ADC welcomes USDA ‘lawfare’ action including ESG demands on dairy farmers

‘Farmer data ownership must remain a national priority’

American Dairy Coalition (ADC) welcomes USDA’s announcement of a new partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework to address regulatory overreach, eminent domain, permitting issues, and it also specifically challenges ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) demands imposed on dairy farmers among its list of priorities. This is an important recognition of the concerns dairy farmers have been raising.

The July 2 agreement establishes a formal process, including a ‘Lawfare Submission Portal’ for farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses to report a range of regulatory complaints, identify patterns of government overreach, and pursue reforms across multiple federal agencies.

While the bulk of the July 2 announcement revolves around land ownership and property rights, USDA included within its list of “Lawfare Wins,” the effort to “challenge radical ESG demands being imposed on American dairy farmers by foreign-owned milk processors.”

“Farmers and ranchers are the foundation of a strong and thriving nation. The federal government has too often stood by as radical environmentalists targeted these hardworking citizens,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said during the announcement.

“This partnership sends a clear message: the federal government is done standing on the sidelines while producers are buried in red tape and abusive enforcement,” added Special Envoy for American Landowners John Rich.

The announcement comes as processors and supply chain participants increasingly request, audit, and benchmark detailed dairy farm-level operational, environmental, financial, and sustainability information—including farm field maps and access to internal herd management software like DairyComp—through initiatives such as the National Dairy FARM Program and other reporting frameworks developed through the dairy checkoff’s Innovation Center and Global Dairy Platform.

Earlier this year, ADC surveyed dairy farmers nationwide to better understand their concerns. More than three-quarters reported being asked to provide increasingly detailed farm data with the overwhelming majority characterizing these requests as “not voluntary.”

In addition, 87% had no formal data-sharing agreement, and the other 13% were unsure if one existed, while 92% were not compensated. All (100%) of respondents agreed that farmers should retain ownership and control of their proprietary information, and 85% responded ‘yes’ to the question: “Should USDA or Congress require transparency, limits, and fair compensation when farmer data is collected?”

ADC has since shared these survey findings with members of Congress and USDA officials as part of its ongoing policy work.

“We want farmers securely in the driver’s seat of ownership of their proprietary farm data, including meaningful control and transparency over how data are collected, aggregated, shared and ultimately monetized,” said ADC Dairy Market Analysis & Policy Advisor Sherry Bunting. “Farm data have become a valuable commodity in their own right. Dairy farmers create that value, and they deserve the same transparency, protections and economic opportunity that apply to other assets owned and generated by their farm businesses.”

Bunting said the issue extends beyond compliance paperwork.

“As agriculture becomes increasingly digital, farmers should not be expected to surrender valuable business information without informed consent, clear agreements, and an understanding of who benefits financially from its use. Maintaining market access and embracing innovation should not require giving up ownership or control of proprietary farm information,” she said.

ADC CEO Laurie Fischer noted USDA’s inclusion of ESG demands among its lawfare priorities reflects growing recognition that farm-generated data deserve the same consideration as other forms of private property.

“Farm security is national security,” Fischer said. “Farmer-generated data should be treated as a strategic agricultural asset, not governed by global sustainability agendas that often extend beyond U.S. law or policy. We appreciate USDA’s recognition that these issues deserve careful review and that farmers’ property rights include the use of information generated by their own operations.”

ADC will continue working with Congress, USDA and industry leaders to advance policies that ensure dairy farmers have transparency, ownership, informed consent, meaningful control and equitable value from the collection and use of their farm-generated and aggregated data while preserving access to domestic and international markets.

Farmers and ranchers may submit their concerns about ESG demands, data collection, land and property rights infringements, excessive red tape, permitting issues at the federal, state and local levels, eminent domain, and other examples directly to the USDA Lawfare Submission Portal here

Farmers who are uncomfortable submitting directly to the USDA portal may contact American Dairy Coalition’s confidential intake line and a member of the team will work with you. Call ADC at 1.920.288.2322 or email us at info@americandairycoalitioninc.com

Read the USDA / SBA partnership announcement here.