Year: 2026

More Than Any State or Country Wisconsin dairy artisans earn 135 awards, including 44 best of class honors, more than any state or country, and more than the next five highest-earning competitors combined at the 2026 World Championship Cheese Contest. The [Read More …]

Affordable Nutrition? Dairy Delivers

A public service announcement: In 2026, when it comes to nutrition and affordability, dairy is tough to beat. A look at consumer price data since 2023 shows dairy products staying affordable even as rising [Read More …]

79th Alice in Dairyland Top Candidates Announced

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced the six top candidates to become the 79th Alice in Dairyland. The top candidates are Faith Baerwolf, Kelly Herness, Gabrielle Huitema, Jessica Moor, [Read More …]

Insights on Preventing Manure Spills, Strategies for Healthy Eating

Producers can interact with leading experts in webinar series This week’s episodes of The Dairy Signal® from Professional Dairy Producers® (PDP) will bring sessions from the 2026 PDP Business Conference to dairy producers around the [Read More …]

Northeast Dairy Leaders To Gather for Regional Innovation Summit in Albany

Dairy farmers, processors, and stakeholders from across the region are gathering in Albany, NY for the Northeast Dairy Innovation Summit on March 10-11. Hosted by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC), the Summit offers workshops on Dairy Farm Innovation [Read More …]

IDFA and NMPF Send Letter to West Virginia State Legislature Regarding Added Sugars Legislation

IDFA and NMPF sent a letter today requesting that milk, yogurt, and cheese be explicitly exempted from the added sugar limits proposed in legislation currently being considered by the West Virginia state legislature. ******* Dear [Read More …]

Another Growth Product for the Dairy Industry, A2 Milk

After reading the headline, many readers are probably wondering “Why is this a growing category of milk?” This post will cover some of the reasons that this is a growing category. Unlike the growth of [Read More …]

Winter Injury and Spring Assessment of Alfalfa

As alfalfa breaks dormancy this spring, take time to evaluate the condition of your stand. Early springtime, after alfalfa has broken dormancy, is an excellent time to evaluate the effect of winter injury on your [Read More …]

IDFA Statement on House Agriculture Committee Passage of 2026 Farm Bill

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee today advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (Farm Bill), legislation that would expand dairy nutrition incentives in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and strengthen key [Read More …]

Middle East Conflict Sends Ripples Through Dairy Trade

The T.C. Jacoby Weekly Market Report Week Ending March 6, 2026 It has been a dramatic and volatile week, both in and out of the dairy markets. All eyes have been on the developing conflict [Read More …]

Netherlands Wins World Champion Title with Beemster Royaal Grand Cru

After three days of intense competition, a rich, nutty, cow’s milk cheese has been named the 2026 World Champion Cheese. The cheese, Beemster Royaal Grand Cru, is made by CONO Kaasmakers in Westbeemster, Netherlands. With [Read More …]

NMPF Applauds House Agriculture Committee for Advancing Farm Bill with Dairy Wins

The National Milk Producers Federation thanked members of the House Agriculture Committee for advancing a farm bill in Congress, noting the bipartisan approval of a plan introduced by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA, that contains provisions important to dairy farmers and their cooperatives. “We [Read More …]

CDCB: More Frequent Genetic Evaluations are in the Future

On a yearly basis, Breed Base Representation (BBR) undergoes a reference population update. This routine update refreshes the reference population using the current eligibility rules, incorporating newly qualifying animals and removing those that no longer meet the criteria. These [Read More …]

O’Brien Announces Planned Retirement As President, CEO of Dairy Management Inc.

Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, announced she will retire at the end of her five-year term this fall. O’Brien was unanimously approved by [Read More …]

NASDA applauds advancement of bipartisan farm bill and urges swift floor consideration

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney issued the following statement after the U.S. House Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee: “NASDA supports [Read More …]

Nicki Hardy joins Animal Agriculture Alliance as manager, partnerships and programs

Emily Ellis, Grace Simpson take on expanded roles in marketing and membership The Animal Agriculture Alliance recently announced changes to its staff structure to position the organization for enhanced growth in program development and member [Read More …]

Ayache on sustainability at EU-U.S. Ag Policy Seminar

Nicole Ayache, chief sustainability officer for NMPF, joins the EU-U.S. Agriculture Policy Seminar series on March 12 to discuss how modern U.S. dairy farmers remain sustainable and successful working within the changing U.S. policy context. [Read More …]

Cornerstone Dairy Academy Honors Eighteen Graduating Dairy Farmers and Industry Professionals

Upon successfully completing all three pillars of Cornerstone Dairy Academy?, eighteen dairy farmers and industry professionals were honored as the program’s 2026 graduates. The application-based leadership-development program is designed to build the skills of dairy [Read More …]

Dairy Preparedness in the Face of New World Screwworm

Monday, March 16, 2026 2-3 p.m. ET Join NMPF and the National Dairy FARM Program for an hour-long webinar covering the latest on New World screwworm. Learn about the current situation, potential impacts on the [Read More …]

Join Us for Free Animal Care Workshops at a Location Near You This March & April

We’re Back on the Farm For Hands-on Training Dairy producers, do you want to boost your skills in animal care this spring? You and your entire team are invited to free, on-farm Animal Care Workshops! [Read More …]

Improving Cattle Production Efficiency and Health Through Breeding and Probiotics

Calf digestive issues can be a substantial hindrance to livestock health and productivity in the U.S dairy and beef industries. SARE-funded research conducted by Peixin Fan may provide insights on microbiome-guided strategies that offer beef [Read More …]

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation Impacts Thousands

The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation has released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting the organization’s efforts to grow Wisconsin agriculture through agricultural literacy, leadership development and supporting Wisconsin farmers. This comprehensive report showcases the Foundation’s commitment to creating informed consumers, engaged leaders and strong farmers. “The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation [Read More …]

Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation awards five scholarships for PDP Cornerstone Dairy Academy

Five students accepted into the 2026 PDP Cornerstone Dairy Academy? earned a scholarship to the program from the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation (WROF). Recipients include Kaylee Ferfecki, Cecil, Wis.; Matthew Fischer, Owen, Wis.; Reagan Kime, [Read More …]

Solar’s threat to NYS agriculture may be overstated

New York state farmers who signed large-scale solar leases were three times more likely to say they’ll use the revenue from solar to invest in their farms than to reduce operations, according to a new [Read More …]

USDA Dairy Purchases Match NMPF Request

USDA took steps to boost low milk prices and expand dairy consumption through $148 million in Section 32 purchases announced Feb. 19, pledging to buy a balanced, effectively targeted mix of dairy products, including the [Read More …]

Farm Credit Mid-America to Return $280 Million to Customer-Owners in March 2026

Patronage distribution in March brings the total capital returned over the past decade to more than $1.75 billion. At a time when farmers continue to navigate tight margins, elevated input costs and ongoing market uncertainty, [Read More …]

Farmer sentiment rebounds, but future expectations continue to slide

Farmer sentiment improved modestly in February, as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose by 3 points from January to a reading of 116. The increase was driven by a stronger assessment of current conditions; the [Read More …]

New Trade Deals Include Key Dairy Priorities

Following significant engagement from NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the United States signed new trade agreements in February with Indonesia, Taiwan, Argentina and Bangladesh that strengthen export opportunities for America’s dairy farmers. These [Read More …]

Annual Scholarship Program Now Open for Students Pursuing Careers in Dairy

The PA Dairymen’s Association and Dairy Excellence Foundation Are Offering Twelve $3,000 Scholarships The annual Student Leader Scholarship program is now open for undergraduate students, including college students and high school seniors, who are pursuing [Read More …]

FDA Finalizes Cottage Cheese Exemption