Trade Policy in Action: USMCA and Dairy

Thursday, April 23, 2026 2-3 p.m. ET

Join NMPF for a webinar exploring the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and what it means for dairy. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the agreement’s history, current status, ongoing challenges and next steps, along with an economic analysis of its effects on U.S. dairy markets. Hear directly from U.S. dairy companies about how USMCA has shaped the industry and gain insights into NMPF’s priorities for reauthorization. Whether you’re a dairy farmer, cooperative staff member or industry stakeholder, this webinar will help you understand the real-world impact of trade policy on U.S. dairy.

Michael Lichte is Dairy Farmers of America’s Chief Insights and Optimization Officer. In this role, he leads the development and execution of the organization’s strategic plan, driving performance by aligning business units around focused, collaborative initiatives. Since joining DFA in 2004, he has held a variety of leadership roles spanning customer relations, international business development, general management of the dairy powders business, ingredient sales and operations planning, and milk optimization.

Janeth Diaz is Sartori Company’s Global Sales and Marketing Strategist. In this role, she leads global growth initiatives, focusing on expanding the company’s presence across international markets and strengthening go-to-market strategies. With more than 15 years of experience in product marketing, sales strategy and international business development, she has built a strong track record of scaling consumer goods brands in export-driven environments.

Jaime Castaneda is NMPF’s Executive Vice President for Policy and Strategy. In this role, he oversees the organization’s domestic policy initiatives as well as international trade. He also provides government relations and advocacy support for the U.S. Dairy Export Council, leading the U.S. dairy industry in international trade negotiations. In his more than 35-year career in agriculture, he has held policy positions with USDA, the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy, and poultry and pharmaceutical industries.

Shawna Morris serves as Executive Vice President of Trade Policy and Global Affairs at NMPF. In this role she leads the organization’s efforts to advance beneficial dairy trade policies through work with the U.S. and foreign governments as well as with domestic and international allied organizations to maximize U.S. dairy export opportunities, promote a more balanced playing global field for the U.S. dairy sector, and address policy-related barriers to the sale of their dairy products around the world.

Tony Rice serves as the Trade Policy Director at NMPF, where he leads efforts to develop, implement and communicate strategies that support U.S. dairy exports. His work focuses on advancing policies that enhance export opportunities, eliminating those that hinder trade and tackling international barriers to U.S. dairy sales. He collaborates closely with the U.S. Dairy Export Council in these efforts. In addition, Tony oversees supply chain policy for both organizations.

This session is intended for cooperative staff, dairy farmers and associate members of NMPF. Participation in this webinar and other members-only activities is limited to staff, board members and farmer-owners of NMPF cooperative members, as well as staff and board members of NMPF associate members. Participants must list their cooperative or associate member affiliation when registering to confirm eligibility. NMPF reserves the right to deny registration or participation to ineligible individuals. Please contact us at info@nmpf.org for information about becoming an NMPF member.

This webinar will not be recorded due to the sensitivity of the topic and to ensure a safe space for open discussion.

Registration