On March 2, USDA announced an additional investment of $80 million in the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives. 

The California State University and Fresno Foundation, in partnership with the California Dairy Innovation Center (CDIC), announced the receipt of a $1.8 million award from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to create a “Pacific Coast Coalition” to support dairy businesses in California, Oregon and Washington in the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products.

On Nov. 11, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA), Madison, Wis., applauded USDA’s announcement of $20.2 million in support for the Dairy Business Innovation Initiative, including $6.13 million for a program administered by WCMA and the Center for Dairy Research (CDR).

On Feb. 26, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) said dairy industry leaders from across the country were in Washington, D.C., to urge congressional leaders and appropriators to fund important research, a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) milk incentive pilot program, and dairy standards modernization at the FDA in fiscal year (FY) 2021.

The budget proposal includes an increase in funding for dairy processor grants and more.

The agency earmarks $84.9 million for purchases of fluid milk, other dairy products.