USDEC and NMPF Sign Partnership with Guatemalan Dairy Association

Mar 24, 2025

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and Guatemalan Dairy Development Association (ASODEL), signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday that will strengthen ties between the U.S. and Guatemalan dairy industries as they advocate for free and fair trade policies and promote greater dairy consumption.

The agreement outlines objectives aimed at strengthening communication and knowledge-sharing between the two industries, underscoring the economic and social significance of the dairy sector, and addressing trade barriers that negatively impact both producers and consumers alike.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in the U.S. dairy industry’s ongoing dedication to collaborating with and supporting our partners in Guatemala and throughout Latin America,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “A strong trade relationship benefits both U.S. and Guatemalan dairy sectors, and it’s clear that imposing misguided trade barriers harms everyone, particularly Guatemalan consumers. We are excited to work together to continue to build a strong partnership between our two industries.”

“The U.S. and Guatemalan dairy sectors share values and common goals,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with ASODEL to champion effective, forward-thinking policies that will strengthen the dairy industry in the Americas and globally.”

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Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.