19 November 2025

Headlines

• Dairy Herd: A Conversation with Sec. Rollins on Labor, Disease, and MAHA
• USDA Announces Opening of Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Tampico, Mexico
• Dairy Industry Invests Billion in Infrastructure, But Labor Issues Loom
• Milk Production Outweighs Demand
• U.S. Dairy Praises Latin American Trade Frameworks
• The Trump Administration is Racing to Reframe His Tariff Rollbacks
• Driving Results for US Dairy: A Journey of Innovation and Trust
• Labor Shortages Threaten $11 Billion US Dairy Infrastructure Investment
• NMPF’s New Chairman Brian Rexing Addresses Challenges Facing US Dairy Producers
• October 2025 Uniform Milk Prices Fell in all 11 Regional FMMOs as all Milk Class Prices Dropped
• Trump Administration Delivers Second Stage of Crop Disaster Assistance to Farmers

Reminder: Emergency Livestock Relief Program Sign-Ups End THIS FRIDAY

The Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) will be open for dairy and livestock producers to enroll until close of business this Friday, November 21. This is a program specifically designed to assist livestock producers with losses incurred from hurricanes over the past two years. To date, this is the only USDA program authorized to assist dairy and beef producers (outside of other programs that may cover some fall crops or pasture losses). 

GMP encourages every dairy producer to contact your local USDA Farm Service Center to learn how you can enroll before the deadline this Friday. To read more about this program and how to apply, click here.

Bulk Milk Dispenser Ribbon-Cutting at Red Top Middle School

On November 13th, The Dairy Alliance and Georgia Milk Producers joined Bartow County Schools at Red Top Middle School in Emerson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the system's adoption of bulk milk dispensers in seven schools across the district. Georgia dairy farmer and The Dairy Alliance Board of Directors member Ted Trotter also attended the ribbon-cutting. Bartow County Schools is the 3rd district in the state with bulk milk dispensers and is the first district with dispensers at multiple schools. Red Top Middle School is the first middle school in Georgia with a bulk milk dispenser.

Back in June, the Georgia Milk Producers Board of Directors voted to commit $200,000 to support the purchase and placement of bulk milk dispensers in cafeterias across Georgia. Trials from other states in The Dairy Alliance service area (8 southeastern states) show a significant increase in fluid milk consumption in schools that transition away from traditional open-top coolers and cartons of milk to dispensers. One case study in a Virginia public school found milk consumption increased by as much as 52% due to reduced waste and increased student interest. Through this partnership between The Dairy Alliance and Georgia Milk Producers, over 30 dispensers will be installed in schools across Georgia.

At the ribbon-cutting, The Dairy Alliance's Will McWhirter thanked Red Top Middle School and Bartow County Schools for their commitment to supporting the dairy industry through the installation of a dispenser. Ted Trotter expressed how dairy farmers want to improve the school milk experience, and how this is a huge step forward for both our farmers and students. Anna Clark, Bartow County Schools Nutrition Marketing Specialist, and Wes Dickey, Red Top Middle School Principal, both welcomed the audience to the school and expressed their commitment to extending learning opportunities to engage students and teach them to understand where their food comes from. Thank you to The Dairy Alliance, Bartow County Schools, Red Top Middle School, and Ted and Gail Trotter for representing Georgia dairy farmers.

Government Shutdown Ended Last Week

Congress passed and President Trump signed legislation to fund the federal government and end the 43 day government shutdown Wednesday, November 12. The funding measure included full funding for USDA and FDA for fiscal year 2026 (ending September 30, 2026). USDA Service Centers have been open since Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins ordered them to reopen for basic service in October. The bill also included $10 billion for farm loans and $850 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide technical assistance to producers.

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

December 7-9 - Georgia Farm Bureau Convention

Jekyll Island Conference Center - Jekyll Island, GA

January 19-21 - Georgia Dairy Conference

Marriott Savannah Riverfront Hotel - Savannah, GA

February 16 - February Florida Snowbirds - The 2026 Dairy Old Timer’s Breakfast

O’Brien’s Irish Pub - Brandon, FL - Register and Learn More

The Georgia Milk Producers Fall Internship program is entering its third year, and we are thrilled to have three great ABAC students join the team this semester. Stay tuned over the next couple of weeks as we introduce the intern team that will help plan and run the Georgia Dairy Conference. This week we're introducing...

Riley Stockman

Until Next Time,

GMP