Factoring into dairy feed costs, 2023 dry hay acreage is expected to rebound slightly from last year’s 115-year low.

The February 2023 indemnity payments continue what looks to be a lengthy trend, with monthly margins projected to be below $9 for all months until October.

Here’s an update on risk management tools available through the USDA and/or USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), as well as information impacting your milk check.

California milk output was down despite increase in cow numbers.

The forecast for first-quarter beef production was raised 15 million pounds based on a faster expected pace of cow slaughter in the latter part of the quarter that will more than offset less bull slaughter and lower aggregate carcass weights.

Uniform prices were lower, the "average-of" Class I mover formula provided a small benefit on Class I prices and more Class IV milk returned to the pool.

Moisture conditions are improving, but hay exports and milk prices are weakening, with a likely impact on demand.

The 2023 milk production forecast was raised by 200 million pounds from last month, based on a larger cow inventory.