U.S. dairy farmers are thriving in the marketplace even as labor shortages and a volatile policy environment remain challenges, dairy industry leaders stressed at the joint annual meeting.
U.S. dairy is well positioned for growth, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Gregg Doud said in remarks at the meeting held jointly by NMPF, the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA), Nov. 10-12.
“I love where we are in this industry right now, today, folks,” he said, noting $11 billion in new dairy plant investment currently underway nationwide. “Yes, there’s going to be uncertainty. My goodness, there’s uncertainty. But we’re in expansion mode. And I love it.”
NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney, who used his remarks to reflect on 17 years leading NMPF’s board of directors, said, “We’ve built a stronger foundation for dairy farmers across the country by ensuring that each and every day, farmers, no matter the size of their operation are where they call home, have the tools, the support and the representation they need to succeed on their operation for generations to come.”
Rexing elected NMPF chairman
Mooney is succeeded by Brian Rexing, an Indiana dairy farmer and a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative, who was chosen as NMPF’s 15th chairman.
Rexing and his wife, Ranell, operate New Generation Dairy, near Owensville, Indiana, milking 1,200 cows and farming 3,500 acres of corn, beans, wheat and alfalfa. Rexing is the vice president of Evansville Young Dairymen and received the Indiana Dairy Producer of the Year award 2010. In 2021, Rexing purchased a meat processing plant with a retail store. Rexing is a member of DFA’s executive committee.
Mooney will remain on NMPF’s executive committee, which also was elected at the annual meeting.
Keynote from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins
Also highlighting the meeting was USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who touted the Trump administration’s milk action plan to support American dairy farmers.
In her remarks, Rollins outlined USDA’s dairy priorities, outlining the administration’s four-point approach to support the industry, including:
- Incentivizing dairy consumption through changes to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, expected in December or early January
- Working to drive down input costs
- Facilitating investments in American milk processing
- Expanding markets to help milk producers prosper
Rollins also noted the importance of farm labor issues, pledging to seek federal changes to rules and regulations in coordination with the departments of Labor and Homeland Security while noting that broader changes will require congressional action. “We are acutely aware of the unique labor needs of the dairy industry,” she said.
General sessions
Featured panelists at the meeting’s general session included Doud, who appeared with fellow dairy CEOs Barb O’Brien of Dairy Management Inc. and Krysta Harden of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
“Over the last few months, I spent time visiting local promotion boards and going on farms in Michigan, Maine, Kansas and more,” O’Brien said. “Visiting farms offered valuable insights into various business operations, technology and teamwork that define dairy farming today, regardless of geography or scale.”
O’Brien said the checkoff’s mission is clear: to turn farmers’ and importers’ investment into momentum by building trust, growing demand and securing a strong future for U.S. dairy.
A session on revenue opportunities for dairy farmers featuring Katie Cook, vice president, farm animal sustainability, Elanco Animal Health; Mark Purdy, director of product and portfolio management, Meristem; and Joel Ysselstein, general manager, Meadowvale Dairy, also highlighted the event.
The meeting included discussions of dairy workforce challenges, how the MAHA movement is shaping consumer taste and how artificial intelligence (AI) is upending agriculture.
Cheese and dairy product competition
The annual meeting is held in conjunction with NMPF’s Young Cooperators annual meeting for younger dairy leaders, as well as NMPF’s annual cheese and dairy products competition. In the contest, the top prize was taken by Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery for its habanero ghost jack, while Lanco Pennland took the overall Reserve Chairman’s award with its sweet cheddar.
Rovey receives Lyng award
The NDB honored Arizona dairy farmer Paul Rovey as the 2025 recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for his contributions and distinguished service to dairy promotion.
The award is named for former USDA Secretary of Agriculture Richard E. Lyng, who played a critical role in implementing policies that led to the establishment of NDB in 1983. It honors leaders who have made a significant contribution to dairy promotion that benefits the entire industry.
Rovey served as chairman of Dairy Management Inc. from 2003 to 2018. He also provided leadership to the United Dairymen of Arizona (UDA) for more than 40 years, serving as chair for 10 years and holding numerous other leadership positions. In addition, Rovey was appointed to the NDB board, served on the UDIA board and was chair of the checkoff-founded U.S. Dairy Export Council from 2012-19.
As part of the Richard E. Lyng Award, the NDB will contribute $2,500 in Rovey’s name to an organization of his choice.
FARM Program's Excellence Awards
Also presented during the week were the FARM Program’s Excellence Awards that recognize participants who uphold program values by demonstrating U.S. dairy farmers are committed to producing high-quality, wholesome milk.
The 2025 recipients are:
- Animal Care and Antibiotic Stewardship – Bar E Dairy (Land O’Lakes Inc.)
- Environmental Stewardship – Five Star Dairy Farm LLC (Associated Milk Producers Inc.)
- Workforce Development – Glezen Farms LLC (Maola Local Dairies)
- Evaluator of the Year – Lisa Ford (Cayuga Marketing)
