In dairy-related news at the end of May 2025: U.S. dairy secures greater market access with Costa Rica, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission report was released, a SNAP dairy incentive program expands to Arkansas, and the Holstein Association USA names a  distinguished leader and elite breeder.

April’s margin was $10.42 per hundredweight (cwt) after feed costs were stronger than expected and the milk price fell again, pushing the margin down from March and resulting in the year’s lowest margin yet.

Revenue for dairy producers should climb in June as the trivial markets during the spring are forecast to improve with the income over feed cost margin predicted to settle at $12.60 per hundredweight (cwt). Additionally, the USDA announced upcoming changes to the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance programs that will affect dairy producers.

In news relating to dairy farmers in mid-May 2025, the House Ag Committee passes reconciliation bill to cut SNAP and enhance farm safety net programs. Also, the USDA opens CRP enrollment and plans to survey producers in June.

The USDA has suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico through southern border ports, effective immediately, due to the resurgence of the New World screwworm. Screwworm is a parasitic fly that poses a significant threat to livestock and wildlife.

Making headlines as the calendar moved from April to May 2025: The U.S. and Indonesia sign landmark dairy agreement, USTR calls out misuse of common food names, May FSA interest rates slightly lower and news from two dairy cooperatives.

March’s margin was $11.55 per hundredweight (cwt), the result of a relatively stable feed cost but sinking all-milk price as then-talks of a looming trade war pressured the export market while domestic consumer spending cooled at the same time.