In the news affecting dairy producers this fourth week of July 2025: A partnership has been formed to increase revenue opportunities for dairy farm sustainability practices, fluid milk sales in May remain lower than 2024, the U.S. dairy industry celebrates Julie Callahan nomination for chief agricultural negotiator, and World Dairy Expo announces its 2025 virtual farm tours.

The dairy product export scene was both good and bad in May. Despite U.S. cheese exports setting yet another record for volume shipped in a single month, and others like butterfat, milk powder and high-protein whey posting year-over-year gains, shipments of low-protein whey and lactose to China plunged and caused a 2% decline in total year-over-year milk solids equivalent (MSE) exports.

In the Weekly Digest: Culver’s offers free frozen custard to dairy farmers, the Senate agriculture committee released its budget reconciliation text, NMPF recaps its board of directors meeting, and Rabobank provides a global dairy supply and demand report.

As predicted, April faced headwinds against looming trade wars and strong performances seen in April of last year. U.S. dairy product export volume fell 5% year over year in April and was down 1.5% year to date.

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.

First-quarter dairy product exports ended on a positive note, with volume growing 3% in March. As the first three months of 2025 trailed just 0.5% behind 2024 volume, the value over the same period grew 14%, marking a first-quarter record at $2.3 billion. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot look at dairy-related export categories.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines in early May 2025: U.S., U.K. reach trade deal that increases access for American farmers, producer sentiment improves on long-term optimism, and the GDT index continues to climb.

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.

The U.S. dairy product export market stumbled in February as cheese continued its strong growth performance, recording a 7% year-over-year improvement in milk solid equivalents (MSE), but nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NFDM/SMP) fell to its lowest export value since 2019, leading to a year-over-year 5% fall in total dairy product exports. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot look at dairy-related export categories.

Even with evolving trade dynamics, the global dairy market is looking to see growth in 2025. Analysts at Rabobank anticipate dairy farmers worldwide will see higher revenues due to elevated milk prices. Higher farmgate milk prices will lead to supply expansion following 2024’s weaker milk production in key exporting regions.