Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) regional uniform milk prices continued to fall in November, in many cases hitting multiyear lows. Across all orders, uniform prices declined an average of 98 cents per hundredweight (cwt) compared to October, with declines of $1 or more per cwt in five of 11 FMMOs.

The milk production forecast for 2025 is unchanged from the previous month, based on the data in the most recent Milk Production report. Estimated at 231.4 billion pounds, it was unchanged from November’s report.

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of December: The Trump administration announces $12 billion farmer bridge payments, the USDA announces plans to expand crop insurance access for farmers, Wisconsin teamsters authorize strike at Actus Nutrition and Foremost Farms, another New World screwworm case detected in northern Mexico, and Tyson Foods announced plans to close a Nebraska beef plant.

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the first week of December 2025: Steps taken to urge dairy enforcement in upcoming USMCA review, Walmart opens milk processing facility in Georgia, a better outlook for the future pushes farmer sentiment higher, and the GDT index falls again.

Dairy producers should anticipate smaller milk checks again this month, based on a review of Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class prices.

Due to the government shutdown, the USDA resumed its monthly Livestock Slaughter report released on Dec. 1. Based on latest USDA monthly data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in October 2025 was estimated at 243,000.

Twenty states including California, Idaho and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 766 million pounds in October.

In dairy-related news the final week of November 2025: the Senate passes Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, the EPA and Army Corps unveil WOTUS proposal, the USDA launches a website for New World screwworm, and dairy leaders share progress and priorities at sustainability meeting.

USDA reports influencing dairy markets remain delayed following the conclusion of the government shutdown, and at the same time, seasonal pressures from the holiday season are shaping the U.S. dairy outlook for December. Producers should evaluate their current risk management options and secure additional coverage as 2025 comes to a close.