The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released their Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) final decision on Nov. 12, which will be voted on by dairy producers in a referendum before the end of the year. Ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 31.

On July 1, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released its recommended decision, which proposes to amend the pricing provisions in the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). This follows the record-breaking 49-day hearing process that began in August 2023 and concluded in late January 2024.

Collaboration across species, proactively building relationships with elected officials on all levels and continuing trust-building efforts were three key takeaways echoed throughout the 2024 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, held May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Positive momentum will be key for the prosperity of the Canadian dairy industry, as it is approaching processing, innovation and policy challenges – compounded by the constant need to modernize facilities, systems and software – that will require integrated action from players across the industry.

It has now been more than a year since Canada’s new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle was published. With only a few exceptions, the requirements of the new code came into effect on April 1, 2024. How can our industry live up to the new standards it has set for itself in this code?

During a week that will be remembered for its frigid below-zero temperatures and added weather complications on the farm, more than 450 farmers and allied industry professionals traveled to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the Dairy Strong Conference, held Jan. 16-18, 2024.

Progressive Dairy visited with Jim Mulhern on the Progressive Dairy Podcast shortly before he retired in December from his role as president and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF).