In dairy-related news the second week of September 2025:
- Legislation introduced to safeguard farmers’ privacy and protect USDA data
- Danone announces Minster, Ohio, yogurt plant expansion
- Milk’s Got Game returns with SEC athletes powering performance
- 2025 Expo en Español highlights pertinent dairy topics
Legislation introduced to safeguard farmers’ privacy and protect USDA data
Rep. April McClain Delaney (D-Maryland), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act, which would prevent the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing Americans’ most sensitive financial information under the USDA, including databases managed by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Reps. Jim Costa (D-California) and John Larson (D-Connecticut) are coleading the effort.
The legislation is in response to last month’s reports of a DOGE employee gaining high-level access to the USDA’s National Payment System, raising serious concerns about potential fraud, identity theft and further misuse of sensitive personal information. Immediately following this breach, McClain Delaney led 12 of her colleagues in sending a letter to USDA and FSA leadership to verify these reports and urge the immediate protection of sensitive information from DOGE interference and third-party access.
“When a farmer applies for a loan or disaster aid, they’re not just filling out paperwork – they’re entrusting the federal government with their family’s livelihood,” said McClain Delaney. “That trust must be honored. This legislation is about protecting privacy, ensuring accountability and keeping our agricultural producers secure. We must defend the privacy we’ve promised countless rural communities, in Maryland and across the country.”
The Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act would:
- Prohibit DOGE from accessing USDA databases containing farmers’ financial, operational or personal data
- Reaffirm USDA’s responsibility to safeguard sensitive information
- Help restore confidence for farmers and ranchers who rely on federal programs to weather market shifts, natural disasters and rising costs
Danone announces Minster, Ohio, yogurt plant expansion
Danone U.S. announced the expansion of its Minster, Ohio, yogurt facility, which produces consumer-loved brands such as Oikos, Activia, Dannon and Danimals. The multimillion-dollar investment includes an approximately 48,000-square-foot facility expansion, as well as a new production line and upgrades to existing lines, bringing 30 new full-time jobs to the region.
“Our commitment to American manufacturing runs deep, with 90 percent of our ingredients and packaging materials bought here,” said Dan Magliocco, president, Danone North America. “Fulfilling our mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible, means producing nutrient-rich foods with U.S. ingredients in American factories that are benefiting local communities.”
To meet this increasing demand in the yogurt category and output, Danone will purchase 60% more milk for the Minster yogurt facility over the next couple years, which will include working with existing producer partners to increase their production and onboarding new local farms into the Danone family.
Milk’s Got Game returns with SEC athletes powering performance
Long before the stadium lights, the game day crowds or the highlight reels, there were early mornings, small wins and a jug of milk in the fridge. Milk’s Got Game returns for another season, and The Dairy Alliance, a nonprofit funded by dairy farm families in the Southeast, celebrates how milk powers athletes’ performance on and off the field.
This year, The Dairy Alliance joins SEC football players Gunner Stockton and Talyn Taylor of Georgia and Jake Merklinger of Tennessee, along with their mothers, to show fans how real dairy milk’s high-quality protein supports strength, recovery and hydration for active lifestyles.
“Real dairy milk fueled these athletes while they were growing up, and it continues to power their routines today,” said Joanne Engelhardt-Risko, vice president of strategic marketing at The Dairy Alliance. “With this year’s Milk’s Got Game campaign, we’re spotlighting the evolution of real dairy milk as a powerful sports drink that helps athletes recover, stay strong and perform at their best. This campaign also celebrates the role of moms, the original champions of dairy milk – if the best young athletes in the country trust dairy milk to power their game, it’s because their moms do too.”
“Growing up, my mom always made sure milk was part of my everyday routine,” said Stockton, quarterback for the University of Georgia. “It gave me the nutrition needed for practice and helped me push harder on the field. Even now, dairy milk plays a central role in my life, keeping me fueled and hydrated through every game.”
“Since his first steps, it’s always been real dairy – high-quality protein and real hydration,” adds Stockton’s mom, Sherrie Stockton.
“Real dairy milk gave me the edge when I was training as a kid, and it still makes a difference for me now,” said Talyn Taylor, wide receiver for the University of Georgia. “My mom knew the importance of it early on, and I rely on it to stay strong, bounce back and perform at my best.”
“From the start, real dairy milk played a huge role in keeping me energized and ready to go,” said Jake Merklinger, quarterback for the University of Tennessee. “My mom made sure it was part of my routine growing up, and it’s still one of the best ways for me to recover after workouts and stay game ready.”
The Milk’s Got Game campaign celebrates the connection between family, nutrition and performance, reminding us that success on the field often starts around the kitchen table.
2025 Expo en Español highlights pertinent dairy topics
Created for Spanish-speaking dairy owners, managers and midmanagers, Expo en Español returns yet again to World Dairy Expo this fall. Presented exclusively in Spanish, Expo en Español will be hosted at 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday during World Dairy Expo, in Mendota 1 of the Exhibition Hall. Each session includes a presentation and a question-and-answer segment.
Below is the 2025 Expo en Español schedule that can be enjoyed in person at WDE or online through ExpoTV.
Tuesday, Sept. 30
“Best Management Practices for Optimal Animal Welfare During the Transition Period”
Presenter: Adrian Barragan, associate research professor and extension veterinarian, Penn State
The transition period is the most challenging time during the dairy cow’s production cycle. Proactive best management practices must be in place to prevent diseases and maintain the optimal welfare of cows. During this presentation, Barragan will cover research-based practical information regarding managing dairy cows during the transition period, with a focus on preventing diseases and improving animal welfare.
Wednesday, Oct. 1
“The Science and Art of Milking”
Presenter: Dr. Paula Ospina, owner, Urgent Veterinary Care
Milking is the most important 15 minutes (3X) of a cow’s life and serves as a great opportunity not only to complete the milking process but also to evaluate the herd’s health, resulting in better milk quality. In this talk, we will address topics on how to explain and motivate workers about the purpose of each step and the importance of following milking procedures.
Thursday, Oct. 2
“Leadership Starts with Us”
Presenter: Juan Quezada, director of training and development, Milk Source LLC
We are all going to learn about leadership in a simple way. Leadership should be practiced daily and at every moment in our everyday lives. In this seminar, Quezada will highlight how each employee – no matter the title or length of employment – can become a better leader in the day-to-day workplace.
Friday, Oct. 3
“Multigenerational Effects of Heat Stress in Dairy Cows”
Presenter: Jimena Laporta Sanchis, associate professor, lactation physiology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Heat stress during the dry period (last six to eight weeks of gestation) represents a significant threat to the health, well-being and productivity of dairy cows. This period is critical not only for the cow but also for fetal development, especially for key organs such as the immune, digestive and mammary gland systems. Our studies have shown that the effects of maternal heat stress are not limited to the exposed generation (F0) but also impact the offspring exposed in utero (F1) and even the subsequent generation (F2), including lasting changes in growth, physiology, mammary development and milk productivity. This presentation will focus on the characterization of these multigenerational effects. In addition, we will address the impact of preweaning heat stress on calves and discuss novel mitigation methods to improve calf welfare, thermoregulation and performance in hot environments.
