Vilsack says U.S. Dairy has taken 'a gut punch' but will bounce back

More than 95% of the world’s population lives beyond U.S. borders and many countries can’t produce enough milk to meet their citizens’ growing demand for dairy.

In media interviews this week, U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO Tom Vilsack didn't sugarcoat the negative impact COVID-19 is having on the U.S. dairy industry, calling it a "gut punch."

But Vilsack also expressed confidence that exports will bounce back with creative innovation that serves markets around the world, particularly Southeast Asia, where USDEC is opening a U.S. Center for Dairy Excellence in Singapore.

"We are a resilient bunch," Vilsack told news media participating in a Friday teleconference. "We will get through this. We are committed to reimagining the new normal to promote U.S. dairy products." 

USDEC's chairman Larry Hancock sent an email message on Friday offering "some words of hope for all USDEC member organizations as well as my fellow dairy farmers who are the primary funders of USDEC through the dairy checkoff."

Hancock runs a dairy farm in Muleshoe, Texas, about 70 miles northwest of Lubbock. It’s a family-owned and managed operation, with his wife, Pam, and two of his children.

"Every farmer knows calamity can strike suddenly. Around a month ago, our industry seemed to be on an upward trajectory with six straight months of positive export growth and projections that milk prices were finally poised to rise."

Today, milk prices have plummeted and exports are projected to go down, not up, the rest of 2020. 

"More than 95% of the world’s population lives beyond U.S. borders," Hancock said. "Many countries can’t produce enough milk to meet their citizens’ growing demand for dairy products and ingredients. Our message to the world is we’re open for business and we’re ready to go."

Below is a sampling of tweets from Vilsack's media interviews this week.

Farm Week Now/RFD Radio

Dairy farmers face big challenges due to #COVID19 and its impact on commodity prices. USDEC's Tom Vilsack offers his perspective in an interview @FarmWeekNow: https://t.co/bJi7t25ODa pic.twitter.com/nZq72In5Am

— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) April 10, 2020

Dairy Radio Now

USDEC is maintaining contact with global customers, despite challenges posed by #COVID19. USDEC’s Tom Vilsack tells @DairyNOW more about long-term opportunities for U.S. dairy exports: https://t.co/fRtgDPv0de pic.twitter.com/OZZ8OmWg1y

— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) April 9, 2020

Agri Talk

The U.S. dairy industry is exporting safe, nutritious, sustainably produced food to a world dealing with #COVID19, USDEC’s Tom Vilsack tells @agritalk. Hear more about this: https://t.co/FYfghnG2GM pic.twitter.com/dCc9grYY1S

— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) April 9, 2020

Adams on Agriculture

“We need to be resilient” in face of #COVID19 challenges, USDEC’s Tom Vilsack tells @MikeAdamsAg. USDEC is continuing to promote U.S. Dairy abroad and support the industry. Listen to check out how: https://t.co/AktU0rKh9P

— U.S. Dairy Exporter (@USDairyExporter) April 8, 2020

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The U.S. Dairy Export Council fosters collaborative industry partnerships with processors, trading companies and others to enhance global demand for U.S. dairy products and ingredients. USDEC is primarily supported by Dairy Management Inc. through the dairy farmer checkoff. How to republish this post.