Digest Highlights

• May Class III and IV milk prices move to two-year highs
• Emergency forage provisions sought in Upper Midwest
• California Dairies Inc. joins NMPF
• Coast-to-coast dairy rally takes on child hunger
• Wet weather slows field progress, barge traffic
• April dairy product output mixed

Another attempt to ensure students have more milk options with their school breakfasts and lunches has been introduced in the House of Representatives. The bipartisan School Milk Nutrition Act of 2019 was introduced June 5. A similar bill was introduced in 2017.

Digest Highlights

• Farm wages continue to rise
• Minnesota dairy producers eligible for DMC rebates
• Global Dairy Trade index lower
• EPA rule grants dairy manure air emissions reporting exemption
• FFAR grant funds research to decrease dairy feed costs
• USDA lowers ag export forecast
• Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin election results certified
• Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board appointees named
• FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative pays milk loss benefits
• DFA turns social currency into ‘milk money’

Plan to attend this exciting learning and networking event in Rochester, Minnesota, June 18-20.

With less than two weeks until dairy producers begin signing up for the 2019 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program, those who plan to select the highest level of coverage are ensured indemnity payments for a fourth consecutive month.

Dairy industry relief over an agreement to end tariff and retaliatory tariffs related to steel and aluminum has been replaced with confusion over a new tariff threat announced by President Donald Trump.

This spring’s slow planting progress and multiple government programs are creating uncertainty in corn and soybean markets. For dairy producers, those dynamics are also influencing projected milk income margins using the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program formula.

In some circles, increased dairy cow culling and the trend toward more dairy farmers breeding a percentage of their dairy cows and heifers to beef sires has raised concerns over the impact on U.S. beef supplies. Latest data from University of Wisconsin – River Falls ag economics professor, Brenda Boetel, and research assistant, Jared Geiser, shows the importance of dairy-beef to the total U.S. beef supply, but also puts some of those concerns to rest.

Digest Highlights

• June Class I base price tops $17 for first time in 29 months
• California ‘Stop QIP’ petition falls short of required signatures
• Product inventories continue to build
• Darigold expands sales, logistics capabilities in Mexico
• USDA Economic Research Service employees vote to form union
• Farm Credit East Dairy Farm Summary reveals 2018 struggles
• Bill creates indefinite moratorium on agricultural mergers
• Land O’Lakes, Mars Wrigley seek dairy sustainability solutions

The Undeniably Dairy campaign – created two years ago by the dairy checkoff to build trust and relevance in dairy with consumers – is hitting its mark. Dairy farmers are a key part of the program’s content. And, consumers want to hear their stories!