In the news related to dairy farming the first week of June 2026:
- Checkoff brings ”Body by Cheese” to life for National Cheese Day
- U.S. dairy cites new USITC report in call for action on Canadian dairy trade practices
- FARM Program kicks off annual Excellence Awards
- NMC seeks Scholar applicants
- DCRC recognizes UW – Madison’s Iago Leão as its 2026 Scholar
- Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative awards $10,000 in secondary education scholarships
Checkoff brings ‘Body by Cheese’ to life for National Cheese Day
With consumers increasingly seeking protein-rich foods to support active lifestyles, the dairy checkoff is leveraging National Cheese Day on June 4 to position cheese as a convenient, high-quality protein option through its Dairy Does More platform.
The National Cheese Day activation, launched by Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), introduces “Body by Cheese,” a lighthearted campaign designed to connect cheese with fitness, wellness and snacking occasions. At the center of the effort is the Parm Bar, a 2-ounce block of domestically produced Parmesan packaged in a protein bar-inspired wrapper that highlights cheese’s protein benefits in a modern way.
The Parm Bar is not a retail product and will only be distributed through a limited-time social media influencer giveaway tied to the campaign. It is designed to give audiences a humorous hook to stop scrolling and start thinking about how cheese is another way to build their protein intake.
The activation represents an extension of Dairy Does More, which DMI created to help consumers think differently about dairy foods and recognize benefits beyond taste.
“Consumers already love cheese, but our opportunity is helping them think about cheese differently and creating new usage occasions,” said Aris Georgiadis, DMI senior vice president of integrated marketing. “This campaign is about reinforcing that dairy does more than consumers may realize, particularly when it comes to protein, energy and satiety. If consumers already buy cheese for toppings or meals, can we inspire them to see cheese as another snack or protein option throughout the day?”
The National Cheese Day effort is targeted toward younger, fitness-minded consumers who seek protein in their diets but may not immediately think of cheese as part of their workout or wellness routines. Through influencer partnerships, social media activations and earned media outreach, the campaign aims to insert cheese into broader cultural conversations around fitness and nutrition.
U.S. dairy cites new USITC report in call for action on Canadian dairy trade practices
The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) reiterated their call for the U.S. trade representative (USTR) to use the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) joint review process to address Canada’s distortionary nonfat milk solids export practices. Their statement follows the release of the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (USITC) Section 332 report, Nonfat Milk Solids: Competitive Conditions for the United States and Major Foreign Suppliers.
The report confirms what USDEC and NMPF have long documented: that Canadian milk production quotas that “aim to match domestic supply and demand for butterfat lead to a level of raw milk production that results in a domestic structural surplus of [nonfat milk solids] components.” The report goes on to note that the Canadian government-administered milk pricing system “unlinks its relatively high farmgate price of milk from the price that [nonfat milk solids] processors pay for milk components in Canada using regulated ‘price discrimination.’”
The Canadian structural surplus and pricing system outlined in the report served as a basis for USDEC and NMPF to work with the first Trump administration to secure commitments during the USMCA negotiations for Canada to limit its artificially low-priced skim milk powder and milk protein concentrate exports. The deal established an annual threshold over which these nonfat milk solids exports are subject to a surcharge to ensure U.S. producers are not being undercut in the U.S. or international markets.
While the report acknowledges that Canada has to date limited its exports of products formally classified as nonfat milk solids, it also cites a marked increase in Canadian exports of products categorized under tariff codes for “blended dairy products” and “protein isolates,” that fall outside of the USMCA-disciplined tariff categorization. The report estimates that from 2013 to 2015 exports under the “protein isolate” tariff code were just 76 metric tons (MT). Post-USMCA implementation, the volume of protein isolates has grown dramatically to over 32,000 MT from 2022 to 2024. While the tariff code is not exclusive to dairy proteins, USITC estimates that most of the exports were dairy-based.
USITC notes that the dairy products are entering the United States from new and expanded processing plants in British Columbia and Manitoba. The report cites that “[i]n addition to access to cost-competitive sources of [nonfat milk solids] components, these facilities received grants and loans from national and provincial governments.”
The organizations will continue to work with USTR to leverage the report and ensure Canadian attempts to circumvent their dairy protein export commitments are comprehensively addressed in the ongoing USMCA joint review process.
FARM Program kicks off annual Excellence Awards
The FARM Program is accepting nominations for its annual FARM Excellence Awards, recognizing U.S. dairy industry achievements in adopting and improving on-farm practices.
Awards are divided into four categories: Animal Care and Antibiotic Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship, Workforce Development and FARM Evaluator of the Year.
“The FARM Program relies on farmers and FARM evaluators to advance the program’s mission of continuous improvement” said NMPF’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Meggan Hain. “These awards honor participants who embody FARM Program values through their commitment to excellence.”
Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. PDT Aug. 3 via the online form. Nominations are accepted from fellow dairy farmers, members of their community, extension staff, cooperative or processor staff, veterinarians, themselves or others.
Nominated farms must have a current FARM Program evaluation in the relevant category and must be in good standing with the program. Evaluators nominated must be FARM Program certified in at least one program area as of June 1. Nominees must be willing to have their names and images used in promotional materials should they receive an award.
Winners will receive travel and hotel accommodations for two individuals to attend the dairy joint annual meeting, Oct. 19-21 in Kissimmee, Florida, where awards will be presented during a special luncheon. Visit the FARM Excellence Awards page for more details.
NMC seeks Scholar applicants
NMC: The Global Milk Quality Organization (NMC) encourages graduate students to apply for its scholars program. This program offers at least four travel scholarships for full-time graduate students interested in controlling mastitis, promoting udder health and improving milk quality. Successful applicants earn an expense-paid trip to attend the NMC 66th annual meeting, Jan. 25-28, in Jacksonville, Florida.
To apply for the NMC Scholars Program, applicants must complete the application form, submit an interest statement that details the applicant’s interest in controlling mastitis and improving milk quality, career goals and research project(s), and provide a letter of recommendation. Applicants may also share additional information, such as awards, honors and scholarships received.
At least two NMC scholars will be graduate students at a university or college outside of the U.S. and Canada. Eligible candidates must be an NMC member and enrolled full time at a college or university in a dairy, animal or veterinary science, microbiology or related program at the time of application deadline, with an area of interest that includes mastitis control and quality milk production.
The application deadline is July 31. Applicants will be notified by Aug. 31, regarding the selection committee’s decision. To learn more about the program and to apply, go to the program’s website.
DCRC recognizes UW – Madison’s Iago Leão as its 2026 Scholar
Iago Matheus Rosa Leão, a Ph.D. candidate in the school of veterinary medicine at the University of Wisconsin (UW) – Madison, earned the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council’s (DCRC) 2026 Scholar award. As the award recipient, Leão won an expense-paid trip to attend the 2026 DCRC annual meeting, Nov. 10-12, in Columbus, Ohio.
A veterinarian from Minas Gerais, Brazil, Leão’s passion for dairy cattle started on his grandfather’s dairy farm. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Uberlandia Federal University (UFU), where he worked as a teaching assistant. Also, he interned with Ricarda Maria dos Santos, a UFU bovine reproductive physiology researcher. Leão gained enriching insights and hands-on experience in dairy cattle reproduction, under the guidance of dos Santos.
Leão’s master’s degree work at UW – Madison, under the guidance of JP Martins, focused on improving resynchronization programs for lactating dairy cows. His initial Ph.D. research addressed developing a synchronization of ovulation protocol for dairy heifers that does not use progesterone (P4) implants. Currently, his research project aims to establish the hormonal profile of lactating dairy cows with early pregnancy loss, which is a major reproductive issue in dairy farms. “Our goal is to identify physiological characteristics associated with early embryonic loss in lactating dairy cows, providing a better understanding of this phenomenon and the development of strategies to mitigate it,” Leão stated.
The DCRC Scholars Program recognizes an outstanding graduate student studying dairy, animal or veterinary science, microbiology or a related program, with an area of interest that includes dairy cattle reproduction and fertility. Applicants submitted an essay that detailed their interest in dairy cattle reproduction, career goals and research project(s), and their academic adviser provided a letter of recommendation.
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative awards $10,000 in secondary education scholarships
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative has awarded five young adults with $2,000 scholarships to pursue higher education; two students are currently enrolled in college or a university, and three are graduating high school seniors.
The 2026 scholarship recipients:
- Mara Endres of Waunakee, Wisconsin, will be attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities to major in animal science with an emphasis in production.
- Hannah Fesenmaier of Elmwood, Wisconsin, will be attending the University of Wisconsin – River Falls to study pre-veterinary medicine.
- Johanna Heijkoop of Mayo, Florida, is attending the University of Florida, where she studies animal science and food animal production.
- Liv Vander Kooi of Worthington, Minnesota, plans to attend the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities to major in animal science and agricultural education.
- Hailey Zernicke of Bonduel, Wisconsin, is attending the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she studies animal science and agriculture and food business management.
Each student is a dependent of an Edge member and has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership and participation in school and community activities, academic honors, goals and aspirations, recommendations and work experience.
