20 August 2025

Headlines

Policy

• There’s Money to be Made from MAHA. Food Companies Want In.
• Ukraine’s Dairies Shifting West
• We got a draft MAHA Report. It's Quite Industry Friendly
• USDA Ends Programs for Solar, Wind Projects on Farms
• Baldwin Wants Dairy Pride Attached to the Farm Bill

Dairy Management

• Dairy Replacement Heifer Prices hit $4,000
• Protect Your Dairy From New World Screwworm
• Dairy and Beef-on-Dairy Cattle Sizzling Market Has Found a New Balance

New World Screwworm 

• U.S to Build a $750M Fly Factory in Texas to Stope NWS
• US Allows Emergency Authorizations of Animal Drugs to Fight Screwworms

Labor

• The Labor Conundrum: Navigating Workforce Shortages in the U.S.
• Why Agriculture Labor Reform is Essential for US Dairy

Dairy Products

• Americans are All In on Cow-Based Wellness
• Plenty of Milkfat Left for Butter Churns

Sustainability

• How US Dairy Aligned an Industry Around Voluntary Action

DMC Premium Payments Due Sept. 1

The following is from Progressive Dairy.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is issuing letters to farmers enrolled in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2025 regarding program premiums. Participating dairy operations that elect margin protection coverage above the catastrophic level coverage are required to pay a premium fee. Typically, these premiums are deducted from DMC payments, however, no payments were issued this year due to higher margins. The letter states outstanding premium balances are due by Sept. 1, and failure to pay may affect your eligibility for participation in the DMC program in future years. Dairy producers should find payment information within the letter and are encouraged to contact their local FSA office with questions.

Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Grant Opportunities Open

Check out these two grant opportunities through the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative. Georgia Milk Producers members can take advantage of discounted grant writing assistance through GMPs partnership with Lasso, a grant-writing and research firm. GMP members interested in applying for or learning more about the SDBII grants can contact Nicole Rojas at nicole@joinlasso.com or email Bryce Trotter at Bryce@gamilk.org to learn more about how GMP members can take advantage of this member benefit.

1- SDBII – Beginning Processor and/or Specialty Equipment Investment Grant

Eligible Project Expenses include:

• Purchase and installation of specialty processing equipment
• Expansion or modernization of existing dairy processing facilities
• Construction of new processing capacity for value-added products
• Equipment that supports specialty or niche product development (e.g., artisan cheeses, yogurt, flavored milk products)

Who is eligible?

• New or beginning dairy processors in the Southeast region
• Existing processors seeking to expand into specialty or value-added products
• Applicants must be based in the region served by SDBII and at least 18 years old

Grant Amount and Terms:

• Awards up to $150,000 depending on project scope
• Applicants must provide a minimum 25% cash match for funded projects

Timeline:

• The application deadline is September 24, 2025

Restrictions (the program does not provide funds for):

• Acquisition or construction of buildings, facilities, or land (including renovations, site work, or architecture fees)
• Construction-related materials and improvements
• Lease-to-own or rent-to-own agreements (buildings, land, or equipment)
• General-purpose equipment purchases (e.g., office furniture, IT systems, vehicles)
• Farm or gardening supplies (soil, seeds, greenhouses, tools, etc.)
• Salaries and wages as reimbursable expenses or match
• Sales, marketing, and promotional costs not directly tied to the grant purpose
• Promotional items, swag, gifts, prizes, or souvenirs



2-  SDBII – Dairy Business Planning Grant

Eligible Project Expenses include:

• Business and financial planning services
• Feasibility studies for new dairy products or markets
• Market research and product development strategies
• Consulting support for cooperative or collaborative ventures
• Legal or professional services tied to new business formation or expansion planning

Who is eligible?

• Dairy farmers, processors, cooperatives, and producer groups in the Southeast region served by SDBII
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old

Grant Amount and Terms:

• Awards up to $30,000 per project
• No match required

Timeline:

• The application deadline is September 24, 2025

Restrictions (the program does not provide funds for):

• Salaries and wages as reimbursable expenses
• Consultant/contractor rates exceeding GS-15 Step 10 Federal pay scale (excluding benefits, travel, indirect costs, etc.)
• General marketing/promotion of brand, logos, or organizational image
• Promotion of venues, tradeshows, events, or programs not tied to grant purpose
• Promotional items (swag, gifts, prizes, souvenirs, memorabilia)

Beef-on-Dairy: Economic and Health Insights Webinar

From the National Milk Producers Federation:

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 1-2 p.m. ET

Beef-on-dairy crossbreeding has gained traction in recent years as dairy farmers look to increase calf value, take advantage of strong market prices and improve their profitability. But what are the real economic returns — and are there trade-offs in terms of animal health or herd performance? NMPF members and FARM Program participants are invited to join a webinar examining the latest research on this breeding strategy. Industry experts will discuss the economic and animal health implications of beef-on-dairy crossbreeding, its impact on dairy and beef herds, and the broader ripple effects on milk, dairy and cattle markets.

This session is specifically intended for dairy farmers, including FARM Program participants, cooperative staff and associate members affiliated with NMPF. NMPF and the FARM Program reserve the right to deny participation in this webinar to non-members and non-program participants.

Register HERE.

2025 Sunbelt Dairy Showdown - Submit Your Videos Now

High schoolers in 4-H and FFA - Think you’ve got what it takes to take home the title of 2025 Sunbelt Dairy Showdown Champion???

Apply now for a chance to compete in the legen-dairy milking competition at the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. This two-part competition challenges students to create a short educational video using the phrase “Milk’s Got Game.” If your video is selected as a finalist, 2-4 high school students will get to represent your chapter in the live milking competition on October 15th to compete for the grand prize and title of 2025 Sunbelt Dairy Showdown Champions.

Finalists will receive free single-day passes to the Sunbelt Ag Expo, a dairy-themed swag bag, and a donation to their 4-H or FFA chapter courtesy of Georgia Milk Producers, Inc., Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation, and United Dairy Farmers of Florida. Visit here to view the full contest rules and information before applying.

Mark your calendars, grab a glass of milk, and start brainstorming! The deadline for submission is September 5th, 2025.

If you have any questions, email Audri Crews at acrews@thedairyalliance.com.

2026 Georgia Dairy Conference Registration is OPEN

Registration is LIVE for the 2026 Georgia Dairy Conference. The conference will take place from January 19-21, 2026, at the Marriott Savannah Riverfront in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. Join us for three days of education, networking, and fellowship. As the Southeast’s premier dairy conference, this is a must-attend event. Register by visiting our website at www.gadairyconference.com. For more details about the conference, download the Farmer and Guest or Sponsor Guide.

All Georgia Milk Producers members who currently pay dues to the GA Milk checkoff are eligible for free registration to the conference. To register you farm, family, and employees, CLICK HERE. You will receive a confirmation email from GMP with the hotel reservation link when your registration is processed. Use that link to book your room at our discounted room rate with the Marriott Savannah Riverfront.

Feel free to contact us directly at gadairyconference@gamilk.org.

GMP Classifieds

Want to showcase your business to dairy producers and industry professionals across the Southeast and US? Email info@gamilk.org to learn more about how you can advertise in the GMP E-News.

Calendar of Events

August 21 - Agriculture Chairmen's Ag Issues Summit

The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, GA

Register HERE.

September 16 & 17 - Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum

UGA Tifton Conference Center

Registration: GeorgiaAgLaborForum.com

Fall District Meetings

September 8th - 7pm District 2: Doodlum's BBQ, Woodbury

September 11th - 12pm District 7 - Sass! Thomasville

September 11th - 7pm District 5 - Oasis Coffee House, Montezuma

September 15th - 7pm District 3 at Farmview Market, Madison

September 16th - 7pm District 6 - Burke Co Extension Auditorium, Waynesboro

September 16th - 12pm District 4 - UGA Teaching Dairy, Athens

September 18th - District 1 - Farm Tours

October 2-12 - Georgia National Fair and Livestock Shows

The Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, GA

October 14-16 - Sunbelt Ag Expo

Spence Field - Moultrie, GA

October 15th - Sunbelt Dairy Showdown

Dairy Pavilion - Moultrie, GA

October 28-29 - Southeast Dairy Sustainability Forum

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton at The Battery, Atlanta, Georgia

2025 Fall District Meetings

Dairy producers across Georgia are invited to attend the annual Fall District meetings for Georgia Milk Producers and The Dairy Alliance this September. The meetings will be held in each district across the state. Our organizations will hold district elections; report on industry issues and promotional efforts; and announce upcoming events. Dinner or lunch will be served at each location depending on the time the meeting is set to begin.

To preregister for the district meeting of your choice, please contact the Bryce at 229-221-3906 or bryce@gamilk.org. We look forward to seeing you soon and value the input you share at our meetings.

District 1 - September 18th - Farm Tours

District 2 - September 8th at 7pm - Doodlum's BBQ 18600 Main St, Woodbury, GA 30293

District 3 - September 15th at 7pm - Farmview Market 2610 Eatonton Rd, Madison, GA 30650

District 4 - September 16th at 12pm - UGA Teaching Dairy 1001 Walter Sams Rd, Winterville, GA 30683

District 5 - September 11th at 7pm - Oasis Coffee House 310 Spaulding Rd, Montezuma, GA 31063

District 6 - September 16th at 7pm - Burke Co Extension Auditorium 715 West 6th Street Waynesboro, GA 30830

District 7 - September 11th at 12pm - Sass! 420 W Jackson St, Thomasville, GA 31792

Until Next Time,

GMP