USDA Ends Dairy Checkoff Support for ESG Initiatives

USDA has directed the dairy checkoff program to stop funding environmental, social and governance initiatives, saying producer-funded assessments should be used to strengthen markets and promote dairy products rather than support climate-related goals.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the move Thursday, describing it as a return to the original purpose of commodity checkoff programs.  USDA said the action ends dairy checkoff support for ESG-related projects pursued through the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, including efforts tied to greenhouse gas reductions and net-zero targets.  The Department also directed the Agricultural Marketing Service to ensure that research and promotion funds in other commodity checkoff programs are not used to advance ESG mandates.

USDA said producers fund the programs through mandatory assessments and that those dollars should be used to expand markets and support agriculture.  The Department added the dairy checkoff remains effective in its core mission, citing research from Texas A&M University that found dairy promotion investments generated an estimated $5.93 return for every dollar spent.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com