Michigan Milk Producers Association, IDFA Host Sen. Elissa Slotkin at Ovid Dairy Facility for Tour, Industry Roundtable

Visit Highlights Dairy Industry Growth and Need for Policies that Support Nutrition, Trade and Workforce Development.

The Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA)  and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) welcomed Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) to Ovid, Michigan, for a tour of MMPA’s recently expanded milk ultrafiltration facility and a roundtable discussion with dairy leaders representing IDFA member companies across the dairy supply chain. The visit brought together dairy farmers, processors, cooperatives, retailers and suppliers to discuss the industry’s growing economic impact and the policy priorities necessary to ensure continued growth and innovation in Michigan and across the country.

The dairy industry continues to invest in new processing capacity, advanced manufacturing technologies and innovative value-added products that strengthen America’s food system and create jobs in rural communities. Dairy processors have announced more than $13 billion in new processing capacity expected to come online by 2028, including $1.38 billion in the state of Michigan. These investments reflect growing consumer demand for dairy products and underscore the importance of policies that support nutrition, trade and workforce development.

“Dairy companies are investing billions of dollars in communities across the country to meet growing consumer demand for nutritious dairy foods both at home and abroad,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of IDFA. “To sustain this growth, policymakers must continue supporting nutrition programs that leverage dairy’s health benefits, pursue trade policies that expand opportunities for U.S. dairy exports and address workforce challenges that impact food manufacturing and agriculture.”

The tour included MMPA’s ultrafiltration expansion in Ovid, a significant investment that reflects growing demand for innovative high protein dairy products. Industry leaders participating in the roundtable discussed how continued investment in processing and production infrastructure helps strengthen domestic food manufacturing, create jobs and increase the global competitiveness of U.S. dairy.

“MMPA dairy farmer members are committed to producing nutritious, high-quality milk, and investments like our ultrafiltration expansion in Ovid help position their milk to meet growing consumer demand,” said Joe Diglio, president and CEO of MMPA. “For our member-owners to continue investing, innovating and growing, we need policies that strengthen access to dairy nutrition, expand opportunities for U.S. dairy in global markets and support a reliable workforce throughout the dairy supply chain. We appreciate Senator Slotkin taking the time to visit our Ovid facility, hear directly from Michigan’s dairy community and better understand what is needed to continue building on the momentum we’re seeing today.”

“Michigan dairy farmers work hard every single day to feed families here at home and across the country, and they are a cornerstone of our rural economy,” said U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. “During my visit to Ovid, I saw firsthand how Michigan’s dairy industry is investing in new technology, expanding processing capacity, and creating jobs in our communities. As we strengthen Michigan’s economy, we need to make sure dairy producers have the workforce, infrastructure, and reliable access to markets they need to compete, grow, and keep Michigan’s dairy industry strong.”

The roundtable brought together leaders from IDFA, MMPA and other IDFA member companies representing the full dairy value chain to discuss the future of dairy and its contribution to Michigan’s economy. During the discussion, IDFA highlighted the importance of the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program (DNIP), which is included in both the House-passed Farm Bill and legislation pending before the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Slotkin is a sponsor of the legislation, which would expand SNAP purchase incentives to include additional dairy products such as cheese and yogurt while restoring incentives for whole and 2% milk, helping families access more nutrient-dense foods and address longstanding dairy and nutrient intake gaps. In addition to DNIP, participants emphasized additional key priorities for policymakers including:

• Strengthening federal nutrition programs and policies that give consumers and students greater access to nutrient-dense dairy foods
• Passing a Farm Bill that strengthens dairy’s safety net, supports rural economic growth and expands market opportunities for farmers and manufacturers
• Increasing international market opportunities through strong trade enforcement and new export market opportunities
• Addressing workforce shortages by advancing practical labor and immigration solutions that support labor needs on farm production and food manufacturing

“We are especially grateful to Senator Slotkin for taking the time to visit this facility and engage directly with dairy leaders,” added Dykes. “Opportunities like this are invaluable because they allow policymakers to see firsthand the innovation, investment and economic activity driving today’s dairy industry – and to better understand the many ways dairy contributes to public health, food security, rural communities, American manufacturing and our nation’s economy. We appreciate her commitment to solutions that support continued growth across American agriculture and the dairy industry.”

To learn more about the state of dairy, visit www.idfa.org.