NMPF calls for fair milk pricing

Jun 07, 2024

Board addresses H5N1 response

By Farms.com

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Board meeting concluded with discussions on fair milk pricing and dairy's response to H5N1 influenza. Randy Mooney, a Missouri dairy farmer, expressed confidence in the industry's resilience.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is set to unveil its plan for Federal Milk Marketing Order modernization, a move championed by NMPF. The board reviewed recent policy developments, including progress on the 2024 Farm Bill and updates on H5N1 influenza.

NMPF Chief Science Officer Dr. Jamie Jonker led discussions on H5N1, emphasizing its importance to dairy's future. The meeting coincided with NMPF's annual Young Cooperators fly-in, where dairy farmers advocated for the industry with lawmakers.

Dairy farmers urged passage of a Farm Bill, expanded market access for U.S. dairy products, and federal action on milk labeling integrity. The board also considered improvements to the Cooperatives Working Together program and elected three new members.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

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Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.