In the news as we wrap up March 2025:

Lee karen
Karen Lee
Managing Editor / Progressive Dairy

Feed additive legislation reintroduced in House

The Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act (H.R. 2203) was reintroduced in the House by Reps. Nick Langworthy (R-New York), Kim Schrier (D-Washington), Jim Baird (R-Indiana), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Erin Houchin (R-Indiana) and Jim Costa (D-California). It was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The bill is part of an ongoing effort to modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s process for reviewing and approving animal feed ingredient products that improve efficiency in meat and dairy production while also reducing byproducts to help the livestock industry better reach its climate goals.

According to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the bill made progress in the last Congress – passing out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions as an amendment to another bill and passing the Senate Appropriations Committee as part of a spending measure. However, the bill didn’t become law.

The bill will soon be reintroduced in the Senate as well.

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Chobani announces $500 million expansion in Idaho

Chobani announced plans for a $500 million expansion of its processing plant in Twin Falls, Idaho, where yogurt, oat milk and coffee creamers are produced.

The expansion, anticipated to begin construction immediately and be operational early 2026, is expected to increase the plant’s production by 50%. It will add over 500,000 square feet of new space and create a minimum of 160 new jobs. This expansion will bring the Twin Falls plant to 1.6 million square feet, featuring 24 production lines and employing over 1,200 people.

USDEC, NMPF sign partnership with Guatemalan dairy association

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and Guatemalan Dairy Development Association, ASODEL, signed a memorandum of understanding that will strengthen ties between the U.S. and Guatemalan dairy industries as they advocate for free and fair trade policies and promote greater dairy consumption.

The agreement outlines objectives aimed at strengthening communication and knowledge-sharing between the two industries, underscoring the economic and social significance of the dairy sector, and addressing trade barriers that negatively impact both producers and consumers alike.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in the U.S. dairy industry’s ongoing dedication to collaborating with and supporting our partners in Guatemala and throughout Latin America,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC.

“ASODEL is dedicated to improving the competitiveness and long-term viability of the Guatemala dairy industry,” said Ramiro Pérez, director general of ASODEL. “This collaboration with USDEC and NMPF strengthens our capacity to fulfill that mission, supporting not only our members but also Guatemalan consumers who rely on both domestic and imported dairy products.”

The agreement complements similar agreements USDEC and NMPF have made throughout Latin America, including with the Colombian Association of Dairy Industry (Asoleche), Sociedad Rural Argentina, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Chilean Federacion Nacional de Productores de Leche (Fedeleche).

World Dairy Expo recognizes influential dairy leaders

World Dairy Expo announced the recipients of the 2025 Expo Recognition Awards. Nominated and selected by their peers, these individuals have made remarkable contributions to the dairy industry and their communities. Honorees will be celebrated during the Recognition Awards Banquet at World Dairy Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 1. Banquet tickets will be available online beginning on July 1.

Dairy Producers of the Year

Ken, Mike, Tom, Dave and Clay McCarty, McCarty Family Farms, Rexford, Kansas

As fourth generation dairy farmers, McCarty Family Farms doesn’t take “feeding the world” lightly and strives to use their farm as a force for good. For them, that means producing high-quality milk while prioritizing animal welfare, regenerative farming and implementing impactful business practices for their team and community. McCarty Family Farms exemplifies a modern dairy farm and continues to set the standard in social and environmental performance.

Recognized as the world’s largest registered herd of Holsteins, the family milks 15,000 cows across four sites in Kansas with an additional 4,000 cow herd at MVP Dairy in Ohio. To support farm growth, their dairy processing plant was recently updated to include ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis technologies. McCarty Family Farms produces Non-GMO Project-verified milk for Danone North America. Cow care and comfort are paramount at each of the milking facilities, ensuring the health and productivity of the herd.

Industry Person of the Year

Jim Mulhern, former president and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation, Arlington, Virginia

When it comes to industry-wide recognitions and lifetime achievement awards, making contributions far beyond one’s required duties often is considered a bellwether for selecting a winner. To that end, Jim Mulhern has worked tirelessly on behalf of U.S. dairy farm families to bring about positive change during every step of his career journey, all while founded in servant leadership principles.

Mulhern delivered numerous positive results for America’s diligent dairy farmers by working behind the scenes to have conversations explaining many of dairy’s dynamic and deep issues to elected leaders and policymakers. His work has made lasting impacts on dairy and ag policy, and his colleagues routinely say his kindness, hard work and collaborative nature are unmatched in policy circles.

International Person of the Year

Juan F. Moreno, CEO and co-founder of STgenetics, Colombia/Navasota, Texas

Few individuals have left as indelible a mark in the annals of agricultural innovation as Juan F. Moreno. His journey from humble beginnings on a Colombian cattle farm to revolutionizing the global livestock industry is a testament to the power of vision, perseverance and groundbreaking technology, showcasing his exceptional determination and innovation. As the founder and CEO of Sexing Technologies (ST), Moreno has spearheaded advancements that have fundamentally altered the landscape of animal breeding, turning what was once deemed impossible into everyday practice for farmers worldwide.

His contributions, such as pioneering gender-sorted semen technology and introducing EcoFeed, have reshaped dairy and beef production economics and addressed critical global food security and sustainability challenges. With a career spanning decades and innovations that continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in reproductive biotechnology, Moreno stands as a titan in an industry he has helped redefine, solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in agricultural science.

PDCA announces changes to Show Ring Code of Ethics, Showmanship Guidelines and Unified Scorecard

The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA) board of directors unanimously approved changes to the PDCA Show Ring Code of Ethics, the PDCA Showmanship Guidelines and Dairy Cow Unified Scorecard during their board meetings last December.

“These changes are the first that have been made in a decade,” states outgoing PDCA board president, Neal Smith, who represents the Jersey Association.” These guidelines are useful tools not only for our dairy youth exhibitors, but also the individuals who serve as official judges. Changes to the Unified Scorecard, used as a unified teaching tool, reflect the desired characteristics of each of the seven dairy breeds.”

Notable revisions and updates to these documents include:

PDCA Show Ring Code of Ethics

  • Topline hair length increased from 1 inch to 1.5 inches allowed
  • Teat setting, overbagging and misrepresentation of animal’s lactation were each addressed specifically

PDCA Showmanship Guidelines

  • Refined language regarding how leadsperson is to hold halter strap
  • Specific direction for leadspersons as they enter the show ring, set up their animal once in the show ring and switch animals during competition

PDCA Showmanship Evaluation Card

  • Slight discrimination for “sidesteps when leading calf” has been changed to moderate discrimination on the Showmanship Evaluation Scorecard as has “failure to stop and set up your animal appropriately at the judge’s request.”

Dairy Unified Scorecard

  • Rear Feet and Legs category, allowed 20%, will now be Feet and Legs – 20%
  • Equal weight will now be given to rear udder and fore udder with equal point values of 7 points each
  • Mature Cow in Milk Average Weights have been adjusted to align with current breed characteristics
  • Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn True Type images were updated

These changes took effect on March 1. The updated 2025 editions of the Show Ring Code of Ethics, Showmanship Guidelines, Showmanship Evaluation Scorecard and Unified Scorecard are available on PDCA’s website. To see the context within which changes were made and specific language that was modified, click on the copies of each document named “Revisions Highlighted,” also found on PDCA’s website under the literature tab.