In dairy-related news the third week of July 2025:
- Group of California dairy farmers files lawsuit over milk quota program
- Ice cream makers pledge to eliminate certified artificial colors by the end of 2027
- GDT index bounces back up after four lower sales
- Producers, landowners can now enroll in the USDA’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
- Experience World Dairy Expo in person or online
Group of California dairy farmers files lawsuit over milk quota program
The Dhillon Law Group has filed a lawsuit in Stanislaus County Superior Court on behalf of Exploited Milk Producers (EMP), a nonprofit association representing California dairy farmers, against Karen Ross, the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The complaint alleges that the state-run Quota Implementation Program (QIP) is unconstitutional and unfairly strips some dairy producers of over $90 million annually, redistributing these funds to their competitors.
According to the lawsuit, the QIP originally intended to help stabilize milk prices nearly six decades ago but now functions as a costly and obsolete mechanism, essentially taxing milk producers to subsidize select competitors without a valid public purpose. The program compels dairy farmers to pay an assessment on their milk sales, which is then distributed exclusively to quota certificate holders – competitors who produce no superior product nor exert additional effort.
“This program uses government power to mug certain farmers of over 90 million dollars per year and hands it over to their competitors, making life harder for the robbed,” said Michael Columbo, partner at Dhillon Law Group. “In addition to being wrong, unjust and insane, it is unconstitutional because the relic of a statute creating it handed power to the secretary without any discernible objective, standard or reason for its existence other than to continue redistributing revenues, and the program can’t be terminated without the permission of the quota certificate holders.”
The lawsuit also highlights alleged abuses by the Producer Review Board (PRB), an industry board claimed to be dominated by wealthy quota holders.
Ice cream makers pledge to eliminate certified artificial colors by the end of 2027
For generations, ice cream has been a beloved indulgence woven into American culture, communities and celebrations. Now, a new voluntary effort led by the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) in partnership with America’s ice cream makers promises to eliminate certified artificial colors from ice cream products made with real milk by Dec. 31, 2027.
With this effort, dozens of U.S. ice cream companies are pledging to eliminate the use of certified artificial colors Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Green No. 3, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 from their ice cream and frozen dairy desserts by 2028. The commitment represents companies making more than 90% of the ice cream volume sold in the U.S.
Many commercial ice cream makers have already phased out certified artificial colors and many others are working with suppliers to phase them out by 2028 in compliance with this effort and other business considerations.
The IDFA Ice Cream Commitment applies to products made with real milk sold at food retail (including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and online retailers) by the nation’s commercial ice cream makers. In addition to branded and private label sales at food retail, many of the nation’s commercial ice cream makers distribute their products to restaurants, ice cream parlors and scoop shops across the country. This initiative does not apply to products made with nondairy ingredients or those made in-house by small ice cream shops or restaurants (i.e., food service).
GDT index bounces back up after four lower sales
The price index of dairy product prices sold on the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) platform was up 1.1% in the auction held July 15. This is after four consecutive lower trading events.
Compared to the previous auction, prices for individual product categories were mixed. Skim milk powder and whole milk powder were up 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively. Anhydrous milkfat was up slightly, while mozzarella was down slightly. Cheddar cheese was down 5.6%, and lactose was down 1.5%. Buttermilk powder was not traded.
The GDT platform offers dairy products from several global companies: Fonterra (New Zealand), Darigold, Valley Milk and Dairy America (U.S.), Inalpi (Italy), Arla (Denmark), Arla Foods Ingredients (Denmark), BMI (Germany), Kerry Dairy (Ireland) and Solarec (Belgium).
The next GDT auction is Aug. 5.
Producers, landowners can now enroll in the USDA’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program
The USDA announced that agricultural producers and private landowners can now enroll in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (Grassland CRP). The sign-up runs from July 14 to Aug. 8.
Grassland CRP, offered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grasslands while also continuing most grazing and haying practices.
Grassland CRP emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity, and grasslands and land with shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion.
“Through the conservation of America’s essential grasslands, Grassland CRP supports continued agricultural productivity while at the same time prioritizing private lands stewardship,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “By offering landowners the best of both worlds – economic viability and working lands preservation – Grassland CRP provisions support USDA’s commitment to Farmers First.”
Landowners and producers interested in Grassland CRP should contact their local USDA Service Center to learn more or apply for the program before the Aug. 8 deadline.
Experience World Dairy Expo in person or online
Admission tickets and ExpoTV subscriptions are now available for purchase and allow you to access World Dairy Expo (WDE) from wherever you are during the first week of October.
Buy your digital tickets for this year’s events before arriving at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Admission is required Tuesday, Sept. 30 through Friday, Oct. 3 for anyone 12 years old or older and includes free parking and access to all WDE events unless noted otherwise in the schedule.
Those who purchase their admission passes before Sept. 30, when admission starts being charged, will be able to take advantage of discount pricing for purchasing in advance. Daily and season tickets purchased before Sept. 30 are $15 and $40, respectively, and can be purchased online by visiting WDE’s website or through WDE’s free mobile event app.
Download the app to purchase your admission passes and your ticket will be conveniently located within the app. Make sure to use the same email address as your email for your WDE mobile event app account when purchasing to take advantage of this feature. While you’re in the app, utilize all the fan-favorite features to plan your time at the expo, such as custom itinerary-building, interactive maps and more.
If you can’t attend in person, subscribe to the streaming service – ExpoTV. With an ExpoTV subscription, you have access to live and on demand coverage of the Dairy Cattle Shows, recorded award presentations and educational seminars. This year, show commentary will be offered during the International Holstein Show, exclusively on ExpoTV. A subscription is $20 (plus tax) and allows access to both livestreams and on-demand coverage of the event until Jan. 1, when the videos are made available to the public.
