Twenty-eight organizations urge USDA to eliminate new 25% cost-share requirement and extend December 1 application deadline
MADISON, WI – A coalition of 28 organizations representing dairy farmers, processors, cooperatives, and allied businesses nationwide is urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to eliminate a newly imposed 25 percent cost-share requirement for the Dairy Business Innovation (DBI) Initiatives, warning that the change threatens the future of a proven program supporting dairy businesses across the country.
In a letter dated October 12, the organizations called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reissue its Fiscal Year 2026 funding opportunity without a required match and extend the December 1 application deadline by 60 days. The extension would give prospective applicants additional time to evaluate the financial implications of the new requirement while USDA considers the coalition’s request.
Introduced for the first time in the program’s history, the 25 percent cost-share requirement represents a significant departure from the DBI Initiatives’ established structure. The four existing initiatives are housed at public universities, a state department of agriculture, and a university-industry partnership, none of which has the resources available to meet the new matching requirement.
Established by Congress with bipartisan support in the 2018 Farm Bill and launched during the first Trump Administration with no cost-share provision, DBI connects dairy businesses with specialized expertise and resources to develop products, address technical challenges, improve operations, diversify revenue, and pursue new markets. The four initiatives collectively serve dairy businesses in 41 states.
The coalition emphasized that DBI delivers a strong return on federal investment by leveraging established institutions and regional industry relationships rather than building new federal infrastructure. The program is particularly valuable to small and mid-sized businesses that may have promising growth opportunities but lack the resources or specialized expertise to pursue them independently.
The letter also highlights the importance of preserving these resources amid mounting economic pressures. Dairy farmers and processors continue to navigate volatile markets, elevated production and energy costs, transportation expenses, workforce challenges, infrastructure needs, and intense domestic and international competition.
“Dairy businesses are already navigating significant economic pressures. Adding a 25 percent cost-share requirement to a program designed to help them compete and grow risks putting proven resources out of reach,” said Rebekah Sweeney, Senior Director of Programs & Policy for the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA). “We urge USDA to remove this unnecessary barrier and preserve access to the expertise and support that strengthen dairy businesses, rural communities, and our nation’s food supply.”
The coalition noted that Congress has continued to support DBI because of its role in helping dairy businesses become more competitive, develop new markets, and increase the value of domestic milk. Previous funding opportunities did not require matching funds and provided approximately 60 days for applications. The organizations argue that eliminating the new requirement and extending the deadline are necessary to protect the program’s effectiveness and ensure prospective applicants have a fair opportunity to participate.
The letter was signed by 28 organizations, including the Center for Dairy Excellence, International Dairy Foods Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and WCMA, along with state and regional dairy and agricultural organizations from across the country.
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Read the coalition’s letter to Secretary Rollins at WisCheeseMakers.org.
About the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association
Founded in 1891, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association represents more than 900 companies and cooperatives in 45 states and 22 countries. WCMA advocates for the dairy processing industry and provides members with education, training, industry resources, and opportunities to connect and grow.
