Since 2003, the Cooperative Working Together (CWT) program has served as a farmer-funded self-help program. Now, farmers and coops are considering a package of changes to CWT to make it even more impactful in helping sell U.S.-made dairy foods in foreign markets.
Rethinking the CWT Program
According to National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President of Member Services, Chris Galen, this is the first substantial review of the CWT program in more than a decade. Galen shared insights on Dairy Radio Now, revealing that the organization is considering various ways to improve the Export Assistance Program.
Proposed Changes to the CWT Program
Recently, the NMPF board of directors approved several proposed improvements to the CWT program. Some of these improvements include:
- Expanding product eligibility to all cheese varieties, extended shelf life/aseptic fluid milk, evaporated/condensed milk, and ice cream.
- Piloting programs that offer targeted support for value-added skim milk powder sales to Southeast Asia and cheese sales to Central America and the Caribbean.
- Increasing bid flexibility to extend eligible delivery periods and removing volume limits on a trial basis.
- Providing increased insights into market dynamics that drive support levels with participating cooperatives.
- Creating an advisory group to provide strategic direction.
The Path Forward
The next step for CWT is for individual cooperatives, including those not currently members, to seek approval from their memberships and boards of directors to join the program starting January 1, 2025. Increased membership participation is seen as essential to pushing the CWT program to new heights.
“The CWT program’s been around for more than 20 years now, and we’ve seen this continually evolve,” Galen pointed out. “The program started in 2003 with its herd retirement program, and we’ve had our export assistance program in place for most of those 20 years, but now that’s our primary and really exclusive focus for the program.”
Looking Ahead
The NMPF board of directors is scheduled to reconvene on October 21st to vote on the renewal of the CWT program, looking ahead to 2025 and beyond. The continuous adaptation and commitment of the CWT program aims to secure and expand the presence of U.S. dairy products in foreign markets, ultimately benefiting the broader community of dairy farmers in the U.S.
As the CWT program navigates its future course, the collective efforts of farmers and cooperatives will be crucial in maintaining the program’s relevance and efficacy in the dynamically changing global dairy marketplace.
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