By Doug Chapin, MMPA Board Chairman
2024 was a year that will be remembered as a good year for producers and a strong and exciting year for MMPA. It also had its challenges.
We started 2024 with a one-year extension to the 2018 Farm Bill. The goal was that Congress could get agreement on a new Farm Bill during the year, but that failed to happen, and we ended the year with another one-year extension. With assistance from the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), we will definitely be monitoring the efforts for a new Farm Bill next year.
The efforts to modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order have also finally reached the finish line. Assuming the new order is approved we will be operating under the new system the second half of 2025. This culminates several years of work and diligence by both NMPF and MMPA staff.
The H5N1, or avian flu, was not on anyone’s radar when the year started. This virus in dairy cattle is new and has been found in 19 states all across the country. MMPA has cooperated with both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to aid in learning more about the virus. We continue to learn about the virus and recognize that it is an issue that continues into 2025. The one thing we know for sure is that pasteurization works and our products remain safe for consumers.
At MMPA our success in 2024 was built on our actions in the past few years. With the momentum of a new member governance structure, the release of a sustainability report and the recognition of our members’ impressive milk quality, our strategic initiatives have clearly changed us for success in 2024 and the future.
One of the most memorable moments for MMPA in 2024 was the groundbreaking of the Dairy Distillery Alliance at our Constantine, Michigan facility. MMPA leadership, Board members and government leaders at the local, state and federal level gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of America’s lowest carbon dairy ethanol plant. Dairy Distillery Alliance signifies an important commitment to sustainability by MMPA and is attracting attention in the industry.
Another groundbreaking partnership we announced this year was with Amul, a brand owned by the largest cooperative in the world. We worked to bring Amul branded fluid milk to America through this partnership and today their sales continue to grow, adding milk volume and pushing into new markets. This relationship was only possible because of Superior Dairy’s unique bottle filling technology and expertise at the plant. This has been an exciting partnership, we are looking forward to seeing what is next!
In 2024 we also expanded our ultrafiltered (UF) milk processing capacity at our Constantine, Michigan plant. UF milk is highly sought after in today’s consumer environment because of its high protein, low sugar attributes. MMPA is uniquely positioned to serve the market thanks to our commitment to quality and the efforts of our sales team.
All of these projects are the result of continuing to build relationships with customers and understanding their needs, and sharing some of their goals. Our members provide us with high quality milk and capital that help us meet not only our customers needs but our member owners as well.
2024 was a year that the milk supply remained tight and provided opportunities. It would of been easy to take the win that the marketplace was offering. We were not complacent and content with a short term win. MMPA continued to push on projects that will offer us wins into the future.
We know that 2025 will bring new challenges to the dairy industry. Some may be expected, such as market changes and continued efforts on the avian flu, and some will be unexpected and unknown today. Either way our team at MMPA is prepared to deal with the challenges, to offer solutions and chart MMPA through it. Our team headed by President & CEO Joe Diglio remains committed to the future of MMPA and the success of its members.
This article was originally published in the January/February 2025 issue of the Milk Messenger. Subscribe »