27 February 2025

In this Issue:

• Headlines
• Corporate Transparency Act Filing Requirement Reinstated
• Grant Opportunities for GMP Members
• Dairy Market Report
• Southeast Vet Summit
• Upcoming Events
• GMP Classifieds
• Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol is March 6

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

• Mars Pledges $27M to Help Dairies Reduce On-Farm Emissions
• USDA Will Not Ban Cattle Imports from Mexico Over Latest Screwworm Case
• Here’s Why the Agriculture Industry Is Divided On Combating Avian Influenza with a Vaccine
• Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Increase Transparency of Milk Pricing
• Senators Press for Rapid Action on Federal Bird Flu Strategy
• Milk-drinking is Having a Moment
• John Deere Announces 16th Round of Layoffs in Iowa
• Trump Says Canada and Mexico Tariffs are “Going Forward” with More Import Taxes to Come
• Why Are Restaurants Selling Beef from Dairy Cows?
• Elanco and Medgene Collaborate on Bird Flu Vaccine for Dairy Cattle
• US Dairy Industry Poised for Growth Despite Challenges
• Where Will the Replacement Heifers Come From?
• Economic Update: Class I Base Price Dips for March
• Flock of Starlings Can Eat 1,000 lbs of Feed Per Day
• What the MAHA Agenda Means for Dairy
• House Passes Budget Resolution; Sec. Rollins Looks to Crack Down on SNAP Benefits
• USDA Details 5-Pronged Bird Flu Response Plan
• Immigration Officials Say Everyone Living in the US Illegally Must Register, What Does that Mean?
• Science Makes the Case for Whole Milk

Corporate Transparency Reporting Deadline Back....Again

In a new twist to the legal “will they, won’t they” saga of the Corporate Transparency Act and its reporting requirements, a federal court in East Texas reinstated the filing requirement that mandates businesses file their beneficial ownership information with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by March 21.

Passed in 2021, the Corporate Transparency Act requires businesses to register any “beneficial owner” of the company in order to identify and weed out money laundering. Farms structures as c-cops, s-corps, or LLCs are required to register their owners if they employ fewer than 20 employees or receive under $5 million in cash receipts. 

The filing with FinCEN will include all personal information for each owner including address, birthday, tax ID numbers, and the like. Additionally, any changes in address or name changes among the beneficial owners will require an updated filing. 

Failure to comply can result in criminal fines and civil fines up to $591 per day.

You can access the FinCEN website HERE to file your report. The Treasury Department does encourage business owners to file in advance of the deadline as a surge in online traffic at the deadline could lead to issues with the website and potentially delay any requests for assistance.

Further Reading:

• Updated Guidance on the Corporate Transparency Act and Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting - National Law Review
• Presentation on Timeline of CTA and Who Must File - Holland & Knight

Grant Opportunities for GMP Members

Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. is providing a new opportunity for members who are looking for grant funding to support growth and innovation on their farm. GMP is teaming up with Lasso, a grant-writing and management firm, to provide free grant consultation support for on-farm projects. 

Here’s how the process works: 

Georgia Milk Producers will cover the first two steps in the process.

1. Initial consultation: Lasso will learn about your farm and proposed project to understand your operations and needs. 

2. Funding identification: They’ll find grants that fit your project and make sure you meet all eligibility and competitiveness criteria. 

After this point, you can work with Lasso directly - speak to their team on their grant-writing fees.

3. Application creation: From start to finish, Lasso manages the entire application process. They'll manage stakeholders, inputs needed, and narratives to create a high-quality application 

4. Post-award support: If awarded, Lasso makes sure all requirements are met to help you get reimbursed as soon as possible. 

Contact Lasso at contact@joinlasso.com or (312) 833-7726 or contact Bryce at bryce@gamilk.org or 229-221-3906 with any questions.

February Grant spotlights: 

Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) 

A federal grant supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. 

Funding details: Covers up to 25% of project costs in current cycle: 

• Up to $1M for renewable energy projects 
• Up to $500k for energy efficiency projects 

 Upcoming deadline: 

• Grant application due: March 31, 2025 
• Sign up with Lasso for support: February 14, 2025 

Future changes: The grant may return to 50% cost coverage in the next cycle (July 2025) pending administrative updates. 



Southeast Dairy Business Initiative (SBDI) 

A regional grant supporting farm infrastructure improvements (e.g., facility improvements to reduce heat stress; investments in milk storage, cooling and transportation efficiency; milk harvest improvements; feed and forage management) and precision technology (e.g., enhance labor efficiency, reduce energy cost, improve animal health, increase land utilization). 

Funding details: Up to $100k award; 25% match required

 Upcoming deadline: 

• Grant application due: March 5, 2025 
• Sign up with Lasso for support: ASAP  

FULL LIST OF GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FARMS (Feb 2025)



Dairy Market Report by NMPF/DMI

From the NMPF-DMI joint February Dairy Market Report’s overview:

Fluid Milk sales in the United States showed their first year-over-year gain in 15 years during 2024, rising by 0.6% over 2023. 2024’s fourth quarter was a rather weak one for U.S. dairy exports, but cheese exports were a bright spot, reaching a new high for exports as a percentage of domestic production, at 7.9% for the entire year. Following the first two months of last year’s fourth quarter with significant increases in U.S. dairy cow numbers, December’s number was only 3,000 head above the previous year’s, raising questions about what previously appeared to be an unambiguous and rather vigorous growth trend emerging in the national dairy cow herd. Total milk solids growth was almost a full percentage point higher than growth of liquid milk production during the quarter. 

Overall retail price inflation ticked up again in January, up 3% from a year earlier. The CPI for all dairy and related products came close in January to matching the all-time high it reached in February 2023, but some major dairy products, including whole milk and cheese, remain below the records they reached late in 2022. 

The December margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program was $13.38/cwt.

Read the full February report HERE.

Southeast Food & Farm Veterinary Summit

The Georgia Veterinary Medical Association and Alabama Veterinary Medical Association are partnering to host the Southeastern Food and Farm Veterinary Summit (SEVS). The SEVS focuses on the latest research, trends and best practices related to animal health, food safety, sustainable agriculture, and food animal medicine more broadly. 

Make plans to attend March 28-30, 2025 at the Auburn Opelika Marriott Resort & Spa at Grand National. There are 3-day and 1-day registrations available for interested veterinarians as well as member rates for current ALVMA and GVMA members. 

View the conference program and register HERE.



GMP Classifieds

7 Valve Federal Filler for Sale in Hall County (GA) - $30,000

Used mechanical filler for sale. Good Condition. Great for Start-Up Processing Plant. Email gcdairy@gmail.com for more details, photos, and videos.

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

Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol

Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 6 for Steak Biscuit Day at the Capitol with Georgia Cattlemen's Associations and Georgia Milk Producers. This is one of the most highly anticipated events at the Capitol each year. GA Milk will be providing chocolate and whole milk for breakfast while the Cattlemen will be serving steak biscuits. The GA Mobile Dairy Classroom will also be there for a milking demo. We encourage all of our producers to attend and visit with their legislators.

When: March 6, 2025 at 7:00 AM

Where: Georgia State Capitol - Mitchell Street between Capitol Building and Coverdell Legislative Office Building

Tell Us How we Did?

The 2025 Georgia Dairy Conference is over, but there's still time for our attendees to complete our feedback survey and let us know what we can do to make GDC 2026 even better! Will you take 5 minutes and help us improve our event?

LINK: General Attendees Survey

LINK: Sponsor/Exhibitor Survey

The 2025 Georgia Dairy Conference featured dynamic speakers from across the dairy industry. Many of our attendees ask for copies of the presentations to review after the conference. You can now view the presentation slides and recordings of the presentations at our website: www.gadairyconference.com/proceedings



Until Next Time,

Bryce Trotter