On Oct. 26, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer announced agreements and frameworks for trade agreements in four key Southeast Asian markets, a high-growth region for U.S. dairy exports.

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the third full week of October 2025: Class I base milk price tumbles in November to $16.75, the USDA plans to resume FSA operations amid government shutdown, the GDT index is down 1.4%, and Secretary Rollins announces plan for American ranchers and consumers.

At the time of this writing, the government shutdown is now in its fourth week. While the shutdown has many USDA reports delayed and data unpublished, dairy insurance programs are available even if a prolonged shutdown could delay claim processing if indemnities are triggered.

What started as a niche market opportunity, beef-on-dairy, is now a mainstream practice, not only in the U.S. but across the world. A RaboResearch report analyzed how beef-on-dairy is a strategic opportunity to enhance value, reduce waste and reshape global beef supply chains.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines the first full week of October 2025: U.S. government shutdown hits day nine, NEXT assists with nearly 80 million pounds of dairy product export sales, and the USDEC advances trade between Taiwan and Indonesia.

Following the announcement of the federal government shutdown, Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs) released their individual reports on September FMMO Class and Component Prices Oct. 1. The reports indicated another month of sinking prices in Class II and Class IV with the latter taking the biggest hit, down $2.33 per hundredweight (cwt) from August at $16.17 per cwt.

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.

In dairy-related news as we near the end of September 2025: The USDA issues second economic assistance payment to farmers; ADM, Alltech join together in new North American animal feed venture; CoBank looks at the U.S. butterfat boom; Darigold names Amy Humphreys chief executive officer; and Skylar Diggins debuts puffer jacket made with milk.