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3 clusters · 7 sources · 21 days · First seen · Last updated

USDA dairy industry funding policy changes

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented new restrictions and requirements affecting dairy industry funding. In September 2026, Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a prohibition on using dairy checkoff funds for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) projects, including net-zero and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. Rollins stated the directive aims to return programs to their core mission of expanding markets, arguing that mandatory assessments should not fund climate agendas that might increase costs for farmers.

Following this, in October 2026, a coalition of 28 dairy industry organizations petitioned the USDA to reverse a newly introduced 25 percent cost-share requirement for the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives. The coalition warned that this first-time matching mandate threatens the future of the program, which supports dairy businesses across 41 states. The group requested that the USDA reissue funding opportunities without the required match and extend application deadlines to allow for financial impact assessments.

Entities

U.S. Department of Agriculture · Brooke Rollins · American Dairy Coalition · Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives · Dairy Farmers of America

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    USDA ends dairy checkoff funding for ESG projects

    The USDA is ending dairy checkoff funding for ESG and net-zero initiatives to refocus resources on market expansion and supporting American producers.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Dairy industry coalition urges USDA to reverse new funding requirement

    A dairy industry coalition is calling on the USDA to eliminate a new 25 percent cost-share requirement for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, warning it threatens the program's future.

  3. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    USDA restricts dairy checkoff funds for ESG and climate projects

    The USDA has banned the use of dairy checkoff funds for ESG and net-zero initiatives, refocusing the mandatory assessments on market expansion and producer profitability.

Sources

badgerherald.com · foodbev.com · legalinsurrection.com · midwestfarmreport.com · q106.com · tsln.com · wattsupwiththat.com