Many dairy producers in California are cautiously optimistic about what 2025 has in store, including Tyler Ribeiro from Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare. Topping his list of concerns right now are feed and water costs.

Bird flu or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was a wild card for the dairy industry in 2024, as the first diagnosis in dairy cattle happened in Texas in late March. Progressive Dairy interviewed state veterinarians and animal health officials in the five states with the most cases of bird flu on dairy farms – Texas, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado and California – to learn more about their approach to managing and minimizing the disease.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines as we finish February 2025: Class I base price dips for March, legislation is introduced to improve milk pricing transparency, and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins releases funding to honor farmer contracts.

In news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line as we begin February 2025: The USDA confirms second strain of HPAI found in dairy cattle, the GDT index takes a good leap, farmer sentiment remains optimistic despite trade uncertainty and more.

World Ag Expo will be held Feb. 11 through 13 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California, and will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors, numerous seminars, demonstrations, farm tours and more.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the second round of states coming on board as part of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) that was launched Dec. 6.