The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Sept. 30, which includes feed costs and milk prices used to calculate the August Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. August’s margin was $11.52 per hundredweight (cwt) as a result of corn prices falling more than a quarter and milk prices rising a dime.

As fall arrives and a new month approaches, the dairy industry is buzzing with concern over falling milk prices as domestic supply flows with strong outputs of butter and cheese, and exports remain strong, particularly with cheese products turning out record volumes month over month.

The USDA released a report in early August that forecast record corn yields this fall – production surpassing 16 billion bushels with a record-high yield of 188.8 bushels per acre. The announcement created buzz in the markets, which only further aided dairy producers’ income over feed cost (IOFC) outlook for the remainder of the year.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Aug. 29, which includes feed costs and milk prices used to calculate the July Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments.

In dairy-related news this week: FSA office reminds dairy producers that DMC premium payments are due Sept. 1, nutrient management solutions are featured on Wisconsin farm tours Aug. 19-21, FARM Program seeks nominations for Farmer Advisory Council, and a new dairy trade show is set to launch in Vermont in November.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report July 31, which includes feed costs and milk prices used to calculate the June Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments.

The first milk checks reflecting the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) revisions are arriving in producers’ mailboxes, reflecting both benefits and drawbacks of the revisions. At the same time, milk prices are softening after several months of relatively strong performances, perhaps the result of increased cow numbers and expanded processing capacity available in the marketplace now, among other influencing factors.

May’s margin was $10.41 per hundredweight (cwt), only a 1 cent decline from April’s margin and the result of movements in the all-milk price and feed costs that largely offset each other.

Most of the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) pricing revisions went into effect in June and will begin to be reflected in July milk checks. Additionally, announced changes to several risk management insurance programs will also soon impact producers’ bottom lines for those enrolling in 2026 coverage. All of this to say that now may be the right time to reevaluate risk management decisions for your dairy operation.