In dairy-related news this first week of November 2025:
- USDA to release key production data
- IDFA submits comments on global dairy trade barriers
- Carcass composting bill passes in California
- California Dairies Inc. announces successful CEO leadership transition
- U.S. Soccer Federation and Chobani announce partnership
USDA to release key production data
Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced plans to release key production reports this month.
A USDA press release outlines release dates for Milk Production, Crop Production, Cattle on Feed and the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports throughout November.
This will be the USDA’s first estimates since September, as no reports were released in October due to the shutdown.
Check the Progressive Dairy website for updates as these reports are made available through the USDA.
IDFA submits comments on global dairy trade barriers
The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) submitted formal comments to the office of the U.S. trade representative (USTR) identifying key trade barriers affecting U.S. dairy exports. The comments urge the administration to take proactive decisive action to improve U.S. dairy’s global market access and competitiveness. The comments will inform USTR’s 2026 National Trade Estimate on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) report.
IDFA’s comments highlight persistent and emerging trade challenges in critical markets for U.S. dairy exporters, including Canada, China, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Algeria and the Dominican Republic. The submission advocates for the administration to swiftly address these concerns while also commending USTR’s recent progress on trade barriers, such as expanded halal certification acceptance in Indonesia and simplified dairy plant registration in Costa Rica. Equally important, IDFA’s comments underscore the need to complement this strategic engagement with sustained vigilance and enforcement of existing trade agreements like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
“Trade and global competitiveness are essential to our industry’s success, yet too often, other countries impose barriers that limit how much U.S. dairy can reach global consumers,” said Becky Rasdall Vargas, senior vice president for trade and workforce policy for IDFA.
Among the most pressing trade barriers cited by IDFA are tariff-rate quota (TRQ) administration and milk class pricing in Canada, Mexico’s proposal to limit U.S. milk powder imports, China’s state-owned enterprises and the EU’s expansion of geographical indications (GIs) and environmental regulations. IDFA also called attention to burdensome registration and certification procedures in India and Southeast Asia.
In addition to these specific concerns, IDFA has recently emphasized the importance of diversifying U.S. dairy export markets to reduce reliance on any single trading partner, particularly China.
Carcass composting bill passes in California
On Oct. 11, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 411 into law, which will allow the practice of composting livestock carcasses in the state.
Before producers can start composting livestock mortalities, the bill requires the development of best management practices (BMPs) for on-farm livestock composting. That interagency process will be led by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This process is expected to start after the first of the year and could take several months to complete.
Until the BMPs are finalized and adopted by CDFA’s secretary of agriculture, producers should continue to follow their current mortality management plan.
California Dairies Inc. announces successful CEO leadership transition
California Dairies Inc. (CDI) announced the successful completion of its planned leadership transition. Following a robust transition period, Rob Vandenheuvel has been named president and CEO, effective Nov. 1.
Vandenheuvel succeeds Brad Anderson, who is retiring after six years of distinguished service as CEO and a total of more than seven years with CDI.
Anderson’s tenure as CEO was marked by a period of significant growth and transformation. Under his visionary leadership, Anderson spearheaded the construction of CDI’s state-of-the-art processing facility in Bakersfield, California, Valley Natural Beverages, expanding the cooperative’s manufacturing into extended shelf-life (ESL) and aseptic (UHT) products. He also diversified the company’s portfolio with the introduction of lactoferrin and established CDI as an environmental leader through the Golden State Advantage initiative. Anderson’s dedication to CDI’s mission and member-owners has left an indelible mark on the cooperative.
Vandenheuvel, the new president and CEO, is an eight-year veteran of CDI, having previously served as chief operating officer. His appointment reflects the board’s commitment to strong internal leadership. Since joining CDI in 2017, Vandenheuvel has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership across various areas, including member and industry relations, supply chain, operations and sales. His prior experience as general manager at the Milk Producers Council, combined with his upbringing on a California dairy farm, has provided him with a valuable perspective while serving on CDI’s leadership team.
Anderson will support the transition in an advisory role to the executive leadership team through the end of the calendar year.
U.S. Soccer Federation and Chobani announce partnership
U.S. Soccer and Chobani announced a multiyear partnership making Chobani the official nutrition partner of U.S. Soccer.
The partnership arrives at a pivotal time for U.S. Soccer as the federation prepares for an extraordinary decade, one that includes hosting the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the 2028 Olympic Games and continued investment in the next generation of players, coaches and fans.
“U.S. Soccer and Chobani share something magical – the power to bring people together in a new dimension,” said Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani. “This partnership with U.S. Soccer is more than just a match or drills on the pitch, it’s about nourishing potential, strengthening communities and creating a future where everyone can move, grow and dream.”
Together, Chobani and U.S. Soccer will champion nutrition and empowerment at every level through programs like Chobani Ball Kids, coach development pathway initiatives, and the Soccer Forward Foundation, U.S. Soccer’s legacy initiative, providing scholarship grants to youth soccer clubs across the country. A learning tool will be cocreated with Chobani food scientists and U.S. Soccer growth experts that train coaches on how to teach nutrition values and lessons, which will soon be accessible through the Soccer Forward’s Resource Hub.
The partnership includes Chobani’s role as a founding partner of the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, the future home of U.S. Soccer and a cornerstone of the federation’s vision to unite all its national teams and technical departments under one roof.
