In April, IDFA leadership traveled to the newly expanded Valley Queen Cheese Company in Milbank, S.D. to highlight the dairy industry’s growing economic impact in the state alongside leaders from government and business. The trip was IDFA’s second legislative fly-out, and it attracted Senator John Thune, South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Kim Vanneman, and Senator Mike Rounds’ chief of staff in Washington. IDFA member companies also joined, including from Agropur, Land O’Lakes, Saputo Cheese, and Bel Brands, among others. Dairy products contribute $3 billion to South Dakota’s economy, support more than 12,500 jobs, and put more than $657 million in wages into the pockets of South Dakotans each year. At Valley Queen Cheese, IDFA President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M., had the opportunity to talk with Doug Wilke, CEO of the company, about the importance of using our collective voice to advocate for trade agreements, including the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Watch the video of Doug and Michael below. For questions about hosting a legislative fly-out, please contact Colin Newman, Director, Industry Relations and Political Affairs, cnewman@idfa.org.