News

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association is participating in Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide event held each August by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that raises awareness of the value and importance of proactive workplace safety programs. This year, IDFA is highlighting the dairy industry’s culture of safety that keeps […]

Becky Rasdall joined the International Dairy Foods Association in July 2020 as Vice President, Trade Policy and International Affairs where she is responsible for developing and advocating industry positions on issues impacting the international trade in dairy products. Before she joined IDFA, Becky spent nearly a decade serving in a variety of roles with the […]

WASHINGTON, August 6, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on the June 2020 agricultural export data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service:  “Once again, despite the challenging situation posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. dairy exports are posting positive gains in value and […]

WASHINGTON, August 6, 2020—In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer regarding trade negotiations between the governments of the United States and Kenya, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) said a U.S.-Kenya agreement has the potential to provide tangible market access for U.S. food and agricultural exports to Kenya’s growing economy while also cutting […]

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s award of nearly $1 million to the Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty to implement the new pilot program designed to encourage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program […]

IDFA welcomes two new members: Wade’s Dairy Inc., a family owned and operated fifth generation purveyor of quality dairy products; and Prova Inc., an expert in sweet brown flavorings for the food industry. Wade’s Dairy Inc. 1316 Barnum AvenueBridgeport, CT 06610-2825Phone: (203) 579-9233Toll Free: (800) 247-9233Company Email: [email protected]: www.wadesdairy.com Contact Douglas Wade, PresidentDirect Phone: (203) […]

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2020—In a poll of nearly 2,000 registered voters from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) conducted by Morning Consult, more than three-quarters of Republican, Democrat and Independent voters support extending temporary tax relief to food and agricultural workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The poll from IDFA conducted by Morning Consult sought […]

Twenty leading dietitians, physicians and public health experts that comprise the federal DGAC confirmed dairy products should continue to maintain a central, important role in federal nutrition recommendations for people beginning at a very early age and that most Americans should consume three servings of dairy per day. The committee, which evaluates the latest findings and overall bodies of evidence in nutrition science, found strong evidence pointing to positive health outcomes from dairy foods. In fact, the committee considers a diet including low-fat and fat-free dairy, legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables the ideal, healthy dietary pattern for all ages.

IDFA today announced that 28 future leaders of the dairy industry have been accepted into the second class of the NextGen Leadership Program, a signature program of IDFA’s People Strategy. The group of emerging leaders represent the diversity of people and business types across the dairy industry, and they have been identified by their companies as tomorrow’s industry leaders.

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on the May 2020 agricultural export data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture:   “U.S. dairy exports continue to post strong gains in value and volume to destinations around the world, with surging demand […]

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) has promoted Danielle Quist to the position of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Counsel, and Donald Grady to the position of Director, Legislative Affairs, effective July 1. Both Quist and Grady currently serve as integral subject matter experts on IDFA’s Scientific and Regulatory Affairs and Legislative Affairs teams, providing IDFA members with state and federal advocacy and expert insights into current and coming legislation, regulation and litigation.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) recognized 28 dairy companies for their outstanding achievements in worker safety in 2020 with the IDFA Dairy Industry Safety Recognition Award. This is the seventeenth year that IDFA has sponsored this program, highlighting the outstanding workplace safety achievements of U.S. dairy companies.

FDA’s decision to allow milk products utilizing high-quality protein concentrates to be labelled as ‘high protein milk’ is a positive step for greater flexibility and continued innovation in the dairy industry.

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), representing all products and segments in the U.S. dairy industry, announced today that Becky Rasdall has been named Vice President, Trade Policy and International Affairs within IDFA’s Legislative Affairs and Economic Policy team. In her new role, Rasdall will develop and advocate industry positions on international […]

We’ve long known that dairy is an important part of a healthy dietary pattern, and this is especially true for children. Dairy foods, like yogurt, can help children get essential nutrients, provides a nutrient dense food throughout childhood – all in a great tasting, affordable and accessible package!

An economic analysis published today shows the serious impact of the European Union’s Skim Milk Powder (SMP) Intervention Program on the U.S. dairy industry—especially to U.S. farm-gate milk prices—in the years 2016-2019.

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) released the following statement today: “Today, members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) confirmed dairy products should maintain a central, important role in federal nutrition recommendations for people beginning at a very early age. In addition to maintaining three servings of dairy per day, the […]

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2020— The International Dairy Foods Association, representing all products and segments in the U.S. dairy industry, is optimistic that dairy products will maintain their historically important role in federal nutrition guidelines expected to be updated and released this year. Tomorrow, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) will release its draft scientific report, […]

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association is urging the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) to include the full body of scientific literature from recent years showing that dairy foods, regardless of fat level, appear to have either neutral or beneficial effects on health outcomes. In letters to the secretaries of Agriculture and […]

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2020—Matt Herrick, senior vice president of executive and strategic communications for the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on the status of the 2020 Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party: “Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of those who attend our annual Capitol Hill Ice […]

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans will have a significant impact on the dairy industry. Not only do the Dietary Guidelines provide advice on the foods and beverages that help individuals develop a healthy diet, they also set the standards for federal feeding programs like the national school breakfast and lunch programs, and nutrition education messages.

COVID-19 is new, but most of the cleaning and disinfection practices required to prevent its spread are not. As members of the food and beverage industry, you already know what you need to do. In many cases, your best defense is to focus on the basics. The pandemic is taking its toll on the U.S. […]

Watch the recording WASHINGTON, June 3, 2020 – The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), the nation’s largest trade association representing all segments of the dairy industry, and ABB, a global technology leader that is driving the digital transformation of industries, have partnered to offer IDFA members a suite of automated systems, applications and integrated solutions […]

This June, milk, cheese, yogurt and dairy foods are helping to fight hunger and food insecurity at one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history.

IDFA breaks down USDA's direct payments to dairy producers under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2020 – The International Dairy Foods Association, the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council jointly urged Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to use all tools at his disposal to “ensure high-quality, nutritious U.S. dairy products are made available to our international neighbors in need.” “As a nation, we are […]

IDFA and our members are grateful for the inclusion of a dairy recourse loan program in the HEROES Act coronavirus relief legislation that is being considered by the House of Representatives this week.

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2020 – As the European Union (EU) is poised to begin government-financed intervention purchases of skim milk powder (SMP) and butter, dairy farmers and processors in key dairy-producing countries around the world are calling on the EU to avoid the market-distorting practices that have significantly harmed them and the broader global dairy […]

I hope that you, your family, friends, colleagues and communities are safe and well. Over the weekend, I was enjoying a change of pace from the recent teleworking routine by getting some much-needed outdoor activity; it was a beautiful Saturday morning. I began thinking about all the women in dairy who have essential jobs during […]

USDA’s new Farmers to Families Food Box program will distribute more than $300 million worth of fresh, wholesome, nutritious U.S. dairy products to Americans experiencing food insecurity by June 30.

In this guest blog, team leader for dairy risk management consulting Dave Kurzawski gives perspective on what led to yesterday’s rally in class III milk and cheese. Is it a signal for what’s ahead in dairy, or a more isolated set of circumstances?

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) last week issued its annual National Trade Estimate Report, outlining many tariff and non-tariff barriers, including protective measures and technical obstacles to trade, that U.S. dairy companies face around the world. Published annually, the 540-page report highlights significant foreign barriers to U.S. exports, U.S. foreign direct investment and […]

To further accelerate innovation in workforce and leadership development in the dairy industry, today IDFA is debuting a brand new organizational effort, The IDFA People Strategy.

On April 21, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) hosted a webinar on the new Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) USDA Purchase & Distribution Program, also known as the “food boxes” distribution program, and AMS plans to host a second webinar in the very near future. USDA announced that it is exercising authority under the Families […]

By Phil Plourd, Blimling and Associates, Inc. When it comes to commodity price risk management, it pays to seek out, evaluate and judiciously deploy as many tools as possible. That’s true in just about every industry, at every stop along the supply chain. But it’s going to prove to be exceptionally good counsel for dairy […]

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program: “Today’s announcement by the White House and USDA—the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program—is an important first step that begins to bring much-needed relief to the U.S. dairy industry. With $16 […]

U.S. companies that use sugar as an ingredient, including many dairy companies, employ almost 600,000 people nationwide.  These companies depend on a stable and adequate sugar supply to make their products. Due to an ongoing domestic sugar shortage, IDFA and other members of the Sweetener Users Association have asked USDA to make additional sugar available […]

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) sent a set of recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture yesterday urging the Administration to take swift, comprehensive action to support the U.S. dairy industry through the COVID-19 crisis.

For the past six weeks, IDFA has worked day and night to ensure the federal government hears and understands the unique challenges facing our dairy industry because of COVID-19. As the impact deepens across our economy, it has become clear that the federal government must go above and beyond traditional programs and solutions to bring […]

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on Congressional passage of the $2 trillion CARES Act and highlights the need for the federal government to make dairy purchases: “The International Dairy Foods Association commends Congress for acting swiftly and decisively to bring […]

Overnight, the Senate passed a $2 trillion funding bill to blunt the worse impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic’s economic impact to U.S. businesses, households and workers in all sectors of the economy including food and agriculture. Formally called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, the $2 trillion bill promises […]

IDFA welcomes Food Safety Net Services Inc., who provides expert technical resources that assist companies with implementing food safety and quality programs that deliver critical information needed to continually improve process controls. Food Safety Net Services 199 W. Rhapsody DriveSan Antonio, TX 78216-3105Phone: (210) 525‐1702Toll Free: (888) 525-9788Email: [email protected]  Website: www.fsns.com   Contact Brianne Magott; […]

Today’s dairy leaders are redefining what it means to be sustainable businesses by elevating good business practices, developing and implementing transportation and logistics solutions, ensuring the highest standards for animal welfare, and committing to and achieving environmental stewardship throughout their supply chains.

Let’s start with this: We don’t know what’s going to happen with the COVID-19 coronavirus story today,  tomorrow or the next day. The story is moving fast, and we don’t have a template. Over the course of 30 years studying markets, we can only think of two other occasions when “unprecedented” truly applied: after the […]

To implement the President’s nationwide emergency declaration, the FMCSA expanded its March 13, 2020 emergency regulatory relief declaration from Parts 390-399 to ensure that commercial motor carriers and drivers directly supporting relief efforts can immediately transport essential supplies, equipment and persons, including food, fuel and medical care. The following relief categories relate to the food […]

Congress and the Administration have been working to develop and pass a series of bills to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) nationally and to mitigate its effect on the U.S. economy. The first emergency appropriations bill was enacted on March 6th and provides $8.3 billion in funding for vaccine development and medical equipment […]

Jerry Kamisnki, chief operating officer at Land O'Lakes, Inc. sat down with Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, to discuss Land O'Lakes' nealry 100-year history in the dairy business in this episode of Dairy Innovator Dialogues.

Doug Wilke, chief executive officer at Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc. sat down with Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, to discuss Valley Queen's history of innovation and investment in the long-term growth of its employees in this episode of Dairy Innovator Dialogues.

Ed Mullins, CEO and executive vice president of Prairie Farms Dairy, sat down with Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, to discuss Prairie Farms’ history of growth and innovation in the dairy business in this episode of Dairy Innovator Dialogues. Prairie Farms Dairy is a cooperative of more than 800 farm families. Founded […]

Patrick Criteser, president and CEO at Tillamook County Creamery Association, sat down with Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, to discuss Tillamook's history of innovation, meeting consumer preferences, and achieving animal welfare and sustainability goals in this episode of Dairy Innovator Dialogues.

Jeff Kaneb, chief operating officer at HP Hood, sat down with Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of IDFA, to discuss HP Hood's history of innovation and diversification, consumer preferences, sustainability, and the exciting future for the dairy industry in this episode of Dairy Innovator Dialogues.

IDFA welcomes two new members: High Road Craft Ice Cream, Inc., a producer of craft ice cream, sorbet, novelties, and mixes; and Sidel, Inc., a leading provider of equipment and services solutions for packaging beverage (CSD, water, liquid dairy products, beer, wine and spirits), food (non-liquid dairy and others), home and personal care products. Sidel […]

Welcome to IDFA’s new website! We are excited to share with you this improved tool for advocacy, education and networking. As the dairy industry evolves and IDFA evolves along with it, our website had become outdated and difficult to use. The website redesign allows us to put the user experience for our IDFA members, staff […]

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), released the following statement today: “On behalf of the nation’s dairy industry, the International Dairy Foods Association is grateful that the Administration confirmed yesterday that the food and agricultural industry is one of the nation’s critical infrastructure industries. Additionally, […]

R IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected] WASHINGTON, March 14, 2020—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today on COVID-19 and the availability of dairy products across the nation: “The International Dairy Foods Association has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation to ensure the safety and […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected] WASHINGTON, March 2, 2020—A group of established U.S. and international nutrition scientists, including three former members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, have requested the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services give serious and immediate consideration to lifting the limits placed on saturated fat intake for the […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, March 2, 2020—On Friday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released the 2020 Trade Policy Agenda and 2019 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program. These reports are required to be submitted annually to Congress, by March 1. “IDFA is […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, March 2, 2020—The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) announced today that Joseph Scimeca, Ph.D., has been named senior vice president, regulatory and scientific affairs. Scimeca comes to IDFA after serving for 16 years with Cargill Inc., most recently as the company’s vice president of global regulatory and scientific […]

Mar 02, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected]   WASHINGTON, March 2, 2020—On Friday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released the 2020 Trade Policy Agenda and 2019 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program. These reports are required to be submitted annually to Congress, by March 1. […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Andrew Jerome(202) [email protected] WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2020— Dairy industry leaders from across the country are in Washington this week to urge Congressional leaders and appropriators to fund important research, a SNAP milk incentive pilot program, and dairy standards modernization at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in fiscal year (FY) 2021. The […]