IDFA Blog

By Beth Hughes, IDFA Senior Director of International Affairs Lately, IDFA has spent a great deal of time advocating for the passage of USMCA and a trade deal with China. These important efforts are crucial for ensuring a prosperous future for U.S. dairy exports. However, IDFA also works hard to promote trade around the world that would expand market access for U.S. dairy exporters.   U.S.-Japan Trade Discussion Dairy allies joined together in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. The letter urges these leaders to seize an opportunity to negotiate a much-needed trade deal with Japan that will bring significant benefits to the dairy industry.   The letter explains, “Given that Japan is an ... Read More

A little more than two years ago, IDFA initiated a process that set a new standard for what is possible to accomplish in terms of milk pricing reform and industry collaboration. Working with the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), we developed a joint policy proposal to improve dairy price risk management tools for all classes of milk regulated under the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Read More

Michael Dykes: I am so proud of IDFA’s first NextGen Leadership class! We hosted these upcoming leaders in Washington, D.C. this week with a focus on leadership and advocacy, and I was incredibly impressed by their expertise, passion and creativity. I think it’s safe to say the future of the dairy industry is in good hands. Read More

Earlier this month, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Purdue announced an updated nutrition education program to remind Americans of the importance of low-fat and fat-free dairy in the diet, along with other messages from the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) and MyPlate. “Start Simple with MyPlate” provides numerous nutrition messages for consumers, recommending small changes they can make to their food and beverage choices to help meet a healthy eating pattern, explains Michelle Matto, IDFA's nutrition and labeling consultant, in her latest Nutrition Notes blog. Read More

This week is National School Breakfast Week-- a celebration of the program that serves more than 14 million children every day and the people who make it possible. This year’s theme is “Start Your Engines with School Breakfast,” and school breakfast includes the power of dairy with milk, yogurt and cheese as important components, explains Michelle Matto in this week's Nutrition Notes blog post. Read More