Making dairy headlines this week:

Lee karen
Karen Lee
Managing Editor / Progressive Dairy

2024 fluid milk sales end higher, first time in 15 years

Driven primarily by increased sales of whole milk, total sales of U.S. fluid milk products in 2024 were up 0.8% compared to 2023. That ended the 14-year consecutive decline of fluid milk sales.

According to data from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service:

  • Total sales: December 2024 sales of packaged fluid milk products were estimated at 3.8 billion pounds, up 2.6% from the same month a year earlier. At 42.98 billion pounds, year-to-date sales of all fluid products are up 0.8%.
  • Conventional products: Monthly sales totaled 3.5 billion pounds, up 2% from the same month a year earlier. Sales of flavored whole milk were up 12.3%, and whole milk was up almost 3%. Year-to-date 2024 sales were estimated at 39.9 billion pounds, up 0.4% from this time last year. Whole milk year-to-date sales were 2% higher than 2023.
  • Organic products: December sales totaled 270 million pounds, up 10.1% from a year earlier. Flavored whole milk sales were up 40.8%. Whole milk sales were up 17.7%, while fat-reduced milk (2%) sales were up 7.6%. Year-to-date organic fluid milk sales were estimated at 3 billion pounds, up 7.2% from this time last year. Organic represented about 7.2% total fluid product sales in December and 7.1% in total sales year to date.

The U.S. figures are based on consumption of fluid milk products in Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) areas, which account for approximately 92% of total U.S. fluid milk sales, and adding the other 8% from outside FMMO-regulated areas. Sales outlets include food stores, convenience stores, warehouse stores/wholesale clubs, nonfood stores, schools, the food service industry and home delivery.

Senate confirms Rollins, Kennedy to ag-related Cabinet positions

The Senate confirmed the nomination of Brooke Rollins as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a vote of 72-28. Upon her swearing in, she becomes the 33rd secretary of agriculture and will oversee farm and nutrition programs, rural development, natural resources, agricultural research and more.

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A graduate of Texas A&M University and University of Texas Law School, Rollins previously served as president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, and president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

By a narrower vote (52-48), the Senate also confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act passed by House committee

By a vote of 24-10, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in 2025.

The bill would allow for whole (3.25%) and reduced-fat (2%) milk to be served in school cafeterias.

“Kids take more milk, and drink more milk, in school when they have nutrient-dense options they like,” said National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Gregg Doud.

He added, “A growing body of scientific evidence shows that dairy foods at all fat levels have a neutral or positive effect on health outcomes, ranging from lower prevalence of obesity and diabetes to reduced heart disease risk and healthy cholesterol levels.”

Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), applauded the passing of the bill by the committee. “After more than a decade of waiting, it’s time to lift the ban on whole and 2 percent milk and give children more nutritious choices in school cafeterias,” Dykes said.

U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, co-sponsor of the bill, said, “I’m glad to see the bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act advance through committee and one step closer toward consideration on the House floor.”

Nevada dairy worker contracts new strain of HPAI

Last week, the USDA confirmed a new variant (D1.1 genotype) of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was found in dairy cattle in Nevada.

Now, a dairy worker, who was exposed to the D1.1 strain when working with infected cattle, has been infected with it. This is Nevada’s first human case of H5N1.

The Central Nevada Health District (CNHD) said conjunctivitis was the only symptom and that the worker is recovering.

Since early 2024, there have been 68 human cases of H5N1 nationwide, with 41 of them involving contact with dairy cattle.

It is recommended that individuals working with or around cattle, including their milk, wear personal protective equipment and monitor for signs of illness.

Agri-Mark elects executive committee, appoints advisory directors

Agri-Mark’s board of directors met recently for their annual reorganization meeting. The board elected an executive committee to lead the cooperative for the coming year and appointed advisory directors to each serve a one-year term on the board of directors.

James “Cricket” Jacquier of Laurelbrook Farm in East Canaan, Connecticut, was reelected as chair. Jacquier has been on the cooperative’s board since 2011 and has served as chair since 2020.

Clara Ayer from Fairmont Farms in East Montpelier, Vermont, steps into a new leadership role as vice chair. She replaces Blake Gendebien who previously served as vice chair and who has recently stepped down from the board of directors. Ayer has been on the board of directors since 2022.

The board reelected Eugene Audet as treasurer. Audet operates Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport, Vermont, with his family. He has been on the board of directors since 2018 and this will mark his second term as treasurer.

In addition, the board reelected Brian Lynch from Lyndale Farm in Antwerp, New York, to serve as secretary. Lynch has been on the board for eight years and this is his fourth term as secretary.

Walt Gladstone of Newmont Farm in Bradford, Vermont, was elected to the fifth executive committee member role. Gladstone has been on the board of directors for three years. This marks his first leadership role on the board.

The board appointed Bill Lipinski of Hampden, Massachusetts, and Pat Muldoon of Lakeway, Texas, to serve as advisory directors. The appointments are for one-year. This is Lipinski’s fourth term and Muldoon’s second term as advisory directors.

Minnesota Milk hosts annual meeting, elects board members

Minnesota Milk, the state’s dairy advocacy group, gathered together dairy farmers and supporters for its annual meeting and Dairy Day at the Capitol event in St. Paul, Minnesota.

During the annual meeting, the group elected two board members:

  • Anthony Anderson of Stone Dairy in Henning, Minnesota, was reelected to the board. He will serve as the board’s vice president.
  • Dean Smith of the D & D Dairy, Rushford, Minnesota, was elected to the board.

Outgoing board member and former Vice President Shelly DePestel of Daley Farm of Lewiston was recognized for her dedication and contributions to the organization.

Other board members include Garrett Luthens of Skyview Dairy, president; Tom Walsh of Riverview, secretary; Rick Smith of Blue Edge Dairy, treasurer; Sadie Frericks of Blue Dimond Dairy and contracted lobbyist Daryn McBeth. 

Livestock Marketing Association opens applications for 2025 scholarships

The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) announced the opening of its 2025 scholarship program application period. This annual program is designed to support students who understand the vital role of agriculture and its supporting industries, including the auction method of livestock marketing.

The program invites applicants to share how they plan to use their education and future careers to advocate for or advance the livestock marketing industry. Nine deserving students will each be awarded a one-time $2,500 scholarship to assist with their academic pursuits.

Eligible applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution. Additional requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.0 and sponsorship by an LMA member livestock marketing business.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 14, at 4 p.m. Central time zone.

HSUS changes its name to Humane World for Animals

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society International announced they will change their name to Humane World for Animals.

A prominent animal rights organization, the name change is to show its mission to end animal cruelty and suffering remains the same, but on a global scale.