February 3, 2026  

Register now for our 2026 Annual meeting & Dairy Day at the Capitol

Source: Minnesota Milk

Minnesota dairy farmers and allied businesses are invited to join us at our Annual Dairy Day at the Capitol event on February 24 and 25! Our members meet with legislators to share their stories and advocate for Minnesota dairy.

Learn more about these events as well as sponsorship opportunities below!

Enrollment for the DAIRI/DMC program is now open

Source: Minnesota Milk

Enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program is now open with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Since September, we have coordinated with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the state FSA to ensure a smooth rollout of Minnesota’s Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program that piggy-backs on the DMC program.

Minnesota beef producers to vote on proposed checkoff increase

Source: Minnesota Beef Council

Minnesota beef producers will have the opportunity to vote on a proposed refundable increase of 50 cents per head to the state’s current beef checkoff. It’s been more than 30 years since the last checkoff increase, when the Federal checkoff was implemented for all U.S. beef producers at $1.00 per head.

EPA seeks new members for the farm, ranch and rural communities advisory committee

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

On January 16, 2025, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a solicitation for nominations to serve on its Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

India–US trade deal: The elephant in the room everyone is watching

Source: The Economic Times

India-US trade deal has put agriculture in the spotlight. While US officials highlight significant agricultural exports, Indian officials emphasize broader opportunities. Details remain scarce, particularly regarding specific agricultural products and quantities India will import. This lack of clarity fuels speculation about the actual concessions made by India, especially concerning sensitive sectors like dairy.

Listen to the latest Dairy Stream episode: 2026 Dairy Policy Outlook

Source: Dairy Stream

What agricultural policy items should you be keeping an eye on in 2026? Our guests, Heidi Fischer of Fischer-Clark Dairy and Michael Torrey of Torrey Advisory Group, share insights on workforce issues, trade, and the farm bill, while stressing the importance of advocacy amid turnover in Congress.

Minnesota multigenerational farm transition retreats

Source: University of MN Extension

Farm Transition and Estate Planning workshops and retreats provide farm families with the tools and skills to move forward with developing their farm business transition and personal estate plans.

Upcoming Events

• February 24-25, 2026 | Annual Meeting & Dairy Day at the Capitol
• May 6, 2026 | Ice Cream Day at the Capitol

Thank you to our MN Milk Sponsors

Elite Sponsors

American Foods Group

Compeer Financial

Platinum Sponsors

AgCountry

Agropur

Bongard's Premium Cheese

Select Sires

Gold Sponsors

Alltech

Arnold's of Kimball, Inc.

Minnesota Dairy Initiative

American National