The National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council and Consortium for Common Food Names welcomed the release of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) 2026 Special 301 Report, which details the significant progress made over the past year in securing commitments from U.S. trade partners to protect the free use of generic food and beverage terms. The annual report documenting the most pressing intellectual property issues facing U.S. exporters this year spotlights the administration’s successful efforts to protect American producers’ use of common names such as “parmesan” and “feta” against the European Union’s protectionist geographical indication (GI) policies.
Kristin Paul has been appointed Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) and National All-Jersey Inc. (NAJ), bringing more than two decades of experience and a lifelong connection to the Jersey breed to the role.
The International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA) and the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Vance as Executive Director of both organizations. Vance brings more than two decades of leadership experience in agriculture, nonprofit management, communications, and member-driven organizations. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of the Poultry Science Association, where he led strategic growth initiatives, strengthened member engagement, and advanced the organization’s global scientific mission. He is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE), reflecting his expertise in governance, strategy, and nonprofit leadership.
Dean Pringle has been selected as the new chair of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Department of Animal Sciences. Pringle, who is currently the director of the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Marianna, and Live Oak, Florida, said as a fifth-generation Floridian, he understands how essential the beef, dairy, equine, small ruminant and animal products industries are to the state.
On June 1, Maria Woldt will become the third director of the Dairy Innovation Hub, a state-funded initiative that brings together scientists, farmers, businesses, and educators to explore new ideas to ensure Wisconsin’s $52.8 billion dairy sector remains globally competitive while advancing economic, environmental, and social sustainability. The Hub leverages research and development across UW–Madison, UW–Platteville and UW–River Falls to support dairy businesses and train the future workforce.
As Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary, the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand—funded by Beef farmers and ranchers—is turning America’s most iconic highway into a coast‑to‑coast celebration of beef with the Route 66 Beef Trail. The Beef Trail is a coordinated effort between state beef councils spanning all eight states along the iconic route and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) Beef Checkoff-funded programming. To explore the Route 66 Beef Trail and see how Beef Checkoff partners are bringing the centennial to life, visit our Route 66 Beef Trail home page.
World Without Cows: The Pasture Paradox takes an inside look at Ireland’s pasture-based dairy landscape, a global model for sustainable production, as producers work to meet growing demand for grass-fed dairy while protecting the land and water they depend on. The Pasture Paradox is a companion mini-doc produced by the filmmakers of World Without Cows, a feature-length documentary slated for broad release later this year. World Without Cows examines the cultural and economic significance of cows, their role in feeding the world and their impact on climate.
Bold ideas and unexpected flavors took the spotlight as ice cream and cultured dairy innovators gathered for the International Dairy Foods Association’s Innovative Flavors and Products competition. This contest, co-sponsored by Dairy Foods magazine and held during IDFA’s Ice Cream & Cultured Innovation Conference, is widely regarded as the premier showdown for frozen-treat creators across the country (and beyond). The conference brought more than 300 dairy professionals to the Sunshine State to sample and celebrate the next wave of dairy creativity. Entries in both the ice cream and cultured dairy space spanned the spectrum, mixing sweet and nutty flavors like Pistachio Cherry Chunk and Honey Roasted Peanut, alongside adventurous spicy profiles including Tropical Mango Fire and Chocolate Chili Crisp, all reflecting the creativity shaping what’s next for frozen and cultured dairy.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) endorsed the Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels (FAIR Labels) Act. This legislation would ensure consumer transparency by addressing the labeling of cell-cultivated protein and plant-based alternative protein products. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., sponsored the bipartisan Senate version of the FAIR Labels Act. Reps. Mark Alford, R-Mo., August Pfluger, R-Texas, Mike Flood, R-Neb., Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, Buddy Carter, R-Ga., and Tony Weid, R-Wis., sponsored the House version.
Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) announced the formal launch of its search for a new president and chief executive officer, following the announced planned retirement of CEO Barbara O’Brien later this year. The DMI Board of Directors has engaged ZRG Partners, a top ten global talent advisory firm, to support a comprehensive and inclusive search process aimed at identifying a dynamic leader to guide the organization into its next chapter of growth and impact.
