In the news related to dairy farming the second week of July 2026:
- FTC settles right to repair with Deere & Company
- USDA introduces more crop insurance options for forage producers
- Annual Dairy Strong conference moves to Lambeau Field in 2027
- American Dairy XPO positioned to support Northeast dairy growth
FTC settles right to repair with Deere & Company
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states reached a right-to-repair settlement with Deere & Company that will help farmers and independent service technicians maintain and repair current and future John Deere equipment.
The FTC and attorneys general from Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin filed the antitrust lawsuit in January 2025, arguing Deere provided a service software tool to authorized dealers but did not offer the full version to equipment owners or independent shops.
This is the second right-to-repair settlement Deere reached this year, following a separate class action settlement in April that compensated farmers.
This new settlement requires Deere to make repair software, diagnostic tools and technical resources available to equipment owners and independent repair technicians as they are available to authorized Deere dealerships.
“This proposed settlement represents important progress toward reducing unnecessary repair costs and restoring farmers’ ability to maintain their equipment efficiently and affordably,” said Laurie Fischer, American Dairy Coalition CEO.
The settlement is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
If approved, Deere would begin notifying customers and dealers within 30 days, with most repair resources becoming available immediately on fair and reasonable terms and additional capabilities rolling out through the end of 2026.
Deere will be subject to strict compliance reporting and oversight for the next 10 years, and dealers would be prohibited from discriminating against customers who repair their own equipment or use independent repair providers.
In a statement, Deere said this agreement brings the matter to a close and allows the company to move forward with a continued focus on supporting its customers.
USDA introduces more crop insurance options for forage producers
The USDA is expanding coverage options to add revenue protection for forage producers in 12 states. Implemented by USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), the new coverage options guard against both yield losses and decline in price due to market changes.
This insurance policy will be structured similarly to other federal crop insurance revenue programs, replacing Actual Production History (APH) coverage for forage production in select counties located in California, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin beginning with the 2027 crop year.
Forage producers in eligible areas will have three plan options under this change:
- Yield Protection (YP): Provides coverage against loss in yield.
- Revenue Protection (RP): Provides coverage against loss in revenue due to a yield loss, price decline or yield loss at higher prices.
- Revenue Protection with Harvest Price Exclusions (RP-HPE): Provides coverage against loss in revenue due to a yield loss, decrease in the harvest price below the projected price, or both.
Interested producers in eligible areas should contact a crop insurance agent to enroll before the sales closing date of Sept. 30, 2026. The existing APH-based Forage Production insurance program will continue to be available to producers in all other states where the program is currently offered.
Annual Dairy Strong conference moves to Lambeau Field in 2027
The Voice of Milk announced its 2027 Dairy Strong conference is set to take place at a new location: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It will kick off at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame on Jan. 13, followed by a full day of programming on Jan. 14.
The conference, themed “where dairy’s future takes the field,” will focus on what’s ahead for the dairy industry and how farmers can stay competitive for long-term success. The newly structured, streamlined programming will address dairy policy, economic drivers shaping dairy in 2027 and what’s next for on-farm processing.
Keynote speakers include:
Aidan Connolly, president of AgriTech Capital
Connolly brings a global perspective on agriculture, technology and the forces shaping the future of food production. He works with established companies, startups, governments and agribusinesses on strategy, innovation and investment at the intersection of agriculture and technology.
In this closing keynote, Connolly will discuss how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are changing decision-making across agriculture and food systems. He will offer perspective on how innovation moves from idea to practical application and what that may mean for dairy producers, processors and industry partners.
Attendees will leave with a broader view of how technology, markets and policy are influencing agriculture’s next chapter, and how dairy businesses can evaluate new tools and business models with both opportunity and risk in mind.
Dr. Mark DeVolder, global change management expert and transition thought leader
Change is a constant part of doing business, and dairy leaders are often asked to guide teams through uncertainty while continuing to make sound decisions. In this opening keynote, DeVolder will help attendees think about change in practical terms and consider how to lead through transition with focus and confidence.
Drawing on his experience working with organizations through periods of change, DeVolder will share strategies for building resilience, improving adaptability and keeping people engaged. Attendees will leave with ideas they can apply as they manage change within their businesses, teams and communities.
Sponsorship and exhibit information, speaker updates and other announcements about the 2027 Dairy Strong conference will be posted on the Dairy Business Association website.
American Dairy XPO positioned to support Northeast dairy growth
As major dairy processing investments reshape the dairy industry across New York and the Northeast, American Dairy XPO (ADX) is on track for another strong year, with exhibition space now 90% sold for the trade show taking place on Nov. 4-5. The event brings together the technologies, expertise and industry partnerships needed to help dairy producers capitalize on future growth opportunities.
“The Northeast dairy industry is experiencing significant growth, including historic investments from prominent dairy processors, and ongoing support of family farms throughout the northeastern states. The great NYS Fair has featured dairy cows since its inception in 1841 and has been serving up cold cups at the Famous Milk Bar for decades – what better venue for the 2026 American Dairy XPO. It’s an exciting time to navigate sustainable expansion opportunities with industry partners from across the nation this November,” says Northeast Dairy Producers Association Chair and dairy farmer AJ Wormuth.
Taking place at the Exposition Center at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York, ADX continues to build momentum as the Northeast’s premier dairy-focused trade show. Featuring global equipment manufacturers, genetics companies, nutrition providers, processors and producer organizations, ADX is designed to provide practical solutions that help dairy farms improve efficiency, profitability and long-term sustainability.
ADX has recently seen a surge in leading global genetic companies signing on to support ADX and the required production expansion in the Northeast. Market leaders such as Premier Select Sires, ABS, URUS, Alta, Blondin Sires, Triple-Hil Sires, NoBull Sires and Kinetic Genetics can be found at ADX 2026, serving producers’ genetic needs while supporting customer participation in the new live Genetics Stage. This addition to ADX will feature producers from across the Northeast and their elite dairy daughters from their herds, highlighting genetic opportunities available to fellow producers.
In addition to showcasing live genetics and innovations, ADX will feature the Dairy Classroom educational program, DairyFEST networking and youth fundraising with 4-H serving grilled cheese and milkshakes, and FFA members volunteering throughout the trade show.
