Newton will highlight top policy priorities heading into 2026 amid dairy market volatility, price formula changes, deteriorating milk price levels, milk check transparency concerns, and workforce challenges.

He recently returned to American Farm Bureau, where he leads the organization’s government relations, advocacy, and economics teams and serves as chief economist.

Previously he was executive head of Terrain, a research-focused team partnering with Farm Credit through in-depth food, agriculture, and macroeconomic analysis. From 2021-24, he served as the Republican chief economist for the U.S. Senate Ag Committee and held multiple roles at AFBF from 2016-2021, including chief economist.

Newton’s career spans more than two decades of service to agriculture, with key positions at USDA, including positions with a milk market administrator’s office early in his career.

In addition, ADC has extended a formal invitation to the Honorable Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, or a senior member of her team, to join dairy farmers from across the country by webinar for an update from USDA. A key topic of interest to grassroots members is the 4-point USDA dairy action plan mentioned recently in press reports as farm-level milk margins deteriorate.

To register for the webinar, visit qrco.de/ADC_Dec_11.

ADC is also seeking vendor sponsors for this annual event. By supporting programs like this, companies help amplify their dairy farmer customers’ voice in Washington on a host of current issues they face. Sponsors receive recognition and visibility among grassroots dairy farmers and key policy influencers.

To learn about available opportunities, contact Sue Schultz at 920-288-2322 or email sue@americandairycoalitioninc.com.