In dairy-related news the fourth week of March 2026:
- Survey reveals dairy producer concerns over GHG data requests
- Bel invests $200 million to double Babybel production capacity
- All-American Dairy Show seeks chair for Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
- Applications open for second annual Midwest Dairy Accelerator
- California Ag Leadership Program application deadline approaching
- Teamsters launch ULP strike at AMPI Dairy
Survey reveals dairy producer concerns over GHG data requests
Dairy farmers across the country are increasingly being asked to provide detailed operational data to cooperatives, proprietary processors and supply-chain partners for sustainability and Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting. These requests can include herd records, feed and manure data, cropping practices, energy use, fuel consumption and other aspects of farm business management.
Many farmers say these requests are time-consuming and involve sensitive business information.
To better understand these concerns, the American Dairy Coalition (ADC) conducted an anonymous survey of members and nonmember producers across key dairy regions from Feb. 24 through March 14. Responses came mainly from the Upper Midwest (with 70% of responses from Wisconsin) as well as the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. The results show widespread concern about how farm data is being requested, handled and used.
A majority of respondents (72%) said they have been asked to provide detailed farm-level data, while 77% said participation is not truly voluntary in practice. Farmers described varying levels of pressure: 25% said requests were “strongly encouraged,” 32% said they were told participation is required to sell milk, and 20% reported concern about penalties or loss of contract.
At the same time, 87% said they did not believe they signed a data-sharing agreement, and another 13% were unsure – pointing to a lack of clarity and informed consent.
Concerns about trust and fairness are also significant. Eighty percent of respondents said they do not trust their data is secure, and 92% reported receiving no compensation for providing it. More than one-third (36%) believe they have already undergone sustainability-related audits, with another 15% unsure, indicating confusion about how these programs are being implemented.
Farmers were unified on key principles: 100% said farmers should own and control their farm data, and 85% support federal action to ensure transparency, set limits and require fair compensation when such data is collected.
While farmers were told these programs would remain voluntary and that data would be used in aggregated form, survey results suggest many do not see that happening in practice. These findings suggest a need for clear guardrails, stronger farmer protections and greater accountability in how farm data is collected and used.
To read more detailed analysis and a list of comments offered anonymously by survey respondents as well as through the confidential intake line, click here.
Bel invests $200 million to double Babybel production capacity
Bel Group broke ground on a $200 million expansion of its Babybel production facility in Brookings, South Dakota. The project will double the plant’s annual production capacity from 10,000 to 20,000 tons, marking a major milestone in the company’s 50-year presence in the U.S. market.
The investment will create around 150 new jobs and double milk sourcing from American dairy farms, primarily in South Dakota and neighboring states. It marks one of Bel’s largest manufacturing investments in the U.S., supporting the company’s ability to meet sustained consumer demand for portion-sized dairy snacks.
Bel has been manufacturing in the U.S. for over 50 years, and today, it’s Bel Group’s largest market, driving 33% of global sales with over $1.2 billion in annual retail sales, with business doubling between 2018 and 2024. Now, Bel aims to double its U.S. business again in the years ahead, making the U.S. the driver of more than half of Bel Group’s projected growth.
The Brookings project follows Bel’s recent $10 million expansion of its Little Chute, Wisconsin, facility, which added 50 jobs and increased domestic production capacity.
All-American Dairy Show seeks chair for Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest
The All-American Dairy Show is seeking a chairperson to lead the annual All-American Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, one of the nation’s premier youth dairy judging events.
Each year, more than 40 collegiate, 4-H, FFA and two-year college teams travel to Harrisburg to compete in a full day of dairy cattle evaluation, oral reasons and awards during the All-American Dairy Show.
The contest chair plays a key leadership role in organizing and executing the event, working alongside a dedicated team of volunteers and industry partners to ensure a successful competition.
Individuals interested in serving as chair are encouraged to send an expression of interest to Michelle Cornman, president of the All-American Dairy Show.
For more information, contact the All-American Dairy Show at (717) 787-2905.
Applications open for second annual Midwest Dairy Accelerator
Midwest Dairy, in partnership with VentureFuel, has announced the launch of their second annual Accelerator – a program designed to discover and support emerging startups that are redefining the future of dairy. Applications are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through May 5 at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Designed to accelerate the next generation of dairy-forward entrepreneurs, the program provides mentorship, industry connections and resources to help startups grow innovative businesses with real dairy at the core. The 10-week hybrid accelerator program will connect six early-stage, revenue-generating companies of products using Midwest dairy as a prominent ingredient with top dairy, food and consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry leaders to fast-track growth through expert mentorship, tailored commercialization support and strategic guidance.
Participants will receive professionally created brand assets, including video commercials and sales materials, gain media exposure and connect with buyers, investors and innovation leaders. Startups will refine their pitch with one-on-one support and showcase their product at a final pitch event, on Sept. 16 in Minneapolis, where a panel of judges will award up to $30,000 worth of total value prizes, including one grand prize winner to receive a prize of $20,000 and a finalist to receive $10,000. To be eligible, companies must have a safe, working product prototype that has been reviewed under USDA oversight.
Interested entrepreneurs are invited to RSVP for a virtual information session on April 28 at 9 a.m. CST to learn more about the program, areas of interest and the application process.
For more information on the program, visit Midwest Dairy Accelerator | VentureFuel.
California Ag Leadership Program application deadline approaching
The California Agricultural Leadership Program was launched in 1970 by the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) and has since trained over 1,500 leaders in agriculture and related fields.
The goal is to build a powerful network to keep agriculture a viable and important part of the state’s economy, said Lesa Eidman, a member of the Program’s Class 49 who became CALF’s president and CEO in February 2025.
“We’re one of the premier leadership development programs in the U.S.,” Eidman said. “Our mission is ‘growing leaders who make a difference’ by providing sessions in leadership theory, communications, motivation and change management. But most importantly, it is focused on self-analysis and self-reflection to help participants learn about themselves.”
CALF partners with Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Chico State and University of California (UC) – Davis to deliver an integrated curriculum throughout the program’s seminars in collaboration with CALF’s education team, led by the Director of Education Dane White. Participants learn from top educators, subject-matter experts and leaders from diverse fields who challenge them to think differently and grow as influential voices in agriculture.
Multiple-day sessions are held at each of the five participating universities, where participants build enhanced critical thinking skills that will help graduates develop creative solutions.
The program also includes a trip within the U.S. – this year to Chicago and Washington, D.C. – and an overseas visit to broaden their horizons. Last year’s overseas trip was to southern Africa.
CALF invests around $70,000 in each participant. The applicants pay a $1,000 fee, but money raised by foundations, alums and supporters, and organizations like Farm Credit, provide the bulk of the funding.
Applications are now being accepted for the Class 56. The deadline for phase one of the three-phase application process must be completed by March 27. Information and the application form are available online.
Teamsters launch ULP strike at AMPI Dairy
After nearly a year of negotiations, Teamsters Local 471 members at Associated Milk Producers Incorporated (AMPI) Dairy in Paynesville, Minnesota, have been forced out on strike over the company’s unfair labor practices (ULPs).
Despite Teamsters working for over a year without a raise, they say AMPI has refused to offer a meaningful wage increase that keeps up with the rising cost of living. The company has rejected proposals that would give workers more flexibility and stability in their health care coverage and has failed to agree to basic employment protections, including a guarantee that if the facility is sold or ownership changes, workers would be able to keep their jobs and union contract.
