The dairy industry continues to experience tremendous growth. Taken together, 2020 and 2021 are two of the strongest years on record for dairy sales. However, headwinds for our industry are growing stronger. Congestion at the ports, a shortage of truck drivers, inability to find workers, and unfair trade practices are a few of the many issues making it harder for dairy producers and processors to take advantage of the record demand for dairy both in the U.S. and abroad.

This week, IDFA board members from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress about the supply chain, labor and trade issues hindering continued growth for the industry. The group met with U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and John Thune (R-SD), and U.S. Reps. James Comer (R-KY), Jim Costa (D-CA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Chairman Daniel B. Maffei, Federal Maritime Commission, and GT Thompson (R-PA).

The dairy industry leaders also took part in IDFA’s annual Celebration of Dairy Holiday Reception, which hosted 20 members of Congress as well as key congressional staff, officials from the Biden Administration, ambassadors and representatives from trading partner countries, and leaders from throughout the food and agriculture industry.

IDFA recognized six individuals with the IDFA Leadership Award: Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. David Scott of Georgia, Rep. Sanford Bishop of Georgia, Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, and Jason Hafemeister and Bruce Summers of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Learn more here.

The fly-in was sponsored by IMA Dairy & Food USA.