January 21, 2026

2026 Dairy Policy Outlook

27 minutes

What agricultural policy items should you be keeping an eye on in 2026? Our guests share insight on workforce, trade and the farm bill while stressing the importance of advocacy with the turnover in Congress.

Dairy Stream host, Joanna Guza, and guests Heidi Fischer of Fischer-Clark Dairy and Michael Torrey of Torrey Advisory Group discuss the following topics:

Reflect on ag policy and what we can learn

Workforce, labor shortage

Exports

Positives and negatives of tariffs

Farm bill

FDA, Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Renewable Fuel Standards

How to advocate

About the guest

Michael Torrey founded the Torrey Advisory Group in 2005. Mike’s commitment to the critical role of agriculture remains the foundation of the firm, and he has developed an experienced, bipartisan team who is dedicated to working for the greater good through food, agricultural, and related industries. The team’s ranks include experts in science, nutrition, legislative policy, and trade.

Heidi Fischer is a dairy farmer and owner of Fischer-Clark Dairy in Hatley, Wisconsin, where they milk 1,100 cows and farm 2,800 acres. Heidi is currently serving as the president of Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.

Resources:

Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative policy priorities

Edge member portal

Contact Edge Chief Policy Officer Karen Gefvert at [email protected]

Learn more about Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative.

Compeer Financial is proud partner of Dairy Stream. Learn more about Dairy Stream sponsorship.

This podcast is produced by the Voice of Milk, a collaboration of individual dairy organizations working to improve the future of dairy farm families. Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing [email protected].

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