Making headlines the second week of March 2025 are the following topics:

Lee karen
Karen Lee
Managing Editor / Progressive Dairy

EPA to revise Waters of the U.S. rule

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the EPA will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver on President Donald Trump’s promise to review the definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will move quickly to ensure that a revised definition follows the law, reduces red tape, cuts overall permitting costs and lowers the cost of doing business in communities across the country while protecting the nation’s navigable waters from pollution.

“We want clean water for all Americans supported by clear and consistent rules for all states, farmers, and small businesses,” Zeldin said. “The previous administration’s definition of ‘waters of the United States’ placed unfair burdens on the American people and drove up the cost of doing business. Our goal is to protect America’s water resources consistent with the law of the land while empowering American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs and families.”

The EPA will start its review by expeditiously obtaining input from stakeholders, including state partners. The agency will also undertake a rule-making process to revise the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” with a focus on clarity, simplicity and improvements that will stand the test of time. While this rule-making process proceeds, the agency will provide guidance to those states implementing the pre-2015 definition of “waters of the United States” to ensure consistency with the law of the land.

The EPA’s review will be guided by the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which stated that the Clean Water Act’s use of “waters” encompasses only those relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water forming streams, oceans, rivers and lakes. The Sackett decision also clarified that wetlands would only be covered when having a continuous surface connection to waterbodies that are “waters of the United States” in their own right.

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China imposes 10% tariffs on dairy

Following Trump’s announcement last week that placed 20% tariffs on Chinese goods, China responded with tariffs on U.S. farm products.

China is imposing an additional 10% tariff on U.S. dairy products, as well as sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruit and vegetables. Other commodities – chicken, wheat, corn and cotton – will face an extra 15% tariff in China.

Last year, China ranked third in countries importing U.S. dairy products, purchasing $584 million or 7% of U.S. dairy exports. In total farm products from the U.S., China imported $24.7 billion last year, or 14% of total U.S. farm exports.

The new tariffs took effect on March 10, although goods already in transit will be exempt until April 12.

Fluid milk sales off to slower start in 2025

Fluid milk sales for January 2025 are lower than the same month a year earlier. According to data from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

  • Total sales: January 2025 sales of packaged fluid milk products were estimated at 3.9 billion pounds, down 0.5% from the same month a year earlier.
  • Conventional products: Monthly sales totaled 3.6 billion pounds, down 1% from the same month a year earlier. Sales of whole milk continue to be on the rise at 1.4% higher than last year.
  • Organic products: January sales totaled 276 million pounds, up 6.5% from a year earlier. Whole milk sales were up 10.3% and reduced fat (2%) milk sales were up 8.1%. Organic represented about 7.2% total fluid product sales in January.

The U.S. figures are based on consumption of fluid milk products in Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) areas, which account for approximately 92% of total U.S. fluid milk sales, and adding the other 8% from outside FMMO-regulated areas. Sales outlets include food stores, convenience stores, warehouse stores/wholesale clubs, nonfood stores, schools, the food service industry and home delivery.

PDP launches Tier 2 of Your Farm – Your Footprint initiative

Dairy farmers looking to enhance their farm efficiencies, reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental sustainability now have an opportunity to access financial support through Tier 2 of the Your Farm – Your Footprint initiative.

Professional Dairy Producers (PDP), in collaboration with Dairy’s Foundation, is introducing Tier 2 as the next step in this non-governmental, producer-led environmental-sustainability program. Building upon the core principles established in Tier 1, which provided dairy farmers with a confidential carbon-footprint assessment, Tier 2 offers financial incentives for implementing sustainability-focused farming practices.

Tier 2 benefits include:

  • Cost-share funding – Eligible dairy farmers in specific milk sheds can receive financial assistance for adopting best practices that improve farm sustainability and operational efficiency.
  • Confidential and farmer-led – As with Tier 1, all farm data remains private, ensuring producers retain full control over their information.
  • Peer groups – Opportunities to engage with fellow producers in a peer group to share insights and best practices.
  • Sustainable dairy industry – Made possible by Dairy’s Foundation and sponsorship from Nestlé, this initiative furthers the commitment toward achieving of U.S. dairy’s sustainability goals.

Dairy farmers interested in Tier 2 Your Farm – Your Footprint opportunities can learn more by visiting PDP's website or by calling PDP.

Concord Agriculture Partners issues $750,000 in carbon payments to North American dairy farmers

North American dairy farmers who participated in Concord Agriculture Partners’ (CAP) CAPping Methane Emissions carbon insetting project received $750,000 in carbon-asset payments for using a proprietary blend of essential oils to create verified emissions reductions in 2023. These projects, validated and verified by SustainCERT, achieved a 9.48% reduction in enteric methane emissions.

2023 impact:

  • 56 farms (62,506 cows) in the U.S. generated 18,663 carbon credits, receiving $515,000 in payments.
  • 181 farms (24,383 cows) in Canada generated 8,521 carbon credits, receiving $319,000 Canadian dollars (approximately US$235,000).

These payments are tied to the verified emissions reductions achieved, with farmers receiving well over the program’s guaranteed minimum of $25 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq), which reflects CAP’s commitment to maximizing value at the farmgate.

The feed additive used in this carbon insetting project is a blend of essential oils that is used in the diets of over 2 million dairy cows worldwide. Recognized by leading carbon methodology owners Verra and Gold Standard for its role in climate protection initiatives, this additive helps improve feed palatability and feed efficiency in beef and dairy cattle, empowering farmers and ranchers to reach their profitability and sustainability goals.

CAP’s project is simple and convenient for dairy farmers, and there is no cost to participate. Any size and type of farm that uses this feed additive in its feed can join, including both conventional and organic operations. The project includes farms in the U.S. ranging from 30 animals to over 10,000 per site. In Canada, the project includes farms ranging from 10 animals to almost 900 per site, proving that this practice can benefit all rural communities in an equitable manner.

Building on its success in North America, CAP is expanding its CAPping Methane Emissions project to Europe, starting in Ireland, Germany, Spain and the U.K. As with the North American project, the European program guarantees participating farmers a high percentage share of the gross value of the carbon credit, setting a new benchmark for farmer-focused sustainability initiatives.

Submit DCRC Excellence in Dairy Reproduction award nominations

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) seeks nominations for its Excellence in Dairy Reproduction Awards program. Dairy industry professionals, including veterinarians, extension agents, artificial insemination and pharmaceutical company representatives, dairy processors and co-op field staff, and consultants, may nominate dairy herds with reproduction excellence.

This awards program recognizes outstanding dairy operations for reproductive efficiency and well-implemented procedures. Nominations are due April 30.

To nominate a herd, go to DCRC's website and complete the required information.

From the nominations, judges evaluate reproductive performance criteria and narrow down the nominations to a group of about 50 finalists. Dairies named as finalists submit herd management data and judges rank the finalists as platinum, gold, silver or bronze.

The 24 herds earning platinum, gold, silver or bronze will be invited to attend the DCRC Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 11-13, in Middleton, Wisconsin.

National Farmers Union announces launch of $25 million Farmers Capital Fund

National Farmers Union announced the launch of the Farmers Capital Fund, a $25 million investment initiative dedicated to supporting early- and growth-stage companies that accelerate agricultural productivity while advancing the economic success of family farmers and ranchers.

Administered in partnership with Open Prairie, a recognized leader in agricultural investment, the Farmers Capital Fund will focus on sectors ranging from ag tech and automation to conservation, efficiency and value-added food production. Investments will be guided by three core principles: economic sustainability, productivity and profitability, with an emphasis on solutions that reduce input costs, improve resource efficiency and expand market access for farmers.

California Milk Advisory Board announces transition in leadership

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced that CEO John Talbot will retire by the end of 2025 after more than a decade of leadership of the dairy marketing organization. Bob Carroll, CMAB’s current vice president of business development, has been selected as his successor.

Talbot joined the CMAB in 2014 and guided a multiyear evolution of the organization – implementing operational efficiencies and prioritizing a shift in mindset, driven by data, from a commodity orientation to a focus on building a culture of innovation. He articulated a new vision for the CMAB, to “Nourish the World with the Wholesome Goodness of Real California Milk” and put the people and processes in place to bring that vision to life, including hiring Bob Carroll to lead a team focused on retail, food service and international business development.

During his tenure, he envisioned and directed the creation of the California Dairy Innovation Center, supporting innovation at the product, processing and packaging level by tapping into California’s existing college and university systems and the Real California Milk Excelerator innovation competition, now in its sixth year, which has supported more than 50 startups using dairy ingredients in value-added brands. Under his leadership, CMAB expanded international market focus, adding personnel and shifting financial resources to grow export distribution of Real California Milk products to more than 580 items across at least a dozen countries. During this time, fluid milk exports were up 64%, and cheese exports expanded by 51%. To streamline focus and budgets, Talbot consolidated offices, retired the Real California Cheese seal and oversaw a shift in communications focus from national to local and an increased concentration on digital and social media.

Carroll joined CMAB in 2015 with a wealth of domestic and international consumer brand experience including leadership of international strategy and development efforts for Blue Diamond Growers and brand management for Kraft Foods. A U.S. Army veteran, Carroll’s strong leadership skills and expertise in brand marketing, corporate strategic planning and international market development helped to build a Business Development team focused on growth for California dairy at retail, in food service and across export markets in Mexico, Latin America and Asia.

Talbot and Carroll will work closely together during the transition period with Carroll assuming the role of CEO at the CMAB’s May board meeting. Talbot will continue at a reduced capacity over the balance of the year working on a variety of strategic projects.