NMPF Board Votes to Support Risk Management Enhancements; Changes to Nonfat Dry Milk Standard of Identity

The National Milk Producers Federation Board of Directors has endorsed a package of proposed improvements to Dairy Margin Coverage and Dairy Revenue Protection, the risk management programs dairy farmers rely on most to protect their operations against market volatility. The Board also voted to support updating the federal standard of identity for nonfat dry milk to allow protein standardization, bringing the U.S. standard in line with the international Codex Alimentarius standard.

High Desert Milk, Inc. was approved as NMPF’s newest cooperative member. Based in Burley, Idaho, High Desert Milk processes 4.5 million pounds of milk a day into butter, cream cheese, nonfat dry milk, skim milk powder, buttermilk powder and milk protein concentrate.

New board members approved by the NMPF delegates include:

Satterwhite was also elected to NMPF’s Executive Committee, along with Dennis Rodenbaugh of Dairy Farmers of America.

Vermont dairy farmer Paul Doton of Agri-Mark, Inc., and Neil Hoff, a Texas dairyman and member-owner of Dairy Farmers of America, were awarded Honorary Directors for Life, recognizing their longtime service to the dairy industry.

The NMPF, National Dairy Board and United Dairy Industry Association Joint Annual Meeting kicked off today, featuring leadership remarks from NMPF Chairman Brian Rexing and President & CEO Gregg Doud. An expert panel on the future of dairy exports and a midterm election analysis from David Wasserman of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walters will also take center stage.

The meeting of 750 farmers and industry professionals will continue through Wednesday and include breakout sessions on industry topics ranging from the FARM Program to agricultural labor reform.

The annual meeting is held in conjunction with NMPF’s Young Cooperators Leadership and Development Program, as well as NMPF’s annual Dairy Product Contest. This year, 14 member cooperatives entered 2,400 pounds of cheese, yogurt, butter and other dairy products.