In the news related to dairy farming mid-December 2025:
- House passes Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
- Milk test finds Wisconsin’s first case of HPAI in dairy
- Land O’Lakes doubles down on hunger relief before the holidays
- Annual event highlights the Friends of Expo
- Alltech announces dairy farm Most Valuable Employee Award winner
- USDA announces $38.1 million in grant agreement to cover agricultural losses due to Hurricane Helene in Tennessee
House passes Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 by voice vote, delivering final congressional approval for legislation that will restore whole and 2% milk to America’s school cafeterias for the first time in more than a decade.
The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump, which will cap a historic, years-long effort by dairy industry groups, dairy food companies, dairy farmers, partners, school nutrition leaders, physicians and nutritionists, and parents across the country to restore access to the nutritious milk options children overwhelmingly prefer.
“Today’s House passage marks a defining victory for children’s health and for the dairy community that has fought for more than a decade to restore whole and 2 percent milk for our nation’s students. We ask for the president to sign the bill into law so the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can begin working with state governments and school districts across the country to make this law a reality,” said Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act requires schools to provide students with a variety of fluid milk options, which can now include flavored and unflavored organic or conventional whole, 2%, 1%, skim and lactose-free milk. The bill exempts milkfat from consideration of schools’ allowable saturated fat content requirements per meal, which will help school nutrition directors include whole and 2% milk options in their meal planning. It also allows parents to request that schools provide a lactose-free milk or nutritionally equivalent non-dairy option for their child.
“This bill makes it easier for schools and parents to offer the nutritious milk options that children prefer and consume at home, whether those be whole fat, lower fat or lactose-free,” Dykes said.
Since whole and 2% milk were banned from school meal menus more than a decade ago, school milk consumption and meal participation have declined, meaning children are consuming fewer essential nutrients. This is especially concerning considering underconsumption of milk and dairy products is prevalent among school-aged children, where between 68% and 94% of school-age boys and girls are failing to meet recommended levels of dairy intake per federal guidelines.
National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doug added, “It’s hard to overstate the significance of congressional passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, not only because it represents major progress in improving the nourishment of American schoolkids, but also because of what it says about how persistent, long-term effort can still bring bipartisan success in Congress.”
Milk test finds Wisconsin’s first case of HPAI in dairy
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b in a dairy cattle herd in Wisconsin. This confirmation was a result of routine National Milk Testing Strategy testing, not pre-movement surveillance.
This marks the first known case of HPAI in cattle in Wisconsin. While dairy cattle in a total of 18 states have been infected since the start of the outbreak in March 2024, APHIS has seen cases in only a small number of states this year.
The affected farm has been quarantined to limit disease spread. APHIS is working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to conduct additional on-farm investigations, diagnostic testing and epidemiological data collection to better understand the detection and prevent further disease spread.
Biosecurity is still key to mitigating the risk of disease introduction or spread between premises. Enhanced biosecurity measures are recommended for all dairy farms. Producers should immediately report any livestock with clinical signs, or any unusual sick or dead wildlife, to their state veterinarian.
This detection does not pose a risk to consumer health or affect the safety of the commercial milk supply.
Land O’Lakes doubles down on hunger relief before the holidays
Land O’Lakes Inc., one of the nation’s largest farmer- and member-owned cooperatives, announced a $1 million hunger relief investment aimed at supporting rural communities ahead of the holiday season. Grants will go to 15 Feeding America partner food banks across Land O’Lakes’ member-owner and employee footprint, as well as to Feeding America. This commitment effectively doubles the cooperative’s 2025 hunger relief impact, building on nearly 4 million meals already provided this year.
“As a farmer-owned cooperative, hunger relief is central to our philanthropic mission,” said Land O’Lakes CEO and President Beth Ford. “While we support these efforts throughout the year, we’re proud to double down on our hunger contributions during the holiday season to do our part to serve families when the need is so incredibly high.”
Between January and September, Land O’Lakes helped provide nearly 4 million meals through cash and in-kind product contributions to Feeding America and the network of 200 partner food banks. With today’s announcement, the cooperative will double that impact by helping provide an additional 4.5 million meals to close out the year. The investment includes:
- $1,000,000 in grants to 15 Feeding America partner food banks aligned with Land O’Lakes’ member and employee footprint, as well as to Feeding America
- 250,000 pounds of fresh product donations distributed to 10 Feeding America food banks
- Over 800,000 pounds of additional product donations distributed through the Feeding America network via Spoiler Alert
Annual event highlights the Friends of Expo
On Dec. 10, World Dairy Expo hosted its annual Friends of Expo celebration, honoring the hundreds of volunteers, paid workers and partners who make World Dairy Expo possible. Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the 2025 Friends of Expo awards. Receiving recognition this year were Jon Rasmussen, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Jen Wackershauser and Emily Novinskie, Platteville, Wisconsin; and Kevin Hoffman, Verona, Wisconsin.
Rasmussen began his volunteer journey at World Dairy Expo in 1996 as a Badger Dairy Club grounds chair and has continued to serve in a variety of leadership roles since then. In 2007, he began volunteering with the International Jersey Show and assisted with check-in with multiple breeds and recording placings. He became the Jersey breed superintendent in 2012, becoming just the fifth superintendent for the breed in World Dairy Expo history. In 2021, Rasmussen also became the assistant overall superintendent of the dairy cattle show. Dairy cattle exhibitors enjoy every interaction with Rasmussen because of his positive attitude and calm demeanor.
As the technical directors for ExpoTV, Wackershauser and Novinskie began their work supporting World Dairy Expo 12 years ago. Together, they have volunteered more than 960 hours of their time to World Dairy Expo. Arriving each day before 7 a.m. and staying until the last class exits the Coliseum, they spend more than 14 hours a day in the Rush Media Trailer, located near where the cattle enter the Coliseum. The pair directs camera operators and selects the shots that bring three livestreams of the World Dairy Expo Dairy Cattle Show to life. Their combined passion for the dairy industry and unwavering dedication has allowed millions of viewers to watch the dairy cattle show from wherever they are.
Hoffman’s time given to World Dairy Expo touches nearly every corner of the event. From welcoming FFA members and managing the flow of trucks and trailers into World Dairy Expo to organizing the warehouse, moving equipment and transforming stalling tents with calm, good-natured efficiency, Hoffman exemplifies dedication in action. Known for his warmth, humor and unwavering willingness to step in wherever needed, he brings out the best in others, whether exhibitors, students or other volunteers. His creativity, mentorship and genuine care make him a pleasure to work with at World Dairy Expo, says Laura Herschleb, World Dairy Expo general manager.
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer for 2026, visit the World Dairy Expo website to learn more and complete the Volunteer Interest Form.
Alltech announces dairy farm Most Valuable Employee Award winner
Alltech presented the 2025 Most Valuable Employee (MVE) Award to Alejo Gutierrez of Enchanted Dairy in Little Falls, Minnesota. This award recognizes the value of a dairy farm employee with an exceptional work ethic who exhibits integrity and who engages in their responsibilities on a dairy farm. Nominations are made by a farm manager, dairy owner, farm consultant or nutritionist based on qualities such as perseverance, honesty and integrity. The finalists were honored during the annual Alltech Dairy Summit on Dec. 11, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Brooke Carrow nominated Alejo and said, “Alejo has been a dedicated employee with my family for many years. He is diligent and determined in his work as a herdsman but also works to improve employees based on things he is seeing cow-side. For example, if he sees more mastitis in cows, he investigates the cause and works on fixing the process that is broken whether mechanical, employee or both. He is always actively engaged in meetings, asks good questions and helps his fellow co-workers understand by providing additional translation or specific examples that have happened in the dairy to deepen their understanding.”
The other finalists honored during the Alltech Dairy Summit included Ken Walsh, of Soaring Eagle Dairy, Newton, Wisconsin, nominated by Julie Maurer; and Chris Granius of Ebert Enterprises, Algoma, Wisconsin, nominated by Michelle Shambeau, Jordan Ebert and Robb Bender.
USDA announces $38.1 million in grant agreement to cover agricultural losses due to Hurricane Helene in Tennessee
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen A. Vaden announced $38.1 million in additional USDA assistance to help producers in Tennessee recover from Hurricane Helene. Vaden signed a block grant agreement with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) that provides recovery assistance to eligible Tennessee farmers.
Under this agreement, TDA is receiving $38.1 million in funding to administer a program that will cover infrastructure and timber losses in addition to future economic losses and market losses. This funding is part of the $30 billion disaster assistance relief effort authorized by the American Relief Act, 2025. The USDA is working with 14 different states, including Tennessee, to develop and implement block grants to address the unique disaster recovery needs for each state.
The USDA, Gov. Bill Lee’s office in Tennessee, and TDA have finalized a grant agreement that will cover qualifying losses not addressed by other USDA disaster programs. Producers should look for additional program information available through the TDA.
