Members Approve Policy For 2026

Nov 26, 2025

Policy focused on conservation, dairy checkoffs, livestock disaster programs and other key issues was approved by KLA members during the group’s annual business meeting November 21 in Manhattan.

A new resolution was passed supporting market-based payment rates for participation in voluntary conservation programs. The resolution also states KLA supports increased technical assistance payment rates and greater access to private technical service providers associated with programs administered by USDA.

KLA members approved a new resolution that supports both the national dairy checkoff and Kansas dairy checkoff as important promotion and research programs that help dairies maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets for fluid milk and dairy products. The resolution clarifies the need for administrators of both programs to make regular reports accessible to Kansas dairy producers, so they have a better understanding of the financial position of the checkoffs and the effectiveness of their programs. Members also believe the Kansas dairy checkoff should maintain an efficient and user-friendly refund process, should a producer choose that option.

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Video: Next Mile Ep 1: Navigating Disease Prevention

The Next Mile, host Dr. Meredith Petersen, Director of Swine Health at the National Pork Board, sits down with Dr. Cara Haden, Director of Animal Welfare and Biosecurity at Pipestone, to unpack the National Swine Health Strategy and what it means for producers across the country.

Meredith walks through how the strategy came together: a producer-led effort launched in March 2025 in response to input gathered at the National Pork Industry Forum, built around two core goals, keeping foreign and emerging diseases out of the U.S. herd and reducing the impact of domestic diseases already here, including long-term elimination targets for PRRSV and PEDV.

Cara then brings the conversation down to the farm level, sharing how Pipestone scores biosecurity across seven key areas: air, feed, water, people, supplies, trucks and pigs, plus everything within the farm perimeter. She and Meredith dig into why farm leadership and daily culture, not just protocols on paper, ultimately determine whether biosecurity efforts stick.

Whether you're a producer, veterinarian, or anyone invested in herd health, this episode offers a grounded look at where the industry is headed and what everyday habits make the biggest difference.