OUR POLICY
AGENDA

AMPI members understand the importance of being engaged in the development of federal policies that impact their livelihoods.

    • Support a Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) system that treats all U.S. dairy farmers fairly regardless of the location where milk is produced, or the product type or class within which milk is utilized.

    • Update FMMO Make Allowances to reflect current production costs and establish mandatory cost surveys to improve data quality moving forward.

    • Preserve the countercyclical structure of federal dairy safety net programs, assuring they support dairy farmers — not just milk volume. Support administration of the Dairy Margin Coverage program.

    • Advocate for dairy trade agreements that benefit the U.S. dairy industry.

    • Oppose efforts to restrict U.S. dairy production and exports through use of overly restrictive geographical indications (GIs), or protected food names.

    • Support immigration reform that does not adversely affect dairy farmers.

    • Promote the integrity of dairy products through standards of identity. Vigorously oppose the use of dairy terms in the marketing of imitation dairy products.

    • Support child nutrition legislation that encourages utilization of dairy’s unique nutritional benefits in school meal programs. Advocate for the return of whole milk to school lunch menus.

    • Encourage the development of policies that support the voluntary reduction of environmental emissions, such as greenhouse gases and nutrient runoff, through market-based economic incentives and climate-smart agricultural programs.

    • Support the use of consistent environmental standards between all governmental agencies. Any regulations should consider practical methods of maintaining environmental quality consistent with efficient and economical dairy farming and manufacturing operations.

    • Underscore the dairy industry’s commitment to producing high-quality milk and dairy products begins with responsible care of animals and natural resources.

OUR POLICY IN ACTION

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Representing dairy, together

Being heard on policy matters that impact our livelihood has been an AMPI hallmark since the co-op was formed in 1969. Through the years, we’ve nurtured relationships with legislators to ensure Midwest dairy farmers’ views are heard and understood.

AMPI members are represented in state and federal policy development by four primary organizations:

Midwest Dairy Coalition

AMPI is an active member of the Midwest Dairy Coalition. This alliance of dairy cooperatives represents dairy producers in eight Upper Midwest states on federal dairy policy issues. The Coalition collectively represents nearly 7,600 dairy farmers, or about 18 percent of the dairy farmers in the nation.

On a regional basis, the Coalition's membership represents a majority of dairy farmers in the Upper Midwest, and provides an effective and useful forum for dairy organizations to discuss, debate and propose common action dealing with the ever-changing federal dairy issues of the day.

National Milk Producers Federation

AMPI is one of 30 member cooperatives of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, Va. NMPF develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of more than 32,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.

NMPF provides a forum through which dairy farmers and their cooperatives formulate policy on national issues that affect milk production and marketing. NMPF's contribution to this policy is aimed at improving the economic interests of dairy farmers, thus ensuring the nation's consumers an adequate supply of pure, wholesome and nutritious milk and dairy products.

The policies of NMPF are determined by its members from across the nation. Therefore, the policy positions expressed by NMPF are the only nationwide expression of dairy farmers and their cooperatives on national public policy.

International Dairy Foods Association

IDFA represents and engages all segments of the dairy industry – farmer-owned co-ops, private processors, suppliers and distributors. The organization focuses on state and federal legislation and regulation that impacts members, as well as policies and research that affect opportunities to develop markets for dairy. IDFA serves as an advisor to members, delivering data, insights, research and analysis that helps the dairy industry and professionals operate more efficiently and effectively.

wisconsin cheese makers association

The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association serves dairy manufacturers, processors, and their industry supplier partners as a strong policy advocate, networking hub, and trusted source of education and information. WCMA proudly hosts the renowned U.S. and World Championship Cheese Contests, as well as CheeseExpo and CheeseCon (formerly Cheese Industry Conference).

For more than 130 years, WCMA has served as the voice of cheese and dairy manufacturers, processors, and marketers. Today, our organization represents 110 dairy processing companies and cooperatives operating across the United States and around the world, backed by 550 companies supplying equipment and services to the industry.