In the news related to dairy farming the second week of January 2026:
- USDEC launches Voices From The Barn video podcasts
- 2026 PDP Business Conference registration now open
- Charitable milk campaign kicks off 2026 with record-breaking donations of $205,000
- Roto-Mix now part of Isakow Holdings
- California lifts statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions
- FSA announces updated schedule for county committee elections
USDEC launches Voices From The Barn video podcasts
With the dawn of 2026 begins the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF). This designation spotlights the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production to trade, while often going unrecognized. Women farmers are central to food security, nutrition and economic resilience. IYWF 2026 will raise awareness and promote actions to close the gender gaps and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.
In honor of this recognition of women’s contributions to the agrifood industry, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) launched a video podcast called Voices From The Barn. Hosted by USDEC President and CEO Krysta Harden, this podcast features conversations with women leaders in the dairy industry from both the U.S. and around the globe. USDEC will be sharing monthly episodes throughout 2026 in celebration of this initiative.
“Women are the backbone of our dairy industry, often working and leading the industry right beside their male counterparts, often without the much-deserved credit,” Harden says. “One of the reasons I chose to accept my current role with USDEC is because of the strong women leaders the dairy industry has.”
Marilyn Hershey and Becky Nyman exemplify such leadership and are upcoming guests on the podcast. Hershey, a Pennsylvania dairy farmer, is the current board chairperson for Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), parent company of USDEC, and Nyman, a California dairy farmer, serves as DMI board treasurer and USDEC chairperson.
Check often for new episodes of Voices From The Barn on the USDEC website.
2026 PDP Business Conference registration now open
Registration is now open for the 2026 Business Conference presented by the Professional Dairy Producers (PDP). The annual event for dairy producers featuring two days of world class programming, leading researchers, industry experts and a dairy supplier and equipment trade show is set for March 4-5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
With the theme of “Dairy’s Blueprint: Drafting Tomorrow’s Success,” the conference is the must-attend event of the year for dairy producers looking to elevate their business in 2026. PDP’s Business Conference combines forward-thinking speakers with interactive and hands-on workshops and networking opportunities to provide dairy producers with practical, ready-to-use strategies that strengthen margins and sharpen decision-making.
Highlights for the 2026 Business Conference include:
- More than 50 learning sessions in several formats for different learning styles, including keynote, breakout, hands-on and learning lounge presentations
- More than 40 top-tier speakers and presenters, ranging from leading researchers to forward-thinking dairy producers, industry experts and inspiring keynotes
- Simultaneous Spanish translation of all educational sessions
- The talentCONNECT reverse career fair will return for a second year and expand to both days of the conference, flipping the traditional job fair model on its head and providing college-age students the opportunity to set up displays and connect with industry professionals
- Networking and interaction with the industry’s premier dairy suppliers in the Hall of Ideas Equipment and Trade Show
- The Hall of Ideas will come to life with music, food, drinks and Wisconsin cheese on Wednesday evening with high-energy dueling piano entertainment from Piano Fondue
- Preview Stage with deep dives into the latest research in animal health, sustainability and crop production underway in the University of Wisconsin system
- Nexus stage showcasing companies whose novel ideas, products and services offer innovative solutions to producers and agri-business professionals
Visit the 2026 Business Conference website for the conference flier and information on exhibiting at the event. Details on lodging are also available, with discounted rates at several Madison area hotels if booked by February deadlines.
Charitable milk campaign kicks off 2026 with record-breaking donations of $205,000
The 2026 Fill a Glass with Hope campaign – the charitable milk distribution program – kicked off at the Pennsylvania Farm Show with record-breaking sponsorship donations of $205,000.
Fill a Glass with Hope was initiated in 2015 by Pennsylvania dairy farmers in partnership with American Dairy Association (ADA) North East, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, PA Dairymen’s Association and Feeding Pennsylvania. Thanks to generous supporters like those who donated for the 2026 kickoff, the program has distributed nearly 43 million servings of fresh milk through Feeding Pennsylvania’s network of 2,750 food pantries and agencies.
“With the ever-increasing number of food-insecure Pennsylvanians, our dairy farmers and industry partners recognized the need for access to fresh, fluid milk and took action,” said ADA North East CEO John Chrisman. “We’re so fortunate to have such a dedicated group supporting this cause for more than a decade.”
ADA North East has expanded the Fill a Glass with Hope campaign with retailers in its six-state region. Last year, during National Dairy Month in June and Hunger Action Month in September, five different retailers encouraged shoppers to round up their change at checkout, raising nearly $380,000 to support local food banks in the purchase of fresh milk for their local families. In addition, county dairy promotion committees that are part of Pennsylvania Dairy Princess and Promotion Services raised nearly $22,000 that was donated directly to Feeding Pennsylvania.
Roto-Mix now part of Isakow Holdings
Roto-Mix LLC is thrilled to share exciting news about the future of its companies. Isakow Holdings will now own and manage both Laird MFG LLC and Roto-Mix LLC.
This step represents a significant milestone for Roto-Mix, combining the strengths of two trusted brands under one vision. The company’s commitment to quality, innovation and exceptional service remains stronger than ever.
This expansion allows Roto-Mix to:
- Enhance its product lines to better meet customer needs
- Invest in continued growth while maintaining the high standards customers expect
- Provide even more comprehensive support through a unified team dedicated to excellence
While Roto-Mix’s ownership and structure are evolving, its commitment to reliability, excellence and personalized service remains unchanged. Customers can continue to expect the same exceptional quality that they’ve come to rely on from Laird MFG and Roto-Mix.
California lifts statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions
Last month, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that it has lifted the statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows, effective immediately.
The ban had been in place due to concerns over HPAI. According to CDFA, expanded surveillance, improved understanding of virus transmission and stronger mitigation measures have reduced the risk enough to allow exhibitions to resume.
CDFA continues to urge fair organizers and exhibitors to maintain strong biosecurity practices and keep sick animals off exhibition grounds.
FSA announces updated schedule for county committee elections
The USDA has revised the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee voting period and eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country should receive ballots soon.
Elections are occurring in certain local administrative areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots postmarked by Feb. 2, 2026, for those ballots to be counted. Newly elected members will take office on March 2, 2026.
“Voting in your local county committee election isn’t just a ballot – it’s your voice shaping how federal programs impact your livelihood,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “County committees guide decisions on disaster assistance, conservation and farm program delivery at the local level, and every producer who serves on an FSA county committee helps ensure the decisions the committee makes reflect the needs of their neighbors and their community.”
To be eligible to vote in the county committee elections, producers must participate or cooperate in a USDA program and be assigned to the LAA that is up for election. Each year, at least one LAA in each COC jurisdiction is up for election on a three-year rotation, and each producer is assigned to vote in a single LAA. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.
Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agriculture community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are comprised of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms.
Producers can identify LAAs up for election through a geographic information system locator tool and may confirm their LAA by contacting their local FSA office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office.
