26 March 2025

In this Issue:

• Headlines
• Secretary Rollins Visits GA
• SDBII Reopens Application Period
• GA General Assembly Update
• GDYF Golf Tournament
• Upcoming Events
• GMP Classifieds

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

• UGA CAES Drives Nearly $900M of Economic Impact in 2024
• 37 Finalists Advance to the 2025 Flavor of Georgia Finale
• USDA Explores Funding Opportunity for Projects to Fight Bird Flu
• Emergency Commodity Assistance Program
• How Beef Tallow Made a Comeback
• USDA Announces New Leadership of FSA, NRCS, and RMA
• The Snacking Recession: Why Americans Are Buying Fewer Treats
• Ag Groups Seek Tax Policy Permanence
• How Funding Freeze is Affecting American Farmers
• Lawmakers’ Letter to President: Keeg Ag in Mind with Trade Policy Discussions
• Senate Confirms Marty Makary to Lead FDA
• US Dairy Products Are Still Competitively Priced
• Dairy’s Pronounced Advantage Over Plant-Based Alternatives
• US Dollar Weakens; Consumer Food Purchasing Changes
• Finding a Safety Net and Protecting Your Margin With Dairy Margin Coverage Free Webinar
• Time Running Out for Dairy Farmers to Sign Up for Dairy Margin Coverage
• Is There Hope for Higher Milk Prices?
• Attention-Grabbing Milk Production Report Highlights a Surge in Cow Numbers

Dairy Margin Coverage Deadline is May 31st

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting applications for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) for the 2025 coverage year until March 31, 2025. DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. The American Relief Act, 2025 extended many Farm Bill-authorized programs for another year, including DMC. 

DMC offers different levels of coverage, even an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. The administrative fee is waived for dairy producers who are considered limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged or a military veteran. 

DMC payments are calculated using updated feed and premium hay costs, making the program more reflective of actual dairy producer expenses. These updated feed calculations use 100% premium alfalfa hay.  For more information on DMC, visit the DMC webpage or contact your local USDA Service Center.



SDBII Precision Technology and Farm Infrastructure Improvement Grants Deadline is April 2

Dairy producers have one week left to apply for two on-farm improvement grants with the Southeast Dairy Business Innovation Initiative. The Precision Technology and Management and the Farm Infrastructure Improvement grants provide cost-share funding to dairy producers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico.

If you are Georgia Milk Producers member and you are interested in either of these grants, you can speak to a team of grant writing professionals that can help you plan and write your application. GMP is partnering with the folks at Lasso to help our dairy farmers find and secure more grant funds. GMP members can consult with Lasso to find grants and determine if they are a good fit.

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.

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



Dairy Market Report & Market Information Bulletin for March

The March Dairy Market Report from National Milk Producers Federation and DMI is available with updates on production figures, commercial usage figures, milk prices and more. 

NMPF-DMI March Dairy Market Report

Also available is the Market Administrator’s Market Information Bulletin for Federal Order 6 and 7 with market summaries for both orders, the March 11 WASDE Dairy Report, and uniform prices.

Market Information Bulletin FO 6 & 7

Georgia General Assembly Update

Recent Votes of Interest:

It’s been a while since our last E-News, and quite a bit has happened at the Georgia General Assembly since then:

Tort Reform Passes: SB 68 passed the House of Representatives and received final approval from the Senate on Friday. This bill shields property owners from liability claims stemming from criminal acts by third parties, allows defendants to introduce evidence showing the injured party was not wearing a seatbelt in auto accidents, and requires plaintiffs to show juries their actual medical costs when the jury is deliberating on compensation. This being a priority of the Governor, he is expected to sign it. The other half of the Governor’s tort reform package, SB 69, has yet to be considered for a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Hurricane Relief Bill: HB 223 exempts certain disaster relief payments for agricultural losses suffered due to Hurricane Helene from State income tax reporting requirements. It also includes a refundable income tax credit for timber producers, exempts building materials for replacing poultry houses, livestock barns, and greenhouses from sales tax. The senate also combined HB 223 with SB 52, the “TREES ACT” which grants certain counties the ability to offer temporary tax relief for the sale and harvest of standing timber in disaster zones. The House of Representatives agreed to the Senate’s changes last week and the bill awaits Gov. Kemp’s signature.

Veterinary Telemedicine Bill: SB 105 would allow licensed Georgia veterinarians and veterinary technicians to practice tele-advice and veterinary tele-triage for clients. It also expands the Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship in statute to allow for the practice of veterinary telemedicine by Georgia licensed vets. This bill passed the House Agriculture Committee on March 21 and must move through the House Rules Committee before receiving a vote from the full House of Representatives.

CUVA Acreage Cap Increase: HB 90 and HR 32 passed the Senate over a week ago. This bill increases the acreage cap from 2,000 to 4,000 acres for properties enrolled in conservation covenants. The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.

Our friends at GA Agribusiness Council and Georgia Farm Bureau do a good job of tracking ag bills. I encourage you to look back at last week's Inside Ag newsletter or the GFB Action Center to see the full slate of bills that the ag community is tracking.

GAC's Inside Ag

GFB Action Center



GDYF Annual Golf Tournament - There's Still Time to Support

Join the Georgia Dairy Youth Foundation for its annual golf tournament on March 28th at Hard Labor Creek Golf Course. This yearly fundraiser supports dairy youth programming like commercial dairy heifer shows.

To sign up or sponsor, email gadairyyouth@gmail.com or call 706-343-6997

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

Thank you to our Associate Members

The missions of Georgia Milk Producers is to support, sustain, and grow the Georgia dairy industry. In addition to our partners in industry who support the Georgia Dairy Conference each January, we are also offering an opportunity for allied industry to partner with GMP year-round, network with producers throughout the year, and promote their companies outside of the conference. Thank you to our inaugural Associate Members, FERA Animal Health and BMO Bank.

Until Next Time,

Bryce Trotter