With respect to dairy competitors, the European Union, New Zealand and Australia are showing signs that their dairy industries have limitations on their ability to significantly grow dairy exports in the future. With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and no time timetable on when or how it will end, there could be a significant strain on many countries around the world. The U.S. is being counted on to take a leadership role in so many areas. One of which will be to help feed and provide the nutritional needs of Ukraine refugees and other consumers around the world.
Changes in domestic dairy farmer support programs and increased interest, investment (by both processors and farmers), expertise, and meeting customer needs by dairy processors, together with the favorable trade agreements the U.S. has in place, have been the main reasons why the U.S. dairy industry has reached an all-time high in dairy exports. For the dairy industry to reach new highs in dairy exports, we need the Administration to stop idling and step on the pedal and prioritize bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade agreements now.
Jeff Lyon is the General Manager of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, which is based in Madison, Wis. and serves over 3,000 members across its seven-state membership region. Focused on policy advocacy and dairy farmer representation, FarmFirst is dedicated to improving dairy farm policy and federal dairy programs through grassroots dairy farmer leadership.