In news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line as we begin February 2025:

Lee karen
Karen Lee
Managing Editor / Progressive Dairy

USDA confirms second strain of HPAI found in dairy cattle

In late January, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced it detected another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle. The first case in the state was detected in December.

Following a whole genome sequence, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed it to be a new virus genotype (D1.1) of HPAI H5N1 in dairy cattle. Previous detections in dairy have been genotype B3.13.

“Genotype D1.1 has been the predominant genotype in the North American flyways this past fall and winter and has been identified in wild birds, mammals and spillovers into domestic poultry,” APHIS said in a news statement.

It is also the same genotype implicated in humans, including the fatal case in a Louisiana resident who had contact with sick backyard birds.

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This Nevada dairy case was initially detected through silo testing under the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), which the USDA said is testament to the strength of the program.

State and federal animal health officials are conducting additional on-farm investigation, testing and gathering epidemiological information to better understand this detection and limit further disease spread.

GDT index takes a good leap

The price index of dairy product prices sold on the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) platform is up 3.7% in the auction held Feb. 4. This puts the index back on a steady trajectory of increasing prices since August 2023.

Compared to the previous auction, prices for individual product categories were mostly higher. Lactose was up 17.7%. Skim milk powder and whole milk powder were up 4.7% and 4.1%, respectively. Cheddar cheese, butter and anhydrous milkfat were also up. Buttermilk powder and mozzarella were both down but by less than 0.5% each.

The GDT platform offers dairy products from several global companies: Fonterra (New Zealand), Darigold, Valley Milk and Dairy America (U.S.), Arla (Denmark), Arla Foods Ingredients (Denmark), BMI (Germany), Kerry Dairy (Ireland) and Solarec (Belgium).

The next GDT auction is Feb. 18.

Farmer sentiment remains optimistic despite trade uncertainty

U.S. farmers retained their post-election optimistic outlook at the start of the new year as the index rose five points above December, according to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

“The shift in attitudes was attributable in part to an improvement in crop prices from the time of the December to the January survey,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

U.S. producers expect 2025 to be better than 2024; however, there is concern about the future of agricultural trade. Over 40% of respondents cited “trade policy” as the most important policy for their farm in the next five years, and 40% of producers said they think a trade war is either “likely” or “very likely.”

The Ag Economy Barometer provides a monthly snapshot of farmer sentiment regarding the state of the agricultural economy. The survey collects responses from 400 producers whose annual market value of production is equal to or exceeds $500,000. Minimum targets by enterprise are as follows: 53% corn/soybeans, 14% wheat, 3% cotton, 19% beef cattle, 5% dairy and 6% hogs. Latest survey results, released Feb. 4, reflect ag producer outlooks as of Jan. 13-17.

February FSA interest rates start to fall

The announced interest rates on loans through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) declined after rising for the past two months. As we begin February 2025, interest rates for operating and ownership loans (compared to January) are as follows:

  • Farm operating loans (direct): 5.125%, unchanged
  • Farm ownership loans (direct): 5.5%, down from 5.625%
  • Farm ownership loans (direct, joint financing): 3.5%, down from 3.625%
  • Farm ownership loans (down payment): 1.5%, down from 1.625%
  • Emergency loan (amount of actual loss): 3.75%, unchanged

The FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders. For more information, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.

Dairy’s Foundation kicks off ‘Plant a Seed’ campaign

For the eighth year, the dairy community is coming together to invest in the future of dairy through education. Dairy’s Foundation launched its annual Plant a Seed, Inspire a Dream campaign to support educational programs that strengthen the dairy industry and its connection with consumers.

This year, four industry heroes – Pipping Concrete, Ag Country Farm Credit Services, Mullins Cheese and CP Feeds – are stepping up in a big way to rally support for dairy education. These companies, deeply rooted in the industry, are championing the campaign alongside two prominent boards of dairy farmers: Dairy’s Foundation board of directors and the Professional Dairy Producers board of directors.

The 2025 campaign goal is $75,000, with every dollar donated multiplying through the generous matching contributions from Dairy’s Foundation partners. Donations can be made at online.

Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy elects Rodenbaugh as new board chair

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) President and CEO Dennis Rodenbaugh was elected chair of the board of directors at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy during the checkoff-founded organization’s first meeting of 2025.

Rodenbaugh takes on the role from Leprino’s Mike Durkin, who served as the Innovation Center’s board chair since 2023. Rodenbaugh previously served as vice chairman of the Innovation Center’s board.

The Innovation Center also elected the following officers at the meeting:

  • Vice chair: Brad Anderson, California Dairies Inc.
  • Treasurer: Sheryl Meshke, Associated Milk Producers Inc.
  • Secretary: Ron Dunford, Schreiber Foods
  • At-large: Heather Anfang, Land O’ Lakes
  • At-large: Joe Diglio, Michigan Milk Producers Association

California Dairies Inc. announces future leadership transition

California Dairies Inc. (CDI) announced that President and CEO Brad Anderson will retire at the end of 2025, following a distinguished career marked by significant contributions to both CDI and the broader dairy industry.

Anderson joined CDI as chief operating officer in 2018 and was appointed president and CEO in 2020. Under Anderson’s leadership, CDI achieved significant transformation and innovation. He oversaw the construction of a new processing facility in Bakersfield, expanding CDI’s manufacturing footprint into extended shelf-life (ESL) and aseptic/shelf-stable ultra-high-temperature (UHT) products. He optimized operations by restructuring the organization into Global Business Groups to better serve domestic and international markets. Anderson also diversified CDI’s existing product portfolio, including the introduction of lactoferrin production, as the organization sought to expand its market reach and meet evolving consumer demands. Furthermore, he established CDI as an environmental leader through the “Golden State Advantage” initiative.

Beyond his contributions to CDI, Anderson is a recognized industry leader, actively shaping the future of dairy through his involvement in various organizations. He has held key leadership roles within the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. This includes his instrumental work as chair of the Innovation Center’s Stewardship Commitment Taskforce and CEO Taskforce on Greenhouse Gas Reporting.

To ensure a smooth transition, CDI’s board of directors has named Rob Vandenheuvel, current chief operating officer, as Anderson’s successor. Vandenheuvel will assume the role of president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2026.

Since joining CDI in 2017, Vandenheuvel has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership across various areas, including member and industry relations, supply chain, operations and sales. His prior experience as general manager at Milk Producers Council, as well as growing up on a California dairy farm, has given him valuable perspective as he served on CDI’s leadership team the past eight years in escalating roles.

Anderson and Vandenheuvel will work closely together over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.

Dairy companies donate more than 200,000 meals in San Antonio

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Foundation and more than a dozen leading U.S. dairy companies and food retailers teamed up to deliver 3.5 truckloads of nutritious milk and dairy products and donate nearly $40,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank to address hunger in southwest Texas. The donations were announced at the 2025 IDFA Dairy Forum conference hosted by IDFA in January in San Antonio. Leaders from the dairy companies visited the food bank later in the day to share their gratitude with the staff for the work they do to serve people in need in 29 counties in Texas.

Approximately 3.5 truckloads of nutritious shelf-stable milk, yogurt and coffee creamer were donated by Diversified Foods Inc. of Louisiana, LALA U.S. of Texas, Danone North America of Colorado and Chobani of New York. A combined $38,500 in financial contributions were donated by Blue Bell Creameries of Texas, HEB of Texas, Ever.Ag of Illinois, Leprino of Colorado, Pacific Cheese of California, Select Milk Producers of Texas, Stanpac of Texas and Tetra Pak, U.S. and Canada, of Texas. Altogether, the food and financial contributions will provide more than 200,000 meals to food insecure families throughout the 29 counties served by San Antonio Food Bank.

“One of the most requested items at the food bank is dairy: fresh milk and yogurt or even shelf-stable milk. Receiving truckloads of dairy is nearly unheard of, and we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Eric S. Cooper, president and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank.