All commodity checkoff programs are being scrutinized for environmental, social and governance initiatives. Effective immediately, checkoffs cannot enforce mandatory ESG commitments or net-zero or climate-neutral frameworks. The dairy checkoff and its sustainability efforts are mentioned specifically, following a lawsuit by three Wisconsin dairy farmers. In a statement, USDA said the dairy checkoff is largely a success, but swift action was taken to bar the promotion and research program from “spending farmer-paid dollars on the radical ESG ideology.” Other checkoff programs with sustainability initiatives will also face cuts.
