The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its latest Ag Prices report on Jan. 31, including factors used to calculate the December 2023 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) margin.

Progressive Dairy provides monthly online updates of important dates, reports and factors affecting risk management decisions.

A smaller milking herd and improving milk income margins are contributing to lower U.S. dairy cull cow marketing this winter. Through Dec. 30, the number of dairy cows marketed for beef had trailed year-ago levels for 17 consecutive weeks and was down 82,400 from the same period a year earlier.

Monthly U.S. milk production was lower than the year earlier in December 2023, extending the decline to six consecutive months.

Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program software updates necessary for 2024 enrollment will be available in February or March.

Here’s an update on economic factors impacting your dairy profitability during the fourth week of January 2024.

Here’s an update on economic factors impacting your dairy profitability during the third week of January 2024.

Here’s Progressive Dairy’s monthly review of December FMMO data to provide some additional transparency to your milk check.

The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report and Crop Production reports identify milk and feed factors potentially impacting dairy producer income in the year ahead.

November 2023 U.S. agricultural export numbers revealed higher sales volumes of cheese, high-protein whey, dairy heifers and hay.