USDA highlights support during National Dairy Month

 In January, for instance, USDA announced the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). ODMAP was established to help mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. Under ODMAP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency is making $104 million available to organic dairy operations to assist with marketing costs. ODMAP began May 24 and runs through July 26, 2023.

Furthermore, since its inception in 2019, the USDA said Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives have been supporting dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing and distribution of dairy products. DBI Initiatives provide direct technical assistance and grants to dairy businesses, including niche dairy products, such as specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from the milk of a dairy animal, including cow, sheep and goat milk.