Julie Sweney

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative approves of the $19 billion-dollar agriculture disaster assistance package released today, providing much needed financial support to U.S. dairy farmers. “Every day, dairy farmers have continued to get up and do their job to their best ability, day in and day out, producing a wholesome, nutritious product for consumers across the world,” […]

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative commends the teamwork approach by two leading dairy organizations, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), for their proposal to national leaders on how best to support the dairy industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is no more important time than now for the industry to

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative joined with other Midwest dairy cooperatives to send a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue on April 1, urging him to exercise all of his previously existing and new authorities to provide additional means of support for U.S. dairy farmers. “After five very economically challenging years for dairy farmers, market predictions from USDA

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative applauds the House of Representatives, the Senate and the President in their quick response to approve and pass legislation as the coronavirus pandemic unfolds across the nation. “These are unprecedented times for everyone, calling for unprecedented support from our nation’s leaders,” says John Rettler, dairy farmer from Neosho, Wis. and president of

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative commends our Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle for working together as they draft a bipartisan package to provide relief to all Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. FarmFirst would also like to extend its gratitude to those dedicated to keeping dairy’s supply chain going – processing plants, milk haulers, and

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative urges Congress to explore every option available to provide financial and legislative support to dairy farmers during the coronavirus pandemic. “Dairy farmers were looking to 2020 to be the year of improved milk prices and to slowly begin recovering from the past few years of low milk prices,” says John Rettler, dairy

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative scholarships for 2020 are once again available to membership youth pursuing a post-secondary education. The scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2020. “In its eighth year, the scholarship program is a true testament to the cooperative’s commitment of supporting youth and their higher education. Since 2013, more than $145,000 has been awarded

John Rettler of Neosho, Wis. was re-elected as president of FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative’s board of directors. Other officers elected were Steve Brock of Daggett, Mich. to serve as vice-president, Kathy Bauer of Faribault, Minn. as secretary, and Wayne Gajewski of Athens, Wis. as treasurer. Re-elected to three-year terms included Bob Dietzel of East Dubuque, Ill.,

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative members and delegates gathered on February 14-15 to learn more about hot industry topics, approve new public policy for 2020 and look back on the cooperative’s accomplishments during the past year at its eighth annual meeting in Oshkosh, Wis. The Producer Discovery Workshops kicked off Friday afternoon, featuring Dr. Mark Stephenson, Director

FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative welcomes dairy farmers to attend the cooperative’s Producer Discovery Workshop series as part of its 2020 Annual Meeting taking place on Friday, February 14, 2020 at the Premier Best Western Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wis. “Opening the doors to our Producer Discovery Workshops allow for more dairy farmers to learn