Panel discussion spotlights DEIA efforts, new regulations

April 18, 2025

By Alyssa Mitchell

MADISON, Wis. — Recent political discourse and executive orders addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) efforts in businesses’ hiring practices have left many companies uncertain about which initiatives or practices are still permissible and how they should move forward when looking to expand their workforce. In a session Thursday at CheeseCon, held this week in Madison,

Wisconsin, a panel of legal and dairy industry experts shared how their companies are interpreting these regulations and how they are moving forward with efforts to foster an inclusive environment in the dairy industry.

Moderated by Rebekah Sweeney, senior director of programs and policy at the Wisconsin Cheese Makers
Association (WCMA) — which hosts CheeseCon along with the Center for Dairy Research — the panel featured insights from Farrah Rifelj, sub-practice leader, affirmative action, for Michael Best & Friedrich LLP; Jose Quijada, senior director of digital solutions at Ecolab; and Allison Bolet Cafaro, generational impact manager at Great Lakes Cheese.

Sweeney noted that inclusive workplaces have demonstrated better outcomes and even profitability for many companies, with lower turnover, increased innovation and stronger teams. But how can the dairy industry work to foster an inclusive and supportive environment while simultaneously following federal, state and local guidelines?

Rifelj spoke on legal insights into DEIA compliance, providing an overview of recent executive orders. She noted many companies are updating some of the language surrounding inclusion initiatives but not necessarily doing away with them.

She also noted that despite the confusion surrounding much of the guidance, many DEIA policies are rooted in equal employment opportunity laws, which are still in place. She recommended that companies conduct a risk analysis of policy to determine if any policy is at risk of being legally challenged, as well as whether the policy is beneficial to the workplace or has yielded positive results.

“It’s similar to the way you would evaluate your benefits — how do you attract employees?” she said.
Quijada emphasized the importance of being open to hiring people from diverse backgrounds in order to keep pace with labor demands. He said if companies were to continue to hire people from only one like-minded group or ethnicity, there would not be enough workers.

“The U.S. population is not growing at the pace that we need to continue to grow and evolve,” he said. “Labor is going to be a challenge, and companies need to find a way to tap into all parts of the population to get the best talent.”

Bolet Cafaro shared that at Great Lakes Cheese, the response to broadening inclusion efforts has been very positive. The company prides itself on being authentic and showing integrity in its actions, through training and hiring practices from the plant to the corporate level. This is reflected in the company’s statement on its website, “Together, for generations to come.”

“It matters to people to be seen and represented,” she said.

Quijada said that he feels Ecolab hires and retains top talent because it is a very purpose-driven company, which resonates with people. The company has resource groups for new hires to get acclimated with other employees with similar perspectives and backgrounds in order to feel included and supported, and managers are trained to treat every employee with respect and ensure they feel seen and heard.

“We’ve always been very purpose-driven — we want to do what’s good for the company, the industry and the planet. We’ve always been very focused on growth. That’s part of our core value, and that’s not going to change. And the only way to do that is to have innovative solutions and the best people — and that requires diversity,” he said. “We know for a fact that having a diverse team makes us smarter, more innovative and increases the performance of our teams.”

At the end of the day, panelists agreed that being human and having compassion and empathy will always be important.

“I don’t think there’s any liability in being a human being and asking if someone is OK,” Quijada said.

“The industry has committed to this, and I think it is a huge point of risk if we walk away from this now,” Bolet Cafaro added on the importance of DEIA practices in the dairy industry. “I feel there’s good momentum and it would be a breach of trust to stop this work now.”

Quijada added like with most things, progress might not be a straight line.

“Nothing is — but consumers and the workforce are diverse, and I think those who do this will win, and we all want to win,” he said.

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Lawmakers and farmers push back on tariffs, voice concern

April 18, 2025

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers from across the country are attempting to limit President Trump’s power to impose tariffs, noting that farmers, businesses and consumers in their states will be hurt by the escalation of a trade war.

On Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the president’s use of emergency powers to enact broad-sweeping tariffs that they say hurt states, consumers and businesses. The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Emergency Powers Act, creating immediate and irreparable harm to California, the largest economy, manufacturing and agriculture state in the nation.

Newsom and Monta say the tariffs have disrupted supply chains, inflated costs for the state of California and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy.

“The president’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal,” Monta says. “As the fifth-largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game. Californians are bracing for fallout from the impact of the president’s choices — from farmers in the Central Valley, to small businesses in Sacramento and worried families at the kitchen table — this game the president is playing has very real consequences for Californians across our state.”

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, requests the court declare the tariffs imposed by President Trump void and enjoin their implementation.

The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs against Mexico, China and Canada or create an across-the-board 10% tariff. It also claims the president’s use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact tariffs is unlawful and unprecedented.

The IEEPA gives the president authority to take certain actions if he declares a national emergency in response to a foreign national security, foreign policy or economic threat. The law, which was enacted by Congress in 1977, specifies many different actions the president can take, but tariffs aren’t one of them, the lawsuit says, adding that this is the first time a president has attempted to rely on this law to impose tariffs.

The lawsuit invokes the U.S. Supreme Court’s major questions doctrine, which holds that in novel matters of vast economic and political significance, federal agencies and the executive branch must have clear and specific authorization from Congress. In recent years, the court has applied this standard to strike down major initiatives, including President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, ruling that novel executive actions with broad impacts on the national economy cannot rest on vague statutory authority.

• Trade Review Act

Also this week, the National Farmers Union (NFU) sent a letter to the U.S. House and Senate, urging lawmakers to support the recently introduced Trade Review Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation would reassert congressional authority to review and approve any new tariffs imposed by the administration.

“We need congressional oversight of tariffs and trade policy to ensure measures are thoughtful and positively impact the agriculture economy,” says NFU President Rob Larew. “Family farmers and ranchers are facing historic levels of uncertainty, and the recent flurry of tariff announcements, followed by abrupt reversals, has only deepened that volatility. These actions force our long-standing trade partners to retaliate with tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and look elsewhere for more affordable products. Once we lose those markets, they’re nearly impossible to win back.”

The Trade Review Act of 2025, introduced by Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., and Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., would restore congressional oversight as outlined in Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

The bill would establish a process for congressional review of new or increased tariffs imposed by the president. It would require the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing a duty on imported goods, including an explanation and an assessment of its impact on U.S. businesses and consumers, among other actions.

• Farmer impact

Meanwhile, last Friday U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and 18 of her Democratic colleagues sent a letter asking U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer for information on how the administration’s tariffs will impact farmers across the nation.

“We write with great concern about the impact of the administration’s reckless tariff agenda on our nation’s farmers,” the senators wrote. “Farmers not only have billions of dollars in commodities from last year waiting to be sold, but also have started spring planting and rely on stable markets for the planning.

“As farm organizations and economists have been warning for months, key trading partners will continue to retaliate against U.S. agricultural products as a result of President Trump’s tariffs,” the senators added. “The direct economic impact and uncertainty on America’s farmers stand to change the future of agricultural trade relationships for generations.”

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Industry raises more than $350K at U.S. champion cheese auction

April 18, 2025

MADISON, Wis. — An energetic crowd of dairy processors, marketers and suppliers raised $354,445 at the 2025 Novonesis Reception and Championship Cheese Auction held Wednesday evening at CheeseCon in Madison, Wisconsin. The funds support industry training programs offered by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), as well as dairy scholarships and university innovation.

“It’s a thrill to witness the generosity of the dairy processing industry at the auction each year,” says WCMA Executive Director John Umhoefer. “We’re immensely grateful to all those who raised their paddles to contribute to the programs and educational opportunities that help grow and strengthen our industry.”
Lots and winning bids are as follows:

• Item #1 — Awesome Arena: Actus Nutrition purchased 6 pounds of Pepper Jack Deli made by Team Arena, Arena Cheese, Arena, Wisconsin, for $250 per pound for a total of $1,500.

• Item #2 — Luscious LaClare: A-Z Process Solutions purchased 10 pounds of Original Goat Cheese made by Robert Garves, LaClare Creamery, Malone, Wisconsin, for $525 per pound for a total of $5,250.

• Item #3 — Titan Tillamook: Harry Davis & Company purchased 10 pounds of Hickory Smoked Cheddar made by Tillamook, Tillamook, Oregon, for $375 per pound for a total of $3,750.

• Item #4 — Fantastic Kraft: Harry Davis & Company purchased 10 pounds of Philadelphia Whipped
Chipotle Cream Cheese made by Philadelphia, Kraft Heinz Co., Lowville, New York, for $200 for a total of $2,000.

• Item #5 — Luminous Litehouse: Hydrite purchased 6 pounds of Litehouse Simply Artisan Gorgonzola made by Litehouse Simply Artisan Team, Litehouse Inc., Sandpoint, Idaho, for $120 per pound for a total of $720.

• Item #6 — Cabot, Nab It!: Great Lakes Cheese purchased a combined 40 pounds of Cabot Mild Cheddar made by Team Middlebury, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Middlebury, Vermont; Cabot Medium Cheddar made by Team Chateaugay, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Chateaugay, New York; Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar and Cabot Creme Fraiche made by Team Cabot, Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Cabot, Vermont; and Cabot Mac & Cheese Shreds and Cabot Pepper Jack Slices made by Great Lakes Cheese and Cabot Creamery Cooperative, Cabot, Vermont, for $350 per pound for a total of $14,000.

• Item #7 — Mighty Meister: Mohawk Technology LLC purchased 10 pounds of Bruschetta Jack Spread made by Meister Team 3, Meister Cheese, Muscoda, Wisconsin, for $900 per pound for a total of $9,000.

• Item #8 — Southwest’s Best: Nelson-Jameson purchased a combined 40 pounds of Colby, Monterey Jack and Monterey Jack with Habenero Peppers made by Southwest Cheese Team, Southwest Cheese, Clovis, New Mexico, for $325 per pound for a total of $13,000.

• Item #9 — Hook’s Hallmark: Food Safety Net Services purchased 6 pounds of Hook’s Little Boy Blue made by Team Hook, Hook’s Cheese Co. Inc., Mineral Point, Wisconsin, for $250 per pound for a total of $1,500.

• Item #10 — A-M-P-I Love It!: Advanced Process Technologies Inc. purchased a combined 50 pounds of AMPI Sharp Cheddar made Blair Team, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Blair, Wisconsin; AMPI Carolina
Reaper Jack made by Jim Falls Team, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Jim Falls, Wisconsin; and Dinner Bell Pasteurized Processed American Cheese White (Slice-on-Slice) made by AMPI’s Dinner Bell Creamery,
Associated Milk Producers Inc., Portage, Wisconsin, for $575 per pound for a total of $28,750.

• Item #11 — Wondrous Widmer’s:

Actus Nutrition purchased 10 pounds of Aged Brick Spread made by Widmer’s Cheese Cellars Team,
Widmer’s Cheese Cellars Inc., Theresa, Wisconsin, for $500 per pound for a total of $5,000.

• Item #12 — Agropur Perfection: Dahmes Stainless Inc. purchased a combined 60 pounds of Whole Milk Mozzarella and Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella made by Team Lake Norden, Agropur Inc., Lake Norden, South Dakota; and Reduced Sodium LMPS Mozzarella made by Agropur Jerome-Kaden Hamblin, Agropur Inc., Jerome, Idaho, for $425 per pound for a total of $25,500.

• Item #13 — Stunning Sartori: Masters Gallery Foods purchased 10 pounds of Garlic and Herb BellaVitano Dip & Spread made by Team Sartori, Sartori Co., Plymouth, Wisconsin, for $450 per pound for a total of $4,500.

• Item #14 — Peak Pearl Valley: General Films Inc. purchased 50 pounds of Pearl Valley Cheese Swiss Cheese made by Pearl Valley Cheese Inc., Fresno, Ohio, for $175 per pound for a total of 8,750.

• Item #15 — Gilman Greatness: Kelley Supply Inc. purchased 24 pounds of Shelf Stable Onion Pasteurized
Process Cheese made by Gilman Cheese Corp., Gilman, Wisconsin, for $250 per pound for a total of $6,000.

• Item #16 — Klondike Gold: Alpma USA purchased a combined 30 pounds of Odyssey Feta in Brine, Odyssey Reduced Fat Mediterranean Feta in Brine and Odyssey Low Fat Feta in Brine made by Steve Webster; Buholzer Brothers Brick Cheese made by Ty Saglam; Buholzer Brothers Havarti Cheese made by Steve Bechtolt; Buholzer Brothers Dill Havarti Cheese made by Dave Buholzer; Odyssey Vanilla Greek Yogurt made by Danielle Sofran; and Odyssey French Onion Greek Yogurt Dip made by Matt Martin, all of Klondike Cheese Co., Monroe, Wisconsin, for $800 per pound for a total of $24,000.

• Item #17 — Foremost’s Foremost: Mohawk Technology LLC purchased 10 pounds of Salted Butter made by 3rd Shift, Foremost Farms USA, Reedsburg, Wisconsin, for $1,600 per pound for a total of $16,000.

• Item #18 — Spectacular Sigma: Darlington Dairy Supply purchased a 16-pound Fresco Wheel made by Brian Mundt and Victor Martinez, Sigma Darlington Plant-Mexican Cheese Producers, Darlington, Wisconsin, for $750 per pound for a total of $12,000.

• Item #19 — Marieke’s Mastery: Loos Machine & Automation purchased a combined 35 pounds of Marieke Gouda Truffle and Marieke Gouda Smoked made by Marieke Gouda Team, Marieke Gouda, Thorp, Wisconsin, for $100 per pound for a total of $3,500.

• Item #20 — Lavish Land O’Lakes: dsm-firmenich purchased 10 pounds of Yellow Sharp Cheddar American Cheese Product made by Team Loaf, Land O’Lakes Inc., Spencer, Wisconsin, for $800 per pound for a total of $8,000.

• Item #21 — Gifted Guggisberg: Actus Nutrition purchased a 15-pound Ziller Wheel made by Guggisberg Cheese Inc., Millersburg, Ohio, for $725 per pound for a total of $10,875.

• Item #22 — Ultimate Umpqua: T.C. Jacoby & Co. purchased 10 pounds of Umpqua 4% Cottage Cheese made by Team Umpqua, Umpqua Dairy, Roseburg, Oregon, for $225 per pound for a total of $2,250.

• Item #23 — Winning Henning: ProActive Solutions USA purchased a combined 50 pounds of Henning’s Cheese Bandage Midget, Henning’s Cheese Dragons Breath and Henning’s Cheese Onion and Chive made by Henning Cheese, Kiel, Wisconsin, for $300 per pound for a total of $15,000.

• Item #24 — Grand Glanbia: Complete Filtration Resources purchased a combined 40 pounds of Cheddar Aged 2+ made by Erik Rojas; Waxed Cheddar Medium made by Adan Gonzalez; Colby Jack made by Idris Adam; Chipotle Color Cheddar made by Joshua Paxton; Sweet Heat Habanero Colby Jack made by Billy Ray Sansabaugh; and Mediterranean Monterey Jack made by Joey Pittman, all of Glanbia Nutritionals, Twin Falls, Idaho, for $350 per pound for a total of $14,000.

• Item #25 — Golden Global Foods: Masters Gallery Foods purchased 10 pounds of Naturally Oven-Smoked Provolone made by Global Foods International Inc., Schiller Park, Illinois, for $300 per pound for a total of $3,000.

• Item #26 — Bravo BelGioioso: Custom Fabricating & Repair purchased a combined 30 pounds of
BelGioioso Aged Provolone Mandarino made by Kevin Benzel, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Byron, Wisconsin; Polly-O Fresh Mozzarella String Cheese made by Terry Crooker, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Campbell, New York; and BelGioioso Fresh Mozzarella Fresh Basil & Garlic Marinated made by Trevor Tilot, BelGioioso Cheese Inc., Denmark, Wisconsin, for $300 per pound for a total of $9,000.

• Item #27 — Cedar Grove Goodness: Dairy Connection purchased a combined 40 pounds of Donatello and Faarko made by Cedar Grove Cheese Team, and Cheddar Cheese Curds and Flavored Cheddar Cheese Curds made by Robert Wills, all from Cedar Grove Cheese Inc., Plain, Wisconsin, for $150 per pound for a total of $6,000.

• Item #28 — Masters Gallery Glory: Loos Machine & Automation purchased 10 pounds of Colby Jack Cheese Shreds made by Masters Gallery Foods Inc., Plymouth, Wisconsin, for $600 per pound for a total of $6,000.

• Item #29 — Classic Carr Valley: Ivarson Inc. purchased a combined 16 pounds of Blue Spruce Blue made by Carr Valley Cheese Co. Inc., Linden, Wisconsin, and Mobay made by Carr Valley Cheese Co. Inc., Mauston, Wisconsin, for $125 per pound for a total of $2,000.

• Item #30 — Super Schuman: D.R. Tech Inc. purchased a combined 60 pounds of Cello Asiago, Organic Ricotta, Lake Country Dairy Gouda, Cello Organic Copper Kettle Parmesan and Cello Grated Parmesan made by Lake Country Dairy/Schuman Cheese, Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, for $325 per pound for a total of $19,500.

• Item #31 — V&V’s Victory: Sugar River Cold Storage purchased a combined 20 pounds of Queso Oaxaca
made by Nick Siedschlag, V&V Supremo Foods, Browntown, Wisconsin, and Sierra Brand Cotija made by Team V&V Supremo-Chicago, V&V Supremo Foods, Chicago, for $250 per pound for a total of $5,000.

• Item #32 — Acclaimed Artisans: Dairy Connection purchased a combined 60 pounds of St. Malachi Reserve and Springdell made by Team Doe Run, The Farm at Doe Run, Coatesville, Pennsylvania; Fresh Mozzarella Bocconcini made by Team Caputo, Caputo Cheese, Melrose Park, Illinois; Reading made by Spring Brook Farm Cheese Team, Spring Brook Farm, Reading, Vermont; Blueberry, Lemon & Thyme Goat Cheese made by Vermont Creamery, Websterville, Vermont; Jasper Hill Farm Cabot Clothbound
made by Cabot Cooperative Creamery and Jasper Hill Farm, Greensboro, Vermont; Sark made by Ricardo Gutierrez, Hoards Dairyman Farm Creamery, Monticello, Wisconsin; Nordic Creamery Unsalted
Butter made by Al Bekkum, Nordic Creamery, Westby, Wisconsin; Cinnamon Maple Butter made by Anna Landmark, Landmark Creamery, Belleville, Wisconsin; Driftless Habanero Honey made by Team Hidden Springs, Hidden Springs Creamery, Westby, Wisconsin; and Brun-uusto-Brunkow’s Baked Cheese with Garlic made by Team Brunkow, Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin, Darlington, Wisconsin, for $40 per pound for a total of $2,400.

• Item #33 — Legendary Lactalis: Novonesis purchased a combined 20 pounds of Karoun Bulgarian Style Yogurt, Karoun Honey Vanilla Yogurt and Karoun Labne Cheese made by Team 1, Central Valley Cheese Inc., Turlock, California; and President Wee Brie made by Courtney Schreiner and President Rondele Mango Habanero made by Brian Storm, both of Lactalis American Group, Merrill, Wisconsin, for $225 per pound for a total of $4,500.

• Item #34 — Emmi’s Excellence: Kelley Supply Inc. purchased a combined 20 pounds of Roth Grand Cru Surchoix Wheel made by Emmi Roth, Monroe, Wisconsin, and Hop Along made by Cowgirl Creamery Cader Lane, Cowgirl Creamery, Petaluma, California, for $450 per pound for a total of $9,000.

• Item #35 — Noble Kingston: T.C. Jacoby & Co. purchased 5 pounds of Blue Cheese Salad Blend made by Team Kingston Cheese, Kingston Cheese Cooperative, Cambria, Wisconsin, for $500 per pound for a total of $2,500.

• Item #36 — Supreme Saputo: Nelson-Jameson purchased 40 pounds of Montchevre Goat Milk Cheddar made by Black Creek Team, Saputo Cheese USA Inc., Black Creek, Wisconsin, for $275 per pound for a total of $11,000.

• Item #37 — Brilliant Burnett: dsm-firmenich purchased 10 pounds of Wood River Creamery Original Gouda Gruyere made by Rob Stellrecht and Burnett Dairy Team, Burnett Dairy Cooperative, Grantsburg, Wisconsin, for $925 per pound for a total of $9,250.

• Item #38 — Savvy Savencia: Hydrite purchased 10 pounds of Alouette Professional Crème de Blanc made by Team New Holland SCUSA, Savencia Cheese USA, New Holland, Pennsylvania, for $175 per pound for a total of $1,750.

• Item #39 — Greatest Great Lakes: Alpma USA purchased a combined 10 pounds of Mild Provolone Cheese made by GLC Team, Great Lakes Cheese, Franklinville, New York, and Pepper Jack Cracker Cuts made by Turophiles, Great Lakes Cheese, Plymouth, Wisconsin, for $1,300 per pound for a total of $13,000.

• Item #40 — King Kemps: Novonesis purchased 10 pounds of Kemps Black Cherry Cottage Cheese made by Kemps LLC, Farmington, Minnesota, for $100 per pound for a total of $1,000.

• Item #41 — Pine River Gold Pack: Masters Gallery Foods purchased 10 pounds of Garlic & Herb Gourmet Cheese Snack Spread made by Team Pine River, Pine River Pre-Pack Inc., Newton, Wisconsin, for $425 per pound for a total of $4,250.

• Item #42 — The U.S. Champion!: Masters Gallery Foods purchased 19 pounds of Arethusa Europa made by Arethusa Cheese Team, Arethusa Farm Dairy, Bantam, Connecticut, for $550 per pound for a total of $10,450.

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Trump pulls back on tariffs while raising rate on China

April 11, 2025

WASHINGTON — After last week announcing global 10% tariffs on all imported goods plus higher reciprocal tariffs on certain countries, President Trump on Wednesday announced a pause on the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, except for tariffs on China, which have been increased to 145% as of press time.

On Wednesday, the president signed an executive order, “Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Trading Partner Retaliation and Alignment,” which raised tariffs on imports from China to 125% in response to ongoing retaliation between U.S. and Chinese tariffs. Yesterday, the White House clarified that tariffs on Chinese imports were on top of a previous 20%, so the total tariffs against China now are at 145%.

However, Wednesday’s executive order also suspended other reciprocal tariffs through July 9, effective as of yesterday.

The president notes in his order that unlike China, since he signed the initial order on reciprocal tariffs more than 75 other foreign trading partners have approached the United States to address its concerns. The tariffs on all countries, with the exception of China, will now be 10% instead of the higher rates previously announced.

“This is a significant step by these countries toward remedying non-reciprocal trade arrangements and aligning sufficiently with the United States on economic and national security matters,” Trump says.

Today China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced that China also will raise its additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 125%, effective Saturday. China’s Ministry of Commerce also announced today that the country has filed a lawsuit against the United States with the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism, according to China’s state-run news service Xinhua.

In a statement on X yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Trump’s announcement to pause reciprocal tariffs, saying it’s an important step toward stabilizing the global economy.

“The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade,” she says.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall also commented on this week’s tariff announcement.

“Farm Bureau appreciates President Trump’s decision to pause the reciprocal tariffs on dozens of America’s trading partners for 90 days,” he says. “We have been engaging directly with the White House, U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Agriculture to emphasize the toll tariffs will take on America’s farmers and ranchers, who are already strapped because of high supply costs and shrinking paychecks. Creating more market challenges puts at risk more than 20% of U.S. farm income. We’re encouraged that those concerns are being heard.”

While the pause brings some temporary certainty, Duvall adds that questions remain about the long-term competitiveness for farmers in the global marketplace.

“We encourage the administration to swiftly resolve trade disputes and to pursue strategies that will ensure America’s farmers can continue to stock the pantries of families here at home, and abroad,” he says.

CoBank also released a quarterly report this week on the effect of tariffs on U.S. consumers and businesses amid economic fears.

Despite a 90-day partial reprieve, the new tariff regime remains likely to increase inflation and cut economic growth, CoBank notes.

“While the severity of the near-term effects is up for debate, the longer-term impact of capricious U.S. trade policy is the likely loss of trust abroad in U.S. policymaking, something that will be very hard to regain,” says Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange.

CoBank also notes that the potential for prolonged trade disputes with Mexico, Canada and China, which combined account for half of all U.S. dairy exports, threatens the outlook for U.S. dairy demand.

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New DBIA report reveals key insights into specialty cheese

April 11, 2025

MADISON, Wis. — Specialty cheesemakers can grow their market share through consumer education, sampling and trial-size products, and creative promotional campaigns, according to a new report released this week by the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance (DBIA).

“This report gives specialty cheesemakers a clear, actionable roadmap to better connect with curious consumers and turn interest into sales,” says Rebekah Sweeney, senior director of programs and policy for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), which administers the DBIA in partnership with the Center for Dairy Research (CDR). “By embracing strategies like sampling, smart promotions and storytelling, cheesemakers can grow their market share and strengthen their brands.”

WCMA and CDR partnered with market intelligence firm Ipsos to conduct a survey in fall 2024 and produce the report. The final document reveals a wealth of valuable insights, including:

• Sampling opportunities and trial sizes are key to encouraging consumer exploration within the specialty cheese category.

• One-third of Americans say sales and promotions are the top avenue of increasing their specialty cheese consumption, making discounts and promotions especially important.

• Over 40% of specialty cheese consumers indicated that education displayed on packaging, social media and other online avenues would encourage them to consume specialty cheese more often and branch out beyond familiar varieties.

The report also found that specialty cheese is a versatile food item enjoyed across various occasions. While at dinner is the most common, occasions revolving around entertaining and social connection are popular (casual get-togethers, holidays at home and game/family nights). Consumers look toward specialty cheese for these events to evoke feelings of comfort, happiness and connection — suggesting that specialty cheese in these moments is not just about the taste, but also the experiences and feelings it can evoke.

Outside of dinner, everyday occasions such as snacking and lunch are currently underdeveloped, indicating potential for growth through targeted innovations and communications that highlight why specialty cheese is the ideal choice for snacking and lunch moments.

Specialty cheese also presents a significant white space opportunity to expand into the dessert moment, as the occasion shares several common needs with what specialty cheese can offer the consumer: an indulgent treat that provides comfort and joy, and satisfies cravings.

“This report offers artisanal cheesemakers invaluable insights into key factors that fuel the purchasing decisions made by consumers of specialty cheeses. We believe these insights will empower them to refine their product development and marketing strategies for even greater success,” says Tom Guerin, assistant director for CDR.

The new report advances DBIA’s mission to support small and mid-size dairy processors across its 11-state service area of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

To view the analysis, visit https://dbia.wisc.edu/technical-assistance/market-intelligence/domestic-specialty-cheese/.

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Lawmakers send letter urging USDA to broaden bird flu plan

April 11, 2025

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, along with Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., are pressing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to broaden USDA’s strategy for managing avian flu to include measures for dairy herds and turkeys.

A letter sent April 9 from the lawmakers to Rollins references USDA’s Feb. 26 avian flu strategic plan, noting that while it did include shared priorities for combating the disease — including the expansion of relief to farmers dealing with outbreaks among their livestock and investment in research — the senators encourage the plan to also include dairy cows and turkeys.

“Since the beginning of the outbreak, the virus has impacted more than 160 million birds, including more than 18.6 million turkeys and nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the country,” the letter notes.

“Since avian flu has impacted a wide array of animals, we believe any biosecurity and vaccine measures, including discussions with foreign trading partners, offered by the department should be available to all livestock producers dealing with avian flu, including turkey and dairy producers,” the letter continues.

The senators are requesting an update on USDA’s plan for ensuring dairy and turkey producers and other impacted livestock and wildlife species are covered under the plan. They also are requesting the department develop a strategy and timeline for working with foreign trading partners to ensure potential vaccination of avian flu in poultry and cattle does not disrupt trade, and that the department provide information to Congress about the expected timeline for conditional approval of an avian flu vaccine for dairy cattle.

Meanwhile, multiple news outlets have reported that certain efforts to test for bird flu have been suspended due to staff cuts at FDA and other federal health agencies. (See “HHS announces restructuring; Makary is FDA commissioner” in the March 28, 2025, issue of Cheese Market News.)

Reuters first reported last week that a planned FDA exercise that would have coordinated labs around the country to detect the virus in milk had been suspended due to the closure of an FDA lab in Illinois.

Additionally, CBS reported last week that another disrupted effort was at FDA’s San Francisco-area food safety testing lab, which was to begin testing pet food for bird flu before it was closed as part of the cuts.
Over this past week, confirmed cases of bird flu in livestock herds surpassed 1,000, with the latest positive cases in dairy cows reported in California and Idaho.

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Stakeholders react to Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement

April 4, 2025

WASHINGTON — Dairy, agriculture, restaurant and other industry leaders have weighed in on the potential impacts of this week’s announcement by President Trump that he will impose a 10% minimum tariff on imports from all countries, with limited exceptions.
On Wednesday, Trump declared a national emergency due to foreign trade and economic practices and issued an executive order, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), to impose a 10% tariff on all countries, effective April 5.

The order also notes that Trump will impose an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits, which will take effect April 9. Among others, these include tariffs of 34% on China, 20% on the European Union (EU), 26% on India, 24% on Japan and 25% on South Korea.

Some goods will not be subject to the reciprocal tariffs, including those already subject to certain other tariffs, as well as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles and bullion, energy and certain minerals that are not available in the United States.

For Canada and Mexico, Trump announced that the existing tariffs related to fentanyl/migration IEEPA orders remain in effect and are unaffected by this order. Therefore, goods under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) will continue to see a 0% tariff, non-USMCA-compliant goods will see a 25% tariff, and non-USMCA-compliant energy and potash will see a 10% tariff. In the event that the existing Canada and Mexico tariff orders are terminated, USMCA-compliant goods would continue to receive preferential treatment, while non-USMCA-compliant goods would be subject to a 12% reciprocal tariff.

In his executive order, Trump says he believes that tariffs are necessary to ensure fair trade, protect American workers and reduce the trade deficit.

China announced today that it will match the 34% tariffs by imposing the same amount on all products imported from the United States starting April 10. China’s state-run news outlet Xinhua reported this morning that China is urging the United States to “immediately lift its unilateral tariff measures and resolve trade disputes through consultations on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefits.”

President Trump responded this morning on his social media platform, Truth Social, “CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG, THEY PANICKED - THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!”

Yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said President Trump’s announcement of universal tariffs “is a major blow to the world economy” and that the “consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe.”

She says the EU is finalizing a first package of countermeasures in response to tariffs on steel and is preparing for further countermeasures if negotiations fail.

Canada notes that while some elements of its trade relationship with the United States have been preserved, new auto tariffs now have entered into force. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday announced new countermeasures including 25% tariffs on non-USMCA-compliant fully assembled vehicles, as well as non-Canadian and non-Mexican content of USMCA-compliant fully assembled vehicles imported from the United States. All proceeds raised from these tariffs will directly support Canadian auto workers.

U.S. industry groups have reacted to this week’s tariff announcement by urging the president to use the tariffs as a tool to negotiate more fair and open trade, while also warning that a prolonged trade war will hurt U.S. farmers, businesses and consumers.

“President Trump’s commitment to addressing certain unfair and harmful trade policies that American dairy farmers and manufacturers have long faced in the global marketplace can yield positive results if the tariffs announced (this week) are used as leverage to remedy the various trade barriers facing our exporters,” says Krysta Harden, president and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC). “A firm hand and decisive approach to driving changes is most needed with the European Union and India to correct their distortive trade policies and mistreatment of American agriculture, including both imbalanced tariff barriers and nontariff choke-points such as the misuse of geographical indications to block sales of our cheeses.”

However, Harden also says the strong majority of U.S. trading partner relationships are positive ones, including those with many of the countries that will see higher tariffs imposed on them, and USDEC encourages the administration to work swiftly with these partners to negotiate new trading terms that expand opportunities for U.S. exports and secure the elimination of both tariff and nontariff barriers.

Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), also notes that tariffs can be a useful tool for negotiating fairer terms of trade and that NMPF is glad to see the administration focusing on long-term barriers to trade that the EU and India have imposed on U.S. exports. He adds that if the EU retaliates, NMPF encourages the administration to respond strongly by raising tariffs on European cheeses and butter.

“Through productive negotiations, this administration can help achieve a level playing field for U.S. dairy producers by tackling the numerous tariff and nontariff trade barriers that bog down our exports,” Doud says. “As the administration moves forward with negotiations on these tariffs, we encourage prioritizing getting back to fully open trade with the U.S. FTA (free trade agreement) partners, targeting actors who have long put up entrenched barriers to American exports and swiftly negotiating constructive outcomes with those we know are working for a long-term fruitful relationship with American farmers.”

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) points out that the U.S. dairy industry exports more than $8 billion worth of dairy products every year to 145 countries around the world. To meet growing global demand, dairy businesses also have invested $8 billion in new processing capacity in the United States, creating jobs and strengthening rural economies as America is positioned to become the world’s leading dairy supplier.

“This growth depends on strong trade relationships and access to essential ingredients, finished goods, packaging and equipment to provide Americans with safe, affordable and nutritious dairy foods and beverages,” says Becky Rasdall Vargas, senior vice president of trade and workforce policy, IDFA.

“IDFA supports the Trump administration’s efforts to hold trading partners accountable and expand market access for U.S. dairy. However, broad and prolonged tariffs on our top trading partners and growing markets will risk undermining our investments, raising costs for American businesses and consumers, and creating uncertainty for American dairy farmers and rural communities,” she adds. “We urge the administration to engage directly with dairy stakeholders and swiftly pursue resolutions with our trading partners that strengthen U.S. dairy’s global competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the National Restaurant Association both issued statements warning that the new tariffs will add more costs and uncertainty to sectors that already are struggling, as well as impact U.S. consumers.

NFU President Rob Larew says U.S. farmers value fair trading relationships with other countries, but they also rely on stable markets and fair competition to thrive. This week’s tariff announcement, he says, creates instability at the expense of family farmers.

“One thing is certain: American family farmers and ranchers will bear the brunt of this global trade war,” he warns. “The economic strain and uncertainty that farmers face have reached a breaking point. Without meaningful support and a commitment to fair trade policies, we will lose even more family farms, weaken rural economies and ultimately drive up costs and limit choices for consumers at the grocery store.”

National Restaurant Association President and CEO Michelle Korsmo says the biggest concerns for restaurant operators of all sizes are that tariffs will hike food and packaging costs and add uncertainty to managing availability, while pushing up prices for consumers.

“Restaurant operators know consumers are very sensitive to costs and have kept menu price increases to 30%, while their food costs have gone up 40% in the last five years,” she says. “Restaurant operators rely on a stable supply of fresh ingredients year-round to provide the menu items their customers want and expect. Many restaurant operators source as many domestic ingredients as they can, but it’s simply not possible for U.S. farmers and ranchers to produce the volumes needed to support consumer demand.”

The Consumer Brands Association also says that while the consumer packaged goods industry already manufactures the majority of its products in the United States, there are critical ingredients and inputs that need to be imported due to scarce domestic availability, and tariffs will harm both U.S. manufacturers and consumers.

“No amount of tariffs will bring these inputs back to the U.S.,” says Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain resiliency, Consumer Brands Association. “However well intended, the success of the president’s America First Trade Policy must recognize the U.S. companies that are already doing it the right way but depend on imports for specific ingredients and inputs that cannot be sourced domestically. Reciprocal tariffs that do not reflect ingredient and input availability concerns will inevitably raise costs, limit consumer access to affordable products and unintentionally harm iconic American manufacturers. We encourage President Trump and his trade advisors to fine-tune their approach and exempt key ingredients and inputs in order to protect manufacturing jobs and prevent unnecessary inflation at the grocery store.”

CMN

Federal lawmakers look at bills to boost U.S. dairy consumption

April 4, 2025

WASHINGTON — In a hearing before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee this week, lawmakers, nutrition experts and school officials emphasized the need to restore whole and reduced-fat (2%) milk to federal school meal programs. The focus of the hearing was the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow schools to offer these milk options to the more than 30 million students who rely on school breakfast and lunch every day.

The hearing marks a critical next step in the legislative process for the bill, which was approved by the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee with a bipartisan vote of 24-10 in February. The bill awaits passage by both the House and Senate.

For more than a decade, federal regulations have restricted schools to offering only fat-free and lowfat milk, despite widespread underconsumption of dairy among children, notes the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA). Between 68% and 94% of school-age boys and girls are failing to meet the recommended levels of dairy intake, depriving them of essential nutrients during key developmental years.

“(This week’s) hearing demonstrates the broad, bipartisan support the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act enjoys in Congress and among parents, nutritionists and school meals professionals alike,” says Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “Whole and 2% milk provide kids with 13 essential nutrients and high-quality protein critical for growth, development, healthy immune function and overall wellness. It’s time for Congress to pass the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and bring whole and 2% milk back to schools.”

National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud adds that research shows Americans are under-consuming dairy products.

“As we heard (this week), students have said they want the milk they are familiar with and that they find satisfying. For many students, that’s whole milk,” Doud says.

At the hearing, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., a physician, noted that milk consumption has declined since whole and 2% options were removed from schools. Krista Byler, district food service director for Union City Area School District in Pennsylvania,
said she saw the results firsthand.

“It was heartbreaking what I was seeing at our little 1,000-student school district,” Byler testified. “The amount of waste that we were throwing away each day was disheartening. With the new legislation in place, my dairy orders also greatly declined.”

USDA’s Eve Stoody noted that dairy intake among adolescents now is about half a cup lower than it was two decades ago.

“Efforts to increase dairy intakes would improve nutrient intakes and support overall health,” Stoody said. “Offering dairy during school meals supports consumption directly and can also set the stage for consuming a healthy dietary pattern outside of school meals.”

Experts also pointed to the evolution of nutrition science, which increasingly shows neutral or positive effects of full-fat dairy.

“A plethora of scientific literature demonstrates that consumption of cow’s milk provides children with better bone health, a lower risk for Type 2 diabetes and a lower risk for cardiovascular disease,” said Keith Ayoob, associate professor emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “No matter what type of milk is offered in school, none of it is nutritious unless students drink it. I believe that giving children the kind of milk option they like can encourage participation in the school meals program, and that’s my goal.”

Ayoob also addressed concerns about saturated fat and obesity, noting, “Saturated fat doesn’t exist in isolation in foods. In dairy, it is bound to protein, occurring in a ‘dairy protein-fat matrix.’ In this form, the body appears to handle it differently — it may not increase bad cholesterol and can even reduce the harmful part of it.”

On obesity, Ayoob stated, “With milk, research has consistently shown that consumers of whole milk are no more likely to be overweight or obese. In terms of other health risks, higher dairy consumption, irrespective of dairy fat content, has been associated with lower risk for insulin resistance syndrome,” or the conditions leading to prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Meanwhile, a new dairy incentive program aimed at encouraging healthy behavior among people participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is gaining bipartisan support in the U.S. House and Senate. The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 seeks to address that 90% of Americans do not consume enough milk and other nutritious dairy products according to federal dietary guidelines. The bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and U.S. Reps. Jim Costa, D-Calif., and Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., would provide SNAP participants with a dollar-for-dollar match for the purchase of milk, cheese, yogurt and cultured dairy products.

The dairy incentive program would expand the Healthy Fluid Milk Incentive (HFMI) projects — a 2018 Farm Bill program currently testing best practices for incentivizing milk purchases among SNAP beneficiaries — to include whole and 2% milk as well as additional dairy products including cheese and yogurt. To date, the HFMI program has helped more than 340,000 individuals enrolled in SNAP purchase lowfat (1%) and nonfat milk for their families.

“A SNAP dairy incentive program is a reliable investment in improving our nation’s health and reducing hunger and chronic food insecurity among low-income Americans,” Dykes says. “IDFA applauds U.S. Sens. Klobuchar and Marshall, and U.S. Reps. Costa and Langworthy, for their leadership on the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025, which would help our nation’s most vulnerable people afford wholesome, nutrient-dense dairy products for their families.”

NMPF also lauded the bill, noting it would expand SNAP participant access to healthful dairy products at the grocery store.
“We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors and ensuring all Americans have access to healthy dairy products,” Doud says.
The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 also is endorsed by the Dairy Institute of California, Northeast Dairy Foods & Suppliers Associations, Dairy Products Institute of Texas and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association.

CMN

Cheese demand, uncertainty in trade may impact dairy market

April 4, 2025

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Terrain — a team of agricultural economists who provide analysis and forecasting to customers of
AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American AgCredit, Farm Credit Services of America and Frontier Farm Credit — this week released a quarterly outlook on several markets including dairy.

The report, “Cheese Demand and Trade Uncertainty May Move Markets in 2025,” was authored by Ben Laine, senior dairy analyst for Terrain. He notes that dairy markets are starting 2025 in reasonably good shape, well positioned for a moderately strong year. Milk production remains stable, and exports in January were a record $706 million and up 20% year-over-year (YOY).

“Export strength for the remainder of the year will be susceptible to ongoing and rapidly evolving trade negotiations,” Laine says. “For now, dairy futures markets, like many other markets, have taken a hit, but more twists and turns are almost certain to come.”

The report notes milk production started the year in line with 2024 levels for January, but the impacts of the H5N1 outbreak continue, and a new strain has been detected, suggesting the industry is not yet out of the woods. Milk production levels were down 5.7% in California and down 4.1% in Arizona in January. Gains in Texas (6.5%), South Dakota (6.5%), Kansas (4.3%) and Colorado (3.4%) have helped make up for California’s production decline in January. Production in these states is ramping up to meet the needs of new major cheese manufacturing plants that have recently started receiving milk and producing cheese, the report adds.

“As these plants increase their milk intake, I expect regional milk markets to struggle to meet demand in the near term due to continually low milk cow replacement availability and persistent incentives to breed to beef rather than expand a dairy herd,” Laine says. “This should be supportive of spot milk prices later in the year, but for now markets appear reasonably balanced.”

The whey and cream markets are starting to see disruptions from these plants, the report notes. Whey is a byproduct of the cheese manufacturing process, and while demand for high-protein whey products has been strengthening, the supply of new whey on the market appears to be outpacing demand. After starting the year at 75 cents per pound, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange spot price for dry whey fell below 50 cents in March. The result will be a nearly 45% decrease in the component price for other solids and about a $1.50-per hundredweight decrease in the Class III milk price.

“With milk fat levels in U.S. farm milk continuing to increase, the milk headed to new cheese plants as well as fluid milk plants contains more fat than what is needed for those products,” Laine says. “As a result, surplus cream is being spun off and hitting the open market.”

Milk prices also are highly dependent on export opportunities, Laine adds.

“The difference between the past several years and 2025 is the high degree of uncertainty around trade negotiations, potential barriers to exports or the potential for additional market access or reduced barriers to trade,” he says. “My baseline expectation is that cheese exports would be set up for another strong year. Prices are below the levels of our competitors in world markets, and U.S. cheese exports have been building momentum. Exports of cheese to Mexico have more than doubled in volume since 2020. So far, January data indicate a steady pace with a year ago.”

Time will tell where trade negotiations will lead, but heightened market volatility along the way is inevitable, the report says. If realized, expectations for lower feed prices through the year would help provide some buffer, protecting margins even if milk prices decline.

To read the report, visit www.terrainag.com/insights/cheese-demand-and-trade-uncertainty-may-move-markets-in-2025/.

CMN

Today's Cheese Spot Trading
April 17, 2025

Barrels: $1.8400 (-3 1/2)
Blocks: $1.8350 (+1)

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China and the United States: A look at their relationship

Ty Rohloff, Compeer Financial

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