innovation that’s happening in the region. “The first milk processing plant that’s being built new in our state in over 50 years is well underway,” said Westrom. “We were able to tour that as an ag committee. This means more cows, more milk production, more jobs to process that product right here in Minnesota.” Westrom was referring to the Riverview operation, which is slated to begin operation in the fall of 2027. Ag committee members also saw a robotic dairy operation at Glenwood and autonomous weed control vehicles at the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris.

MDA seeks feedback on large dairies

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking public input on the socioeconomic impact of large dairy farms in the state. The information will be collected with two virtual meetings July 28 and through an online form. The agriculture department is taking this step after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency announced it would not require an environmental impact study for the proposed expansion of Riverview’s dairy operation at Morris.

Supply, demand estimate updated

According to the July USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, 2026 milk production will total 236.6 billion pounds. That’s 200 million pounds more than the previous report. For 2027, milk output is forecast to increase from this year. The Class III milk price forecast declined from the June report to $16.15 per hundredweight.

Dairy exports increase

USDA reports dairy exports in May totaled 574 million pounds, up 67.8 million pounds from one year ago. U.S. cheese exports rose year over year, up 21.1 million pounds. Butter exports are up 10.4 million pounds. Whole milk powder exports declined 1.3 million pounds. Dry whey exports increased 32 million pounds in May. Nonfat dry milk exports and skim milk powder combined dropped off 27.4 million pounds while whey protein concentrate rose 2.2 million pounds.

Land O’Lakes to expand Tulare facility

Land O’Lakes is investing in its Tulare, California, dairy processing facility to expand its production of high-value dairy protein. This move will enable the production of ultra-filtered milk. The current focus on protein and new health trends, including GLP-1 medications, is shifting consumer demand, which is part of the Land O’Lakes decision.

North Dakota dairy project faces legal challenge

The Riverview dairy project at Hillsboro, North Dakota, is facing a legal challenge from the Dakota Resource Council. The environmental group, Food and Water Watch, is representing DRC in this action. They claim the state did not provide an adequate review of Riverview’s environmental permit. Riverview attorneys argued the state went through a rational approach to the permitting process. The Herberg Dairy in Traill County is expected to be North Dakota’s largest dairy farm, with a total of 25,000 cows.

Excellent hay quality

Twin Valley, Minnesota, farmer Taylor Visser says this year’s hay crop is producing excellent quality forage, even if yields are running slightly below normal. Production is averaging about 2,500 pounds per acre compared to a typical 3,000 pounds, but Visser says quality has more than made up for it. Recent rains have kept the rest of the crop mix in excellent shape, heading into the second half of the growing season.

IDFA hires new political action committee director

The International Dairy Foods Association announced that Elizabeth Demorest has joined the organization as director of political action committee and political affairs. Most recently, Demorest was the associate director of political engagement for the American Academy of Dermatology Association.

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives adds Karney

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives named RJ Karney as its vice president and head of government affairs. Most recently, Karney was the senior director of public policy for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Before NASDA, he spent 16 years with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Agriculture educator awards presented

During the Minnesota Association of Agriculture Educators Summer Conference, Stephanie Wohlhuter of Martin County West was named the outstanding ag education teacher. Patric Pehrson of Nicollet earned the outstanding middle/secondary program, and Brent Roiger of South Central College received the outstanding post-secondary/adult program. The MAAE Outstanding Early Career Teacher Award belongs to Adam Manderfield of Jackson County Central. Steve Hinrichs of Plainview-Elgin-Millview is the outstanding teacher/mentor. Osakis’ Elaina Knott received the Teacher Turn the Key Award. Lyle Westrom of the University of Minnesota-Crookston was honored with the Visionary Award. Minnesota FFA Career Development and FFA Alumni Coordinator Natasha Mortenson was presented the Outstanding Service Award. Longtime Jackson County Central FFA advisor Jeff Voss took home the Lifetime Achievement Award. C&B Operations received the Business and Industry Award.

Trivia challenge

National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July. That answers our last trivia question. For this week’s trivia, how many animals are registered in the Holstein Association herd book? 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.