Speakers highlight ‘Goodness of Dairy’ at Ingredients Summit

February 14, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. — During this week’s Global Ingredients Summit, held here Feb. 10-12 and hosted by the American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), panelists from ADPI, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Arizona State University touted “The Goodness of Dairy” and its role in health and wellness during a session Wednesday moderated by Kimberlee J. (KJ) Burrington, vice president of technical development at ADPI.

Stephanie Clark, ADPI manager of academic engagement, noted that self-reported obesity among U.S. adults continues to rise, and overweight and obesity are major risk factors for chronic diseases and mortality, such as degenerative joint disease, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer and more.

Looking at dietary guidance past and present, Clark noted that in the 1990s, USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid recommended three to five servings of dairy per day. At that time, only 26% of the population met the recommended number of servings, and obesity increased from 12% to 23% between 1990 and 2005.

Meanwhile, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consumption of fat-free and lowfat milk, yogurt and cheese and/or lactose-free versions of fortified soy beverages and yogurt as alternatives. However, obesity rates are at their highest in history, affecting more than 40% of U.S. adults.

While current dietary guidance touts mostly fat-free and lowfat dairy consumption, Clark noted that lowfat or fat-free dairy products do not consistently improve health risk factors compared to whole fat dairy. She added that regardless of total fat and saturated fat content, total dairy consumption has been associated with lower incidence of non-communicable diseases.

Milk is a natural source of 13 essential nutrients, including protein, calcium and others, but USDA reports that people do not get enough of these nutrients of public health concern, Clark noted.

At the same time, while there is a general belief that saturated fat causes CVD — and main sources of saturated fat include animal products — many studies have shown that saturated fat is not significantly associated with CVD risk, and dairy fats especially are shown to contribute positively to human health, she added.

Recent studies have shown an association between whole milk intake and lower obesity, Clark noted. Particularly when studying this in children, research shows that those who consumed whole versus reduced-fat milk had 16% lower odds of being overweight, 18% lower odds of obesity and a lower body mass index score for every 1% in milk fat consumed, she said.

Delving deeper into dairy ingredients, Gulustan Ozturk, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science at UW-Madison, summarized results of a study on next-generation dairy foods such as milk bioactives as another avenue for addressing obesity rates, all toward a broader vision of personalized nutrition using components from milk.

Ozturk noted milk bioactives selectively eliminate pathogens, improve the growth of desirable gut bacteria and reduce inflammatory/metabolic diseases.

One such source of bioactives is whey protein phosholipid concentrate (WPPC), which is derived from whey protein concentrate, along with whey protein isolate (WPI), through microfiltration. As the amount of WPI increases, the amount of WPPC also will increase, providing the industry with an opportunity to utilize the product, Ozturk noted.

WPPC has unique lipid properties, as phospholipids accounted for 20% of the total lipid pool in WPPC in a recent case study, she said. While research is ongoing, initial results are promising for the potential of these products to address health and wellness, she added.

Also during the session, Stavros A. Kavouras, assistant dean and professor at the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, discussed post-exercise rehydration and milk’s role as an effective post-exercise rehydration drink.

He noted research shows milk permeate seems to provide a greater hydrating capacity when compared with other commercially available drinks.

Concluding on Wednesday, ADPI’s newest event combined two of its signature technical conferences — the Global Cheese Technology Forum and the Dairy Ingredients Technical Symposium — into one premier event, providing attendees with the latest research and technology development information for cheese, milk and whey ingredients all in one conference.

For more information, visit https://adpi.glueup.com/event/2025-global-ingredients-summit-124146/home.html.

CMN

Kennedy, Rollins confirmed by U.S. Senate to lead HHS, USDA

February 14, 2025

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Brooke Rollins as secretary of USDA.

Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), expressed support for Kennedy’s confirmation.

“On behalf our nation’s dairy supply chain, IDFA congratulates Mr. Kennedy on his confirmation as U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services. We look forward to working with Mr. Kennedy to advance the health of Americans by encouraging consumption of fresh, wholesome and nutritious dairy foods and protecting our nation’s consumers from foodborne illnesses,” Dykes says. “For too long, inflexible, burdensome regulations have stifled innovation and production efficiencies for dairy processors, while outdated nutrition policies have discouraged Americans from consuming milk, yogurt, cheese and other wholesome dairy products that contribute essential nutrients — including calcium, potassium, vitamin D and protein — to our diets. America’s dairy industry stands ready to support Mr. Kennedy’s efforts to combat chronic disease, reduce foodborne illnesses and ensure all Americans have access to safe and affordable dairy nutrition.”

IDFA also congratulated Rollins on her confirmation.

“We’re confident she will be a strong voice for the U.S. food and agriculture industry across the federal government. As USDA navigates a dynamic trade environment, we need Secretary Rollins’ leadership to expand U.S. dairy exports, support a coordinated response to animal disease outbreaks and preserve dairy’s critical place in federal nutrition programs, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) milk and dairy nutrition incentives, WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) and school meals. IDFA looks forward to working with Secretary Rollins at USDA to strengthen Americans’ dietary health, support farmers and the entire dairy supply chain in the production of wholesome food, and build a regulatory environment that promotes innovation, growth and food safety. These efforts will enable our industry to continue leading the world in the production of high-quality, nutritious dairy foods.”

Other organization including the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) also voiced their support for Rollins.

“Rollins’ policy crafting experience and passion for opportunities for agriculture will contribute tangible impacts for American farmers and ranchers and people around the globe who enjoy U.S. food products,” says NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “NASDA is enthusiastic to work with the secretary on our priorities including increasing economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food producers, advancing a new farm bill, improving Americans’ access to nutrient-dense foods and ensuring American agriculture can continue to provide the most secure, affordable and nutritious food supply in the world.”

As co-regulators with the federal government on agricultural, food and environmental policies, NASDA says it will work with the secretary to ensure agriculture leads the way toward a healthy and resilient world.

“Having grown up on a family farm, and still raising livestock to this day, Secretary Rollins knows how important exports are to the economic well-being of American farmers and food manufacturers. This is especially true for the U.S. dairy industry, which exported nearly $8.3 billion worth of products in 2024,” says Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “We look forward to working with Secretary Rollins and her team at USDA to support U.S. dairy exporters in the global marketplace and continue our proud tradition of supplying the world with affordable, sustainably sourced, nutritious and high-quality dairy products.”

CMN

Studies provide more insight on bird flu spread, prevention

February 14, 2025

WASHINGTON — This week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report published the results of a study on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) infections among veterinarians who treated cattle.

Published in the Feb. 13 issue, the study involved 150 U.S. bovine veterinary practitioners who were serologially tested for antibodies to recent HPAI A(H5) virus infection in September 2024. Three of these survey participants were found to have antibodies to HPAI A(H5), suggestive of recent HPAI A(H5) infection, though none worked with dairy cattle with known or suspected HPAI A(H5) virus infection.

The authors say findings suggest that there might be HPAI A(H5) virus-infected dairy cattle in states where infection in dairy cattle has not yet been identified, highlighting the importance of rapid identification of infected dairy cattle through herd and bulk milk testing as recently announced by USDA. Continued systematic surveillance of livestock and milk could aid in appropriate occupational hazard assessment.

Since this survey was conducted, the HPAI A(H5) outbreak has expanded to include 67 confirmed human cases, including 40 with cattle exposure.

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced Wednesday that Pennsylvania’s dairy industry has reached a critical “stage four” milestone granting HPAI-free status in USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy, making Pennsylvania the first major U.S. dairy-producing state to achieve this status. The designation indicates that Pennsylvania’s milk supply has been tested adequately to rule out the presence of the virus in the state’s dairy cattle.

Since Pennsylvania began to require testing of bulk milk samples in late November 2024, state labs have tested more than 22,000 samples, representing nearly 100% of the state’s 4,784 dairy farms. Pennsylvania was one of the first states to implement a voluntary program for testing lactating dairy cattle. No infections in dairy cattle or humans have been detected in Pennsylvania to date.

Also this week, University of California, Davis, announced a new study, published in The Journal of Dairy Science, that shows how acidification can kill the virus that causes bird flu in waste milk, providing dairy farmers an affordable, easy-to-use alternative to pasteurization.

“There can be quite significant cost to have pasteurization as an option on the farm,” says co-corresponding author and veterinary epidemiologist Richard Van Vleck Pereira with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “In our laboratory tests, we found that acidifying milk to a pH of 4.1 to 4.2 with citric acid effectively deactivates the virus.”

Pereira notes that citric acid is inexpensive, and acidified waste milk also is safe to be used to feed pre-weaned calves. The acidification process takes only six hours to fully kill the virus and doesn’t require refrigeration, further reducing costs and increasing safety of farm workers handling milk.

The UC Davis research team next will conduct on-farm testing of milk acidification in waste milk containing the HPAI virus. They will develop practical guidelines for farmers to implement acidification of waste milk as a protocol on the farm.

CMN

Tariffs on Mexico, Canada on pause; China tariffs commence

February 7, 2025

WASHINGTON — On Saturday, Feb. 1, President Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China, as he had previously promised. This included a 25% additional tariff on imports form Mexico and Canada, with a lower 10% tariff on energy resources from Canada, as well as a 10% additional tariff on imports from China. Trump cited the “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl,” as the reason for imposing these tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

On Monday, the White House announced progress on the Northern and Southern borders and that the tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada, which would have taken effect Tuesday, would be paused for 30 days following agreements with the two countries. Only the 10% tariffs on Chinese goods took effect Tuesday, and China has promised to impose retaliatory tariffs.

The Cheese Importers Association of America (CIAA) yesterday released a joint statement with the International Cheese Council of Canada about the importance of bilateral trade between these two countries.

“Free trade between the U.S. and Canada benefits consumers, businesses and farmers, and is an important part of the long-standing and deep partnership between our two countries. With increased attention to inflation of food and other consumer goods, fair and equitable trade benefits consumers’ pocketbooks in ways that cannot be replicated in other areas of the economy,” the statement says.

The groups add that Canada is one of the leading markets for U.S. dairy exports, totaling $954.0 million from January-October 2024. Meanwhile, Canada also is one of the leading exporters of cheese into the United States, with exports totaling $345.6 million.

“Obstructing this trade would have detrimental effects on farmers, businesses and consumers both economically and by limiting the diversity of high-quality products,” the statement says. “It is our mutual hope that the U.S. and Canadian governments reach a fair resolution to the issues between our countries and remove the specter of damaging tariffs that would raise costs on all consumers.”

CIAA says it also has been in contact with Cámara Nacional de Industriales de la Leche de México, the Mexican representative of the national milk industry, regarding a similar statement.

If tariffs do kick in after 30 days, the extra cost likely will be passed at least partly on to the consumer, says David Lennarz, president of Registrar Corp., a Virginia-based business that works with food importers and distributors on FDA requirements and sourcing.

“Importers will have to be willing and able to bear some of that cost or pass it on to the consumer. In most cases, it will be a combination,” Lennarz says. “Ultimately, if they have to increase prices, it will trickle up the supply chain to retailers, and at retail we will see higher prices.”

Diversifying the supply chain might also be prudent for importers who believe they will be impacted by tariffs, he adds.

“For forward-thinking companies, it’s time to take out their COVID playbook, dust it off and think about your supply chain,” Lennarz says. “If the tariffs are very targeted, finding suppliers in other countries is going to be important. During COVID, where the supply chain was difficult, nimble companies could shift. Maybe it wasn’t a product price point that they could normally get, but that’s something companies will have to be prepared for, to look at other sources.”

However, Lennarz does not believe U.S. importers will completely lose access to products even if the 25% tariffs eventually are implemented.

“No one overseas is going to be happy with tariffs, but they also are not happy if they don’t have the largest market in the world for customers,” he says. “Ultimately, the importer bears the cost, but they might say, ‘if you want me to continue buying, you cover half of it.’ I think the flow of trade will continue but with tighter margins to those in the industry.”

The International Dairy Foods Association has alerted its members that, before the 30-day pause, Canada had proposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. dairy products, including ice cream mixes, animal feeds, milk protein substances, casein, whey protein concentrate and non-powdered whey.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) notes that Mexico, Canada and China are the United States’ largest dairy export markets, collectively accounting for more than half of U.S. exports by value each year.

“Past trade disruptions have shown the risks of instability,” USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden says. “China’s retaliatory tariffs alone resulted in an estimated $2.6 billion in lost dairy farm revenues from 2019 to 2021.

“As the administration works to address the legitimate concerns raised by President Trump, we encourage the administration to draw on the types of tools President Trump wielded so successfully when negotiating USMCA — bringing everyone to the table and working out a solution that minimizes unintended consequences for farmers, rural manufacturers and consumers.”

CMN

Dairy exports down 0.4%, but cheese exports up 17% in ’24

February 7, 2025

WASHINGTON — U.S. dairy exports for 2024 totaled 2.23 million metric tons milk solids equivalent (MSE), down 0.4% from 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Wednesday. Geographical and product-by-product performance was mixed against a backdrop of heightened competition and tight U.S. milk powder supplies, according to the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

U.S. dairy export value in 2024 rose 2% to $8.297 billion, the second-highest only to $9.655 billion in 2022, USDEC reports.

“Despite the small (volume) decline, we saw many positive signs in the results that bode well for the future,” says Krysta Harden, president and CEO, USDEC. “U.S. suppliers posted record-high cheese exports, strengthened their presence across Latin America, lifted U.S. dairy export value and demonstrated their commitment to global markets by persevering in the face of significant challenges.”

USDEC notes those challenges included a third straight year of Chinese demand contraction, intensified competition from Oceania as suppliers reworked their products mix to target markets outside of China, and reduced U.S. milk powder production that limited the U.S. presence in nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) markets.

U.S. cheese exports in 2024 grew 17% to an all-time high of 508,808 metric tons, the first time cheese exports ever topped 500,000 metric tons (and the first time they crossed 1 billion pounds) in a year, USDEC says.

“With more than 450,000 metric tons of U.S. cheese production coming online between 2023 and 2026, U.S. cheese exports are ramping up at a perfect time,” Harden says. “The United States is already the No. 1 cheese supplier to the world, and we know we can strengthen our position in the years ahead.”

A key market for that cheese as well as U.S. dairy ingredients will be Latin America, where USDEC notes U.S. suppliers recorded their best year ever in 2024. U.S. suppliers set records in several key markets, including Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean, which combined accounted for more than 60,000 metric tons in new U.S. cheese export volume in 2024.

“We have a built-in geographic advantage in serving the region,” says Harden. “U.S. suppliers and USDEC have invested the time and resources to build trade relationships, cater to regional demands and prove our commitment to the market. And we continue to work hand in hand with stakeholders in the local industry to grow dairy consumption for the mutual benefit of dairy farmers and processors on all sides.”

Additionally, in 2025, U.S. suppliers will gain the added advantage of the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) reaching full implementation, USDEC says.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) says the U.S. dairy industry is poised to establish a new “golden age” of U.S. dairy trade.

“The U.S. dairy industry is ready to capitalize on a renewed trade agenda in 2025,” says Michael Dykes, president and CEO, IDFA. “Consumers in the United States and around the world continue to demand more U.S. dairy because we provide an assortment of delicious, nutritious and affordable dairy products. From award-winning cheeses, to high-value whey ingredients and milk powders used to make life-saving products for children and adults, to safe and nutritious ESL (extended-shelf-life) milk, U.S. dairy is known throughout the world for quality and reliability.”

As for challenges, China’s reduced dairy import appetite directly and indirectly weighed on U.S. dairy exports in 2024, USDEC says. U.S. dairy shipments to China fell by 9% compared to the previous year. In addition, decreased Chinese purchasing heightened competition in third markets from suppliers like New Zealand looking to find alternative markets to China.

USDEC notes U.S. suppliers felt the effect in NDM/SMP and lactose. U.S. lactose exports fell 9% in 2024 or by 39,304 metric tons, almost all due to China. U.S. lactose shipments to China dropped 27% (-35,993 metric tons).

The 2024 decline in U.S. NDM/SMP exports had multiple causes, and one of them was increased competition from New Zealand, USDEC reports. New Zealand channeled more raw milk into SMP production as Chinese whole milk powder (WMP) demand waned, successfully targeting U.S. NDM/SMP markets like Southeast Asia. U.S. NDM/SMP export volume fell 8% (-65,919 metric tons) in 2024.

“There will always be challenges to U.S. dairy exports. One of USDEC’s jobs is to facilitate trade and help U.S. suppliers overcome those challenges,” says Harden. “U.S. dairy’s success in international markets is testament to the ever-growing U.S. reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality, nutritious dairy products.”

Dykes stresses the importance of creating fairness and opportunities through U.S. trade agreements and policy to help support dairy exports.

“Our industry is poised to become the world’s leading supplier of dairy products thanks to the resilience and innovation of the American dairy industry. To do that, we need a trade agenda that prioritizes market access and ensures a level playing field,” he says. “For too long, our exports to Canada have yet to fulfill the promises of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement because Canadian policies continue to prevent American exporters from filling their tariff-rate quotas. Demand remains soft in key markets such as China and Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, illustrating the need for a strategic approach to trade with markets in the Asia Pacific region. Overall, U.S. dairy exports are performing well, but we can do more. With new trade agreements that remove obstacles and increase market access, we wouldn’t just break records ­— we would redefine the global dairy landscape for decades to come.”

CMN

Cheese production in December, 2024 slightly down from year ago

February 7, 2025

WASHINGTON — December 2024 U.S. cheese production, excluding cottage cheese, totaled 1.200 billion pounds, down 0.7% from December 2023, according to data released this week by USDA’s Natural Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). (All figures are rounded. Please see CMN’s Dairy Production chart.)

December cheese production was up 4.0% from the 1.154 billion pounds produced in November.

Preliminary cumulative cheese production for 2024 totaled 14.096 billion pounds, down 0.8% from 2023’s total.

Italian-type cheese production in December totaled 523.2 million pounds, up 3.1% from December 2023. Production of Mozzarella, the largest component of Italian-type cheese production, totaled 417.0 million pounds in December, up 3.9% from a year earlier.

American-type cheese production in December totaled 470.2 million pounds, down 3.9% from December 2023. Production of Cheddar, the largest component of American-type cheese, totaled 317.3 million pounds, down 6.1% from December 2023.

Wisconsin was the leading cheese-producing state with 303.9 million pounds produced in December, up 1.8% from December 2023. California followed with 203.7 million pounds produced in December, down 2.3% from a year earlier.

U.S. production of butter totaled 198.1 million pounds in December, up 2.3% from December 2023. December butter production was up 13.3% from November’s 174.8 million pounds.

CMN

IDFA, Ever.Ag release State of AI in Dairy report for first time

January 31, 2025

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — During the International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) annual Dairy Forum, held this week in San Antonio, Texas, IDFA and Ever.Ag announced the release of the first ever State of AI in the Dairy Industry report, featuring insights from conversations between dairy leaders and global technologists from the 2024 DairyTech conference, held in October by IDFA and Ever.Ag.

The new report underscores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across the dairy industry. From improving operational efficiency to enabling sustainability and fostering innovation, AI is poised to redefine how dairy businesses operate and compete. However, the dairy industry is in the early stages of exploring AI, with much of the focus being placed on good governance and return on investment. Industry professionals are aware of the competitive advantages that AI tools can offer, and most are seeking real-world solutions to implement these applications.

Notably, the report itself was developed with the support of AI. IDFA utilized AI-based note takers during the 2024 DairyTech conference to record remarks made during four main-stage panel discussions and 14 breakout sessions among conference attendees. These summaries then were edited by hand to extract relevant points and add organization, then run through additional AI-based tools to create a summary and narrative text. The final text then was checked for accuracy and lightly edited.

The report notes there is a clear desire among professionals for practical guidance on how to incorporate AI, especially when it comes to tools and systems for analyzing data. However, the information available on AI often is overwhelming, leaving many without actionable steps to move forward. Despite the challenges that come with implementing such significant change, there is a strong interest in the potential benefits that AI could bring to various sectors of the industry, including purchasing, warehousing and operations. Security and control over data were concerns, with some suggesting that AI initiatives should begin on a small scale, gradually expanding as they prove successful.

Conference speakers and attendees identified industry collaboration and shared goals as critical elements for optimizing operations and driving global growth for the dairy industry. Early planning and a mutual understanding of each organization’s needs and expectations are seen as fundamental to creating a pathway for success. In the United States alone, more than $8 billion has been invested in new processing capacity in recent years. Shared investment and collaboration in AI initiatives may offer a way to achieve common goals and increase the likelihood of success.

AI adoption is not without obstacles, the report notes. Many dairy businesses rely on outdated software, and costs for data collection tools can be a significant barrier to effective data integration. Resistance to new technologies, concerns about job displacement and data privacy issues further complicate adoption. Addressing these challenges requires clear communication, targeted education and a commitment to change management.

For dairy businesses to fully embrace AI, DairyTech attendees recommended the following:

• Enhance data readiness: Assess current data practices, clean and centralize data, and ensure readiness for AI analysis.

• Leverage expertise: Collaborate with data scientists and AI providers to identify and implement impactful solutions.

• Educate and engage: Develop training programs to ease resistance and emphasize the value of AI tools in reducing workloads and enabling strategic tasks. Allow teams to suggest specific problems or inefficiencies within their processes that AI could potentially address.

• Start with quick wins: Focus on high-impact applications, such as inventory optimization and predictive analytics, to build confidence and demonstrate return on investment.

• Define metrics: Establish KPIs (key performance indicators) and benchmarks to measure the success of AI implementations and ensure ongoing improvements.

• Foster collaboration: Encourage data-sharing initiatives to enhance efficiency and innovation across the industry.

AI represents a game-changing opportunity for the dairy industry, enabling businesses to enhance efficiency, sustainability and innovation. With the right strategies, leadership and collaboration, the dairy sector can unlock AI’s full potential to drive long-term growth and resilience, the report says.

To read the full report, visit www.idfa.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/IDFA-2025-State-of-AI-in-Dairy-Report.pdf.

CMN

Federal funding freeze halted by judge as legality questioned

January 31, 2025

WASHINGTON — Executive orders issued over the last week by President Trump have raised some questions over funding programs, food safety, and human and animal health.

A temporary pause in federal grant, loan and other financial assistance programs was set to take effect Tuesday, before a federal judge blocked the order until at least Feb. 3. One lawsuit had been filed Tuesday by nonprofit, health and small business groups that receive federal grants, and another by 22 states asking to stop the funding freeze, arguing that the president cannot decide to unilaterally override laws governing federal spending and this policy unconstitutionally overrides Congress’s power to decide how federal funds are spent.

Several lawmakers expressed the uncertainty caused by the vaguely-worded order.

“At a time when rural America is already dealing with the uncertainty of proposed tariffs, workforce issues, input costs and the recent spread of avian flu, the last thing our rural constituents need right now is more chaos and confusion,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said on Tuesday. “This proposed freeze could affect everything from rural hospitals to farm loans to crop insurance and biofuels to animal disease prevention to conservation and nutrition programs. Our farmers and ranchers and rural constituents work hard and they need certainty, not chaos, from this administration.”

The White House clarified later Tuesday that the pause on federal grants was only applicable to certain programs, projects and activities implicated by the president’s executive orders, such as those involving DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), climate change, foreign aid and immigration. Benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid and funds for businesses and farmers would be allowed to continue.

On Wednesday, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) rescinded the memo that had ordered this pause. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed in a statement on X that the rescission was only of the OMB memo to “end any confusion created by the court’s injunction” but not a rescission of the federal funding freeze.

The president’s executive orders on federal funding “remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented,” her statement added.

Also on Tuesday, Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Dorothy A. Fink issued an immediate pause through Feb. 1 on issuing documents and public communications until they can be reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee.

“As the new administration considers its plan for managing the federal policy and public communications processes, it is important that the president’s appointees and designees have the opportunity to review and approve any regulations, guidance documents and other public documents and communications (including social media),” Fink said in a letter to heads of operating and staff divisions.

She asked that they refrain from sending documents for publication in the Federal Register, refrain from publicly issuing any document or communication, and refrain from participating in any public speaking engagement until these communications and materials have been reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee.

In response to this action, 10 Democratic U.S. senators introduced a resolution calling for uninterrupted health warning services for Americans.

“Halting alerts about deadly disease outbreaks or food contamination serves no one,” says Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., one of the resolution’s sponsors. “Just last year, 10 people died after a Listeria outbreak at a Boar’s Head facility — a number that might have been even higher if public agencies hadn’t been allowed to warn the public. Even in a time of deep political difference, we ought to agree that preventing the spread of deadly disease is a wise use of taxpayer dollars.”

Last Friday, President Trump removed 18 inspectors general from their posts, including longtime USDA Inspector General Phyllis K. Fong, who was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002.

Prominent food safety lawyer Bill Marler noted in a post on his blog over the weekend that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of USDA investigates allegations of misconduct, fraud and other violations involving the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The OIG also reviews legislation and regulations and makes recommendations to Congress and the secretary of agriculture.

Ranking members of the House Agriculture and several other committees last Saturday sent a letter to President Trump condemning this purge of independent inspectors general, saying it appears to have violated federal law designed to protect their work from political interference and intimidation.

“We write to express our grave concern about your recent attempt to unlawfully and arbitrarily remove more than a dozen independent, nonpartisan inspectors general without notice to Congress or the public and in the dead of night. Your actions violate the law, attack our democracy and undermine the safety of the American people,” they wrote.

This week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Ranking Member Dick Durbin, D-Ill., also wrote a letter requesting President Trump provide the lawfully-required substantive rationale behind his decision to dismiss these 18 inspectors general. The senators also are asking the president to share the names of each official who will serve in an acting capacity and are urging him to quickly nominate qualified, nonpartisan individuals to permanently fill the current vacancies.

The senators note that inspectors general are nonpartisan watchdogs responsible for identifying and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse at federal agencies and serve at the president’s disposal. However, a Grassley-authored amendment signed into law as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act requires the president to provide written, detailed communication informing Congress of the president’s decision to dismiss or transfer an inspector general at least 30 days before taking action to do so.

“While IGs aren’t immune from committing acts requiring their removal, and they can be removed by the president, the law must be followed. The communication to Congress must contain more than just broad and vague statements; rather, it must include sufficient facts and details to assure Congress and the public that the termination is due to real concerns about the inspector general’s ability to carry out their mission,” the senators wrote.

“This is a matter of public and congressional accountability and ensuring the public’s confidence in the inspector general community, a sentiment shared more broadly by other members of Congress,” the senators continued. “IGs are critical to rooting out waste, fraud, abuse and misconduct within the executive branch bureaucracy, which you have publicly made clear you are also intent on doing.”

CMN

December, full-year 2024 U.S. milk production slightly down

January 31, 2025

WASHINGTON — Milk production in the 24 major milk-producing states in December totaled 18.00 billion pounds, down 0.4% from December 2023’s 18.06 billion pounds, according to data released last week by USDA’s National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). For the entire United States, December milk production was estimated at 18.75 billion pounds, down 0.5% from December 2023’s 18.83 billion pounds. (All figures are rounded. Please see CMN’s Milk Production chart.)

For the full-year 2024, the preliminary annual milk production in the 24 major milk-producing states totaled 216.73 billion pounds, down less than half a percent from 2023’s full-year total of 216.89 billion pounds.

NASS reports November’s revised production for the 24 major states totaled 17.27 billion pounds, up 89 million pounds or 0.5% from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

December production per cow in the 24 major states averaged 2,020 pounds, down 11 pounds from December 2023 and up 84 pounds from November. For the entire United States, production per cow in December is estimated at 2,005 pounds, down 10 pounds from December 2023 and up 84 pounds from November.

NASS reports the number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major states was 8.91 million head in December, up 17,000 head from December 2023 and down 8,000 head from November. In the entire United States, there were an estimated 9.35 million milk cows in December, up 3,000 cows from December 2023 and down 9,000 cows from November.

California led the nation’s milk production in December with 3.21 billion pounds of milk, down 6.8% from December 2023.

Wisconsin followed with 2.69 billion pounds of milk produced in December, up 0.1% from December 2023.

CMN

Today's Cheese Spot Trading
Feb. 20, 2025

Barrels: $1.7850 (-2 1/4)
Blocks: $1.9000 (+1/4)

Click here for more market activity

Producers know how to make milk, but this may be biggest challenge yet

Colin Kadis, Ever.Ag

Advancing Paneer production: New technology delivers on efficiency

Andreas Charalambous, Agathangelou

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