Rexing elected new NMPF chairman

ARLINGTON, Texas — Brian Rexing, an Indiana dairy farmer and a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative, was chosen as the National Milk Producers Federation’s 15th chairman at the organization’s annual meeting.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your chairman,” said Rexing in his first remarks after being named to the position by NMPF’s Board of Governors.

“I may be stepping into this role, but it isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about who we represent and the future we’re building together.”

Rexing and his wife, Ranell, operate New Generation Dairy near Owensville in southwestern Indiana, milking 1,200 cows and farming 3,500 acres of corn, beans, wheat and alfalfa.

He is a fourth-generation farmer and has four children. He is the vice president of Evansville Young Dairymen and received the Indiana Dairy Producer of the Year award 2010.

In 2021, Rexing purchased a meat processing plant with a retail store. He is a member of DFA’s Executive Committee.

Rexing succeeds Randy Mooney, who has served as NMPF’s chairman for the past 17 years. Mooney, who also serves as chairman for Dairy Farmers of America, will remain on NMPF’s Executive Committee.

“It is one of the great honors of my life to work alongside so many dedicated farmer-leaders who care deeply about the future of dairy,” he said. “I’m proud to pass the baton to Brian Rexing — a leader who carries forward the spirit of dedication, vision and integrity that defines NMPF and our entire industry.”

Along with Rexing and Mooney, NMPF’s officers and Executive Committee will consist of:

• 1st Vice Chairman Cricket Jacquier — Agri-Mark.

• 2nd Vice Chairman Simon Vander Woude — California Dairies Inc.

• Secretary Craig Caballero — United Dairymen of Arizona.

• Treasurer Pete Kappelman — Land O’Lakes.

• Sheryl Meshke — AMPI.

• Rob Vandenheuvel — California Dairies Inc.

• Melvin Medeiros — Dairy Farmers of America.

• Joel Eigenbrood — Foremost Farms.

• Brian Hemann — Lone Star.

• Jon Cowell — Maola Local Dairies.

• Doug Chapin — Michigan Milk Producers Association.

• Frank Doll — Prairie Farms.

• Jacob Larson — Southeast Milk Inc.

Also at the meeting, NMPF’s Board of Directors approved the organization’s policy positions and elected new members.

New board members approved by NMPF delegates, a broader group than the board, include:

• Amy Humphreys — Northwest Dairy Association.

• Kurt Williams — Lanco Pennland.

• Stephen Mancebo — Land O’Lakes.

• Brian Hemann — Lone Star Milk Producers.

• Will Dyt — California Dairies Inc.

The members awarded Honorary Directors for Life recognition to former NMPF Board members Jim Werkhoven of the Northwest Dairy Association and Joey Fernandes of Land O’Lakes.

The meeting of roughly 750 farmers and industry professionals featured breakout sessions on industry topics ranging from an economic outlook to the dairy labor challenges.

The annual meeting was held in conjunction with NMPF’s Young Cooperators Leadership and Development program for younger dairy leaders, as well as NMPF’s annual cheese contest.