The Internationalist Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) both voiced support for the Securing Agriculture Workforce Act, aimed modernizing the H-2A temporary ag workers program. “The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act represents the most significant reform to the ag workforce we’ve seen in decades,” said NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud. “It is particularly critical for dairy farmers, who have been …

By the time Royce Larsen turned 12, he had never traveled farther than a three-hour drive from his family’s dairy ranch in rural Utah. Caring for cows was a demanding household chore requiring participation from the whole family. “ You get up at 4:30 [a.m.], milk, go to school, come back, milk. There’s never time to do anything else,” Larsen said. …

Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) joined Reps. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), and Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) in relaunching the Congressional Dairy Caucus. Central Valley dairy producers continue to struggle due to high input costs, competitive pressures from trade partners and shifting consumption patterns, and this caucus aims to work to elevate those concerns at the federal level and advocate for …

The CDFA Dairy Plus Program is now accepting applications from California dairy producers interested in implementing projects that improve manure management and support environmental sustainability on their operations. Funded through a partnership between the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), CDFA, and USDA, the program provides financial assistance for on-farm projects designed to reduce emissions and address key environmental challenges facing …

Dairy processors throughout the Pacific Coast are among the 128 total grant winners to date receiving investments aimed at strengthening the dairy processing industry’s resilience. The Pacific Coast Coalition—Dairy Business Innovation Initiative (PCC-DBII), hosted by California State University, Fresno, has awarded more than $13,000,000 in grant funding to dairy processors including local farmsteads in California, Oregon and Washington, along with …

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) have released statements supporting the Trump Administration’s recent guidance clarifying how dairy operations my use the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program when they can demonstrate a qualifying temporary or seasonal labor need under existing laws. “IDFA appreciates President Trump’s commitment to advancing a workforce solution that recognizes …

The U.S. dairy herd has reached its largest size in 30 years, but one critical subset of the herd — replacement heifers that represent the next generation of milk cows — remains historically low. The number of heifers available to enter the milking herd has fallen sharply, dropping to the lowest level since 1978. The decline comes as strong financial …

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board held a hearing on June 3 to consider approval of the Modesto Management Zone Implementation Plan (MZIP) and amendments to water quality permits for operations in the Modesto groundwater subbasin. This action applied to irrigated agriculture, food processors, municipal wastewater treatment plants, bovine feedlots, as well as dairy operations. At the end …

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) released a statement following the detection of New World screwworm in Texas last week. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud weighed in on the news stating: “The return of Wew World screwworm to the United States decades after its initial eradication is a disappointing milestone, but it’s also one for which dairy producers have …

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock …