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    <title>Policy Updates</title>
    <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/topics/policy-updates</link>
    <description>Policy Updates</description>
    <language>en-US</language>
    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:01:57 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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      <title>Reciprocity and Balance: The New Blueprint for U.S. Agricultural Trade Agreements</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/reciprocity-and-balance-new-blueprint-u-s-agricultural-trade-agreements</link>
      <description>&lt;div class="RichTextArticleBody RichTextBody"&gt;
    
        Ambassador Julie Callahan is the chief ag negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative, and she reports positive momentum toward rebuilding trade agreements equating to a positive U.S. ag trade balance.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“We came into a situation in January 2025 where the US ag trade deficit was ballooning in a really unsustainable manner,” she says.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;At the beginning of 2025, USDA forecasted a $50 billion deficit for U.S. agricultral trade.&lt;br&gt;
    
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        “Compare that to an agricultural trade surplus in 2020 when President Trump left office, of a $6 billion surplus. So we were $56 billion in the hole, you might say, at the beginning of the administration, but through the efforts of the president ensuring trading partners understand they need to treat U.S. farmers and ranchers right, we are seeing real shifts in our trade balance and chipping away at the deficit toward a surplus.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;
    
        &lt;h3&gt;Trade Wins Highlighted by Government Officials&lt;/h3&gt;
    
        &lt;br&gt;Callahan points to eight signed trade agreements with: Malaysia, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Argentina, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Indonesia. She says these are binding agreements, where the foreign governments are:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul class="rte2-style-ul" id="rte-5dc6a740-18c5-11f1-b4d8-1bbabf5fc21a"&gt;&lt;li&gt;lowering tariffs for U.S. ag products&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;removing unfair trade practices&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;and lifting regulatory barriers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;“These are serious binding trade agreements that will deliver real value for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Callahan says. And when asked if Congressional action to codify agreements is necessary, Callahan says that action would be supported but should not be necessary.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“These foreign governments have made binding commitments in terms of adjusting tariff schedules, they are also making regulatory changes. USTR will be enforcing these agreements. They are enforceable.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Examples of enforceable commitments include:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul class="rte2-style-ul" id="rte-5dc6a741-18c5-11f1-b4d8-1bbabf5fc21a"&gt;&lt;li&gt;Indonesia removes its import licensing requirements&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Malaysia accepts facilities on their registration list as long as FSIS has them on their list&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;
    
        &lt;h3&gt;The Future of the U.S./China Trade Relationship&lt;/h3&gt;
    
        &lt;br&gt;At the 2026 Top Producer Summit, Lyu Jiang, minister for economic and commercial affairs at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., characterized the U.S. and Chinese relationship being a phase of stabilization.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;When prompted to react, Callahan agreed saying, “We very much want a stable, predictable, transactional relationship with our Chinese counterparts. We do want to normalize, bring reciprocity and balance back to our trade relationship and ensure that U.S. farmers, and ranchers can benefit from the Chinese market again.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;She says her office is balancing the agricultural stakeholders wanting access to the large-scale Chinese market with a strategy to also diversify trade partnerships as to not be too reliant on a single country.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“We are working through the agreement on reciprocal trade to diversify our markets so we don’t overly rely on China,” she says. “We are looking to address that very serious situation where China may see agriculture as a pain point for the United States.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;With the upcoming meeting of President Trump and President Xi in April, Callahan says her team and the larger U.S. trade team is working to prepare and set the stage for a positive outcome. Callahan points to specific issues to be worked through and market focuses spanning crops and livestock.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Both sides want the meetings to be a success,” she says. “Certainly, in the meetings leading up to the president level discussion, we will be having open and frank conversations with China where we need to see areas of improvement. That’s not limited to soybeans to sorghum. Our beef producers don’t have access to China due to China’s unfortunate actions that are not renewing facility registrations.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;
    
        &lt;h3&gt;The Review of USMCA&lt;/h3&gt;
    
        &lt;br&gt;With a goal of “reciprocity and balance across north America” the trade team is working on its review of the North American trade deal.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“We absolutely understand the importance of USMCA for U.S. farmers and ranchers,” Callahan says.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Describing this as a “comprehensive review” she says that spans:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul class="rte2-style-ul" id="rte-5dc6a742-18c5-11f1-b4d8-1bbabf5fc21a"&gt;&lt;li&gt;Look at what is working&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Maintain what is working&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Improve on areas not be delivering the benefits U.S. farmers and ranchers expect&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;She brings up the overall trade balance with Canada and specifically, Canadian dairy.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“With Canada, we went from a $3 billion deficit in 2020 and now we have an $11 billion ag trade deficit. So there are certainly areas for improvement, and we’re taking all of our stakeholders’ comments into consideration,” Callahan says.&lt;br&gt;
    
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      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:01:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/reciprocity-and-balance-new-blueprint-u-s-agricultural-trade-agreements</guid>
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      <title>Senators Reintroduce DAIRY PRIDE Act to Crack Down on Misleading Dairy Labels</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/senators-reintroduce-dairy-pride-act-crack-down-misleading-dairy-labels</link>
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        In a renewed effort to crack down on what dairy advocates call misleading and unfair labeling practices, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators has reintroduced legislation to prevent plant-based products from using dairy terms like milk, cheese and yogurt.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;On Tuesday, Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Peter Welch, D-Vt., announced the reintroduction of the Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act, or DAIRY PRIDE Act, of 2025.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The bill requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce its own standards of identity for dairy products, which define milk and other dairy foods as being derived from cows, goats or sheep. Despite these standards, FDA’s 2023 draft guidance currently allows plant-based products made from nuts, seeds or grains to continue using dairy terms on their packaging.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Wisconsin is known across the world as America’s Dairyland because our hardworking dairy farmers produce the best products with the highest nutritional value,” Baldwin says. “But for far too long, imitation dairy products made from plants and nuts have ridden the coattails of our dairy farmers. I’m proud to work with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to settle this once and for all.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Risch adds, “Dairy comes from cows, goats and sheep, not almonds. Plant-based products’ misleading branding is a disservice to consumers and the farmers who dedicate their lives to making the nutritious dairy products Idahoans enjoy.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The legislation would require FDA to issue updated guidance on enforcement within 90 days and report back to Congress within two years. It is widely supported by national and regional dairy groups, including the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Midwest Dairy Coalition and Idaho Dairymen’s Association, among others.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Industry Applauds Legislative Action&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Dairy organizations welcomed the bill as a move toward restoring fairness in the marketplace.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“When consumers buy products labeled as milk or cheese, they’re expecting delicious, nutritious foods made with the goodness of real dairy — not nuts, peas or beans,” says John Umhoefer, executive director of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. “We applaud Senator Tammy Baldwin and the bipartisan Congressional coalition behind the DAIRY PRIDE Act.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Gregg Doud, NMPF president and CEO, called FDA’s failure to enforce its own standards harmful to public health and confusing for consumers.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“It’s time to get rid of FDA’s 2023 guidance on labeling imitator beverages and replace it with straightforward policy that makes FDA enforce its own dairy standards of identity,” Doud says.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Continued Consumer Confusion&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;The argument central to the bill is one of nutritional transparency. Dairy groups contend that allowing non-dairy alternatives to use traditional dairy terms implies a nutritional equivalency that doesn’t exist.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Medical groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, agree that it’s a problem when products mislead consumers by using dairy terms to imply that they provide dairy’s unique nutritional profile, when nothing could be further from the truth,” according to NMPF.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Heidi Fischer, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative president, echoed that sentiment, noting the bill protects consumer trust and supports the integrity of dairy labels.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“We encourage timely action on this bill to prevent further misleading product names on our grocery store coolers and shelves,” she says.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Broad Bipartisan Support&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;In addition to Baldwin, Risch, Collins and Welch, the 2025 DAIRY PRIDE Act is also cosponsored by Senators Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Angus King, I-Maine, Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Supporters argue that this broad coalition reflects the widespread impact dairy farming has on rural economies and nutrition policy alike.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Idaho dairy farmers have worked hard for generations to provide real, safe and wholesome dairy products,” says Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. “Allowing plant-based alternatives to use dairy terms misleads consumers and undermines the work of our family farms.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If passed, the DAIRY PRIDE Act would require FDA to enforce its own legal definitions for dairy terms and issue updated guidance within 90 days, formally reserving labels like milk, cheese and yogurt for animal-derived products. The agency would also need to report back to Congress within two years, outlining its enforcement progress and demonstrating accountability.
    
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      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:12:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/senators-reintroduce-dairy-pride-act-crack-down-misleading-dairy-labels</guid>
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      <title>HELP Act Seeks Relief for Livestock Haulers</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/help-act-seeks-relief-livestock-haulers</link>
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        The 
    
        &lt;span class="LinkEnhancement"&gt;&lt;a class="Link" href="https://hurd.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/hurd.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/help-act-text.pdf " target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Hauling Exemptions for Livestock Protection (HELP) Act&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
    
        , HR 4500, was introduced July 17 and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The HELP Act would allow truck drivers who haul livestock, insects and aquatic animals to be permanently exempt from Hours-of-Service (HOS) requirements in order to accommodate the unique and ever-changing needs of the live cargo they are carrying. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The bill builds on previous temporary exemptions given to livestock haulers during COVID.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“These provisions regulating livestock haulers have proven time and time again to be unnecessary and burdensome,” says Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd in a 
    
        &lt;span class="LinkEnhancement"&gt;&lt;a class="Link" href="https://hurd.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hurd-leads-legislation-providing-important-regulatory-relief-americas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;press release&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
    
        . “Live animals have unique care needs and require flexibility to be safely transported along the supply chain. Frequent road closures and adverse weather makes this flexibility especially important in Colorado. The HELP Act provides this critical regulatory relief and allows haulers to continue delivering for our producers and food supply safely and effectively, as they’ve shown for over two years during the pandemic.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its support of the legislation.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“When you are hauling cattle, you are dealing with livestock that must be protected from the elements and cannot be easily unloaded until you get to your destination. Livestock haulers need flexibility to complete their trips free from government mandates,” says NCBA policy division chair Skye Krebs, an Oregon rancher who hauls livestock and holds a commercial driver’s license. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, haulers and ranchers like me were granted additional flexibility on hours of service and electronic logging devices. In that time, we proved we could safely transport our livestock and also support the overall supply chain.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The HELP Act codifies HOS and ELD exemptions that were issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for about two years during the pandemic. Since then, America’s livestock haulers have been burdened by HOS rules again, but this legislation would reinstate permanent exemptions — providing the flexibility necessary to safely transport livestock.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Anyone who has spent time around agriculture knows livestock require unique care and flexibility,” says Rep. Tracey Mann from Kansas, who joins Hurd in leading the legislation. “The Department of Transportation’s hours of service and electronic logging device rules fail to take that reality into account and puts unnecessary burdens on livestock, livestock haulers and the nation’s food supply chain as a whole. Our bill rolls back these burdensome regulations and gives our nation’s livestock haulers the flexibility they need to keep our food supply chain strong.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Last week, FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced they are withdrawing a proposed rule to mandate speed limiters in trucks. This 
    
        &lt;span class="LinkEnhancement"&gt;&lt;a class="Link" href="https://www.ncba.org/news-media/news/details/43607/ncba-supports-withdrawal-of-harmful-speed-limiter-rule" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;announcement&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
    
         was welcome news for livestock haulers, but HOS and ELD mandates continue to pose a threat to drivers.&lt;br&gt;
    
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      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:26:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/help-act-seeks-relief-livestock-haulers</guid>
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      <title>New Bipartisan Bill Could Unlock More Milk Choices for WIC Participants</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/new-bipartisan-bill-could-unlock-more-milk-choices-wic-participants</link>
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        A new bipartisan effort in Congress is taking aim at current milk restrictions in the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program, offering families greater flexibility and access to the nutritious milk options they already use at home.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This week, U.S. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Chris Deluzio (PA-17) introduced the Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk Into the Lives of Kids (GIVE MILK) Act, legislation designed to allow WIC participants over the age of 2 to purchase 2%, reduced fat or whole milk through the program.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Currently, WIC guidelines restrict milk purchases to nonfat or 1% options, a policy many argue is outdated with both consumer preferences and nutritional science.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“For more than a decade, whole milk has been wrongfully dubbed as unhealthy, but in reality, it provides a wealth of essential nutrients that are particularly important for children,” says Rep. Thompson. “Including whole milk in the WIC program will provide a healthy option for those families who find themselves depending upon these benefits for access to essential nutrition.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Deluzio emphasizes the importance of giving families choice.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Parents should have the freedom to choose what kind of milk they bring home to their families,” Deluzio says. “Yet the WIC program doesn’t allow parents to buy whole or 2% milk. I’m proud to co-lead the GIVE MILK Act with Congressman Thompson to fix this, giving the full range of milk options to families in Pennsylvania and across the country.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Widespread Industry Support&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;The legislation is drawing strong support from leading voices in the dairy industry.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“WIC plays a vital role in ensuring that pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children can gain the nutrients needed for health and development,” says Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). “Reduced-fat and whole milk are the most popular milk options in the U.S., so it’s common sense to allow these healthful, popular options to be purchased through WIC.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Michael Dykes, DVM, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), points to consumer data that supports the bill’s direction.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Recent national polling conducted by IDFA and Morning Consult shows that 91% of parents serve their children whole or 2% milk at home,” Dykes says. “Yet current WIC rules don’t allow them to choose preferred options like whole and 2% milk — options that provide the same important nutrients as all fluid milk, including calcium, protein and key vitamins.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Dykes praises the GIVE MILK Act as a “common-sense fix” that strengthens WIC’s reach and helps make the program more attractive to eligible mothers and children.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Boost for Pennsylvania’s Dairy Industry&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;The bill also carries particular significance in Pennsylvania, where dairy is a major economic driver.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“We are pleased to see Representatives Thompson and Deluzio re-introduce the GIVE MILK Act,” says Bailey Fisher, federal affairs specialist at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. “Their leadership on this bill is especially meaningful, given how significantly the dairy industry contributes to Pennsylvania’s agricultural economy.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“This crucial bill is another step toward offering children whole and 2% milk — some of the most wholesome and nutritious beverages available,” Fisher adds. “It’s a common-sense piece of legislation that will result in healthier children and help sustain our local family dairy farms.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Looking Ahead&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;If passed, the GIVE MILK Act would mark a significant change for the WIC program, aligning it more closely with both consumer behavior and updated nutrition science. Supporters say it’s a long-overdue step toward ensuring families get to decide which milk works best for them.&lt;br&gt;
    
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      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2025 18:48:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/new-bipartisan-bill-could-unlock-more-milk-choices-wic-participants</guid>
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      <title>Scoop of Change: U.S. Ice Cream Makers Pledge to Eliminate Artificial Colors by 2028</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/scoop-change-u-s-ice-cream-makers-pledge-eliminate-artificial-colors-2028</link>
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        For generations, ice cream has been more than just a dessert, it’s been a centerpiece of celebration, a comfort food and a shared American tradition. Now, an industrywide pledge aims to keep it wholesome too. The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), in collaboration with more than 90% of U.S. ice cream makers, has announced a voluntary commitment to eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream made with real milk by Dec. 31, 2027.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;As part of this initiative, companies will phase out colors like Red 3, Red 40, Green 3, Blue 1, Blue 2, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 from their ice cream and frozen dairy desserts. The move is in response to shifting consumer expectations and evolving state and federal policies, which are increasingly pushing for food to be made with more natural ingredients.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“I am proud of ice cream makers and dairy foods companies for stepping up for American families by making this voluntary commitment to provide ice cream and frozen dairy treats without certified artificial colors,” says Michael Dykes, DVM, president and CEO of IDFA. “Americans are passionate about their ice cream, and the IDFA Ice Cream Commitment will ensure wholesome, indulgent ice cream products made with real milk from American dairy farmers remain a special part of our lives as state and federal policies evolve.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The announcement was made at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., in celebration of National Ice Cream Day, which falls on Sunday, July 20. Dignitaries including Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary joined the IDFA and ice cream enthusiasts to mark the occasion.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“I appreciate IDFA members for spearheading this new initiative and finding ways to promote President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again agenda,” Rollins says. “Each one of these endeavors helps families make better choices and pursue healthier lives.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The initiative was recognized as a forward-looking step that aligns with broader public health goals and growing consumer demand for transparency and simplicity in food ingredients.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“I applaud the International Dairy Foods Association for stepping up to eliminate certified artificial colors,” Kennedy adds. “The American people have made it clear — they want real food, without chemicals. Together, we will make America healthy again.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This pledge builds on other recent IDFA commitments aimed at schools, such as removing certified artificial colors from milk, cheese and yogurt by July 2026, and lowering added sugars in school milk offerings, all while preserving the nutritional value of dairy products.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The scope of the Ice Cream Commitment is broad, covering products made with real milk sold in supermarkets, convenience stores and even online. While the pledge does not apply to non-dairy items or in-house products made by small ice cream shops and restaurants, it signals a major step toward aligning retail dairy desserts with consumer preferences and state-level regulations.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Today’s announcement represents a commitment by dozens of individual ice cream companies,” says Andy Jacobs, CEO of Turkey Hill Dairy and chair of the IDFA Ice Cream Segment Board. “From small independent companies to family-owned businesses going back generations, to large multi-national companies, we have all come together in a true industrywide effort to make these changes.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;America’s dairy farmers play a key role in making this transition possible.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“Today, all across this country, truck drivers are hauling thousands of tanker-loads of farm fresh American milk to hundreds of U.S. ice cream making facilities,” says Sam Schwoeppe, a dairy farmer with Prairie Farms Dairy. “In fact, one out of every 10 tankers of U.S. milk goes to making ice cream, supporting thousands of dairy farming families like mine. As we enjoy our favorite ice cream treats, please remember to thank a dairy farmer. They make it all possible.”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The love for ice cream in America runs deep. IDFA polls show 97% of Americans love or like ice cream, with the average American eating about 19 lb. per year. In 2024 alone, the U.S. produced roughly 1.31 billion gallons of it.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;“None of this is possible without our incredible American dairy farmers,” Dykes says. “One out of every 10 gallons of milk produced on American dairy farms goes to making ice cream each year. Dairy farmers are essential to making ice cream great!”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For more information about the IDFA Ice Cream Commitment, including the full pledge, resources, and promotional materials, visit 
    
        &lt;span class="LinkEnhancement"&gt;&lt;a class="Link" href="http://www.icecreamcommitment.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;www.icecreamcommitment.org&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
    
        .&lt;br&gt;
    
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      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 18:54:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/scoop-change-u-s-ice-cream-makers-pledge-eliminate-artificial-colors-2028</guid>
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      <title>One Big Beautiful Bill Passes, What Does It Mean for Dairy Farmers?</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/one-big-beautiful-bill-passes-what-does-it-mean-dairy-farmers</link>
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        After passing the “One Big Beautiful Bill act” (OBBB) last Thursday, the American dairy farmer has new legislation to hopefully help aid prices, offer tax relief and boost current insurance programs. Now that the dust has settled and the ink has dried, here is a closer look at what will affect the average dairy producer going forward.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The OBBB first and foremost extended the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) through 2031. This will ensure that producers have no gap in the insurance coverage that helps support income through the RMA. There are a few key changes made to make it a little more attractive to the producer such as changing the Tier 1 coverage limit from 5 million to 6 million pounds of milk per farm. As production per cow increases and farm sizes grow, this 20% increase was seen as necessary to support the farms that feed us. Another important change is farms can now use the highest production year from 2021-2023 as their baseline. There is also a 25% discount for producers to commit on multiple year enrollment on their premiums.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;In an effort to ensure transparency for Class III and IV milk, both the House and Senate agreed that requiring a biennial USDA cost survey of dairy processors should be mandatory. The goal is to better align make-allowance estimates with timely real costs of producing cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk so the processor has less marketing power and help ensure the long-term pricing fairness.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;As many dairy producers also have row crops, there are many benefits shared by extending the commodity and risk management programs like ARC and PLC as well. Higher payment caps (12.5%), higher ARC coverage (90%), higher reference prices and the ability to update base acres are a few of the highlights to help farmers.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;There are many tax benefits on this bill as well. One key change is allowing farm implements to be deducted in full year one. Making it no longer a requirement to deduct large equipment purchases over several years. This puts the financial decisions in the farmer’s hands for how they want to expense large purchases. The bill also made the Section 199A deduction permanent to deduct up to 20% of business-related income as well as increasing the small business expense threshold.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For our future family farms, there are provisions that allow death tax exemptions which are now permanent. It increases the doubled Death Tax exemption which will aid in passing down farms and assets to the younger generation. While the new farmers are getting started, they have now increased the Beginning Farmer premium subsidy which helps cover a part of the cost of crop insurance and extended it from 5 to 10 years of aid.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;On the animal health front, the bill ads verbiage that the USDA must spend $233 million per year on animal disease research and response efforts. This pumps significantly more money into the National Animal Disease Preparedness program as well as research in the vaccine production. With all eyes on screwworm lately, this is important for response time and veterinary preparedness to help diagnose faster as well as aid in the training of state responders on all diseases but highlights the importance of controlling threats such as new world screwworm.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;While there are imperfections in all government programs, the aim of this bill was to help the American farmer and to support the family farm as well as the communities around them. We’ll learn more as time goes on about the good and the bad this bill brings but the intentions of the bill are clear and the benefits to the dairy farm, while subtle could be what makes the next five years a little easier on dairy farm economics.&lt;br&gt; &lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;Sarah Jungman is a commodity broker with AgMarket.Net and AgDairy, the dairy division of John Stewart &amp;amp; Associates Inc. (JSA). JSA is a full-service commodity brokerage firm based out of St. Joseph, MO. Sarah’s office is located in Winterset, Iowa and she may be reached at 515-272-5799 or through the website &lt;/i&gt;
    
        &lt;span class="LinkEnhancement"&gt;&lt;a class="Link" href="http://www.agmarket.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;&lt;i&gt;www.agmarket.net&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
    
        &lt;i&gt;.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;i&gt;The thoughts expressed and the basic data from which they are drawn are believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Hypothetical or simulated performance results have certain inherent limitations. Simulated results do not represent actual trading. Simulated trading programs are subject to the benefit of hindsight. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. There is risk of loss in trading commodity futures and options on futures. It may not be suitable for everyone. This material has been prepared by an employee or agent of JSA and is in the nature of a solicitation. By accepting this communication, you acknowledge and agree that you are not, and will not rely solely on this communication for making trading decisions.&lt;/i&gt;
    
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/one-big-beautiful-bill-passes-what-does-it-mean-dairy-farmers</guid>
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      <title>How Your Income Taxes Will Change This Year</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/how-your-income-taxes-will-change-year</link>
      <description>&lt;div class="RichTextArticleBody RichTextBody"&gt;
    
        The Trump tax cuts, officially known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, have been a topic of significant debate since their inception. It appears the Republicans might have enough political capital to both extend the TCJA and enact additional tax cuts that could help farmers.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The major tax cuts that have helped farmers since 2017 include (but not limited to):&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reduction in most tax rates&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;100% bonus depreciation through 2022&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Section 199A 20% net deduction on farm income&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Doubling the estate tax exemption (currently $13.99 million)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Increasing the child tax credit to $2,000&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;However, there were also some provisions that penalized many farmers:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Limiting the state and local tax (SALT) deduction to $10,000&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Eliminating the tax-free treatment of equipment trades&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reducing 100% bonus depreciation (there will be none starting in 2027)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Dropping the corporate tax rate to 21% (most farmers paid 15%, so this was a 40% tax increase)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;The House Republicans passed a budget bill to allow income taxes to rise by $4.5 trillion over 10 years. The Senate is proposing to ignore the budget effect of making the Trump tax cuts permanent, and the House could go along with this proposal.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;This effectively allows Congress to make the Trump tax cuts permanent and allows for an additional $4.5 trillion of reduced taxes in other areas such as:&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Eliminating taxes on tip income&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Eliminating taxes on social security income&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Eliminating taxes on overtime&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Eliminating estate taxes&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Reducing the corporate income tax rate to 15% for domestic production&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;However, there are many provisions of the Trump tax cuts that some Republicans are not in favor of, such as the $10,000 cap on the SALT deduction. Eliminating this cap would cost about a trillion over 10 years. Most republicans are also not in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act “green” provisions and many of them will be repealed or reduced, that could include the Section 45Z fuel tax credit.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The bottom line is income tax law will change this year, and it will be dramatic. Our crystal ball right now is fairly cloudy as to the final provisions, but for most farmers the changes will likely be beneficial.
    
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:14:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/how-your-income-taxes-will-change-year</guid>
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      <title>Where Do Harris and Trump Stand On Ag Policy Issues?</title>
      <link>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/where-do-harris-and-trump-stand-ag-policy-issues</link>
      <description>&lt;div class="RichTextArticleBody RichTextBody"&gt;
    
        The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) 
    
        &lt;span class="LinkEnhancement"&gt;&lt;a class="Link" href="https://www.fb.org/presidential-candidate-questionnaire" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;released the unedited responses from Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;
    
         to its questionnaire on federal agricultural policy. This initiative allows Farm Bureau members to directly compare each candidate’s platform. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;AFBF has been collecting and sharing responses from presidential candidates across parties for over 40 years to provide transparency on key agricultural issues.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Overview&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;Trump supports increasing commodity price supports, improving crop insurance, and focusing on innovation to keep ahead of China. He also pledged to lower energy bills and end Biden’s net-zero emissions policies.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Harris highlights the Biden administration’s initiatives to protect small farmers from unfair competition, citing Trump’s previous proposals for deep cuts to critical farming programs.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Farm policy and programs&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; Trump&lt;/b&gt; emphasized strengthening crop insurance and risk management programs, as well as supporting beginning farmers and ranchers. He highlighted his previous administration’s efforts, including signing a “massive Farm Bill” that improved agriculture programs and increased borrowing limits for farmers.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; Harris&lt;/b&gt; focused on defending programs that allow farmers and ranchers to prosper, criticizing Trump’s proposed cuts to essential farming programs. She emphasized the importance of crop insurance and risk management tools.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Regulatory issues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; Trump &lt;/b&gt;pledged to slash regulations that he believes stifle American agriculture and increase costs. He cited his previous administration’s efforts to cut regulations, claiming it saved farmers and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Harris&lt;/b&gt; committed to reducing excessive red tape while maintaining necessary protections.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;On labor,&lt;/b&gt; both were vague.&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Trump&lt;/b&gt; said he supports merit-based immigration.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Harris &lt;/b&gt;advocates for immigration reform to benefit the economy and farmers.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Environmental issues&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; Trump&lt;/b&gt; emphasized increasing ethanol production and reducing EPA regulations. Trump promised to end Biden’s net-zero emissions policies.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Harris &lt;/b&gt;underscored the importance of clean water and conservation efforts.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Trade policy&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; Trump&lt;/b&gt; promised to fight barriers to agricultural exports and highlighted his previous administration’s trade deals, including the Phase 1 agreement with China.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Harris &lt;/b&gt;vowed to stand firm against unfair trade practices, especially from China. She criticized Trump’s previous trade war, citing the costs to farmers and taxpayers.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt; Endangered Species Act&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt; Trump&lt;/b&gt; suggested focusing on incentive-based programs for species recovery, criticizing the current law’s effectiveness.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Harris &lt;/b&gt;emphasized the need for cooperative initiatives that consider all Americans, including farmers and ranch owners, in conservation efforts.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;
    
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:19:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.dairyherd.com/news/policy/where-do-harris-and-trump-stand-ag-policy-issues</guid>
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