The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), proud host of the 2024 World Championship Cheese Contest, is honoring Contest judge Russell Smith; Contest volunteers Kevin Thome of the Cheese Reporter and Bruce Workman of Edelweiss Creamery; and the Danish Dairy Board for their outstanding contributions to the event. The awards were presented on Wednesday, March …
At the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference held in Abu Dhabi the week of February 26th, U.S. trade officials highlighted the importance of fair and sustainable trade practices, while U.S. dairy industry organizations encouraged reforms and efforts to help improve market access for U.S. ag exports.
In remarks at the Ministerial Conversation on …
The International Dairy Foods Association’s (IDFA) Healthy School Milk Commitment was officially recognized the week of March 1st, at a special event organized by the White House to announce new commitments under the Biden-Harris administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. IDFA’s Healthy School Milk Commitment is a pledge by 37 school milk processors …
Milk supply and use estimates for 2023 are adjusted to reflect revisions in production and cold storage data, says USDA in its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released today. For 2024, the milk production forecast is lowered to 227.3 billion pounds, down 900 million pounds from last month, due to smaller dairy …
Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) Executive Director Jaime Castaneda testified on February 21st before U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) trade policy staff on the need for the U.S. government to proactively secure protections from trading partners that guarantee the right of producers to use common food and beverage names, such as “parmesan” or “feta.”
The …
The U.S. dairy sector enters 2024 facing lower feed prices and a smaller dairy herd, but broadly strengthening prices for both dairy products and fluid milk production, according to Michael McConnell, livestock, dairy and poultry analyst for USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board. McConnell shared his “Outlook for U.S. Dairy” during USDA’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum …
December U.S. cheese production, excluding cottage cheese, totaled 1.210 billion pounds, up 0.9% from the 1.199 billion pounds of cheese produced in December 2022, according to data released the week of January 29th, 2024 by USDA’s Natural Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). December cheese production was up 4.4% from the 1.159 billion pounds produced in November …
In its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report released February 8th, USDA notes the 2024 milk production forecast is lowered to 228.2 billion pounds, down 100 million pounds from the forecast in January 2024, due to lower expected output per cow, which is partly offset by higher cow inventories.
The Wisconsin Ag Coalition, local government and timber industry advocates and the Department of Transportation held a press conference on February 12th to promote the Agricultural Road Improvement Program. The program, created last year in Wisconsin Act 13 and funded as part of the biennial state budget, will provide $150 million to fund projects …
Global dairy product entries for the 35th biennial World Championship Cheese Contest has reached 3,302 cheeses, butters, yogurts and dairy ingredients, according to event host Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA).
“In the U.S. and around the world, the Contest’s gold medal seal on the labels of award-winning products drives consumer purchases and boosts sales,” said …