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.

April’s margin was $10.42 per hundredweight (cwt) after feed costs were stronger than expected and the milk price fell again, pushing the margin down from March and resulting in the year’s lowest margin yet.

Lender surveys from Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Minneapolis Federal Reserve districts reflected the pressures of a subdued agricultural economy as interest rates on agricultural loans declined for another straight quarter in the first three months of 2025.

Dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April lowest since 2006.

Eighteen states including Texas, Idaho and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 387 million pounds in April.

Revenue for dairy producers should climb in June as the trivial markets during the spring are forecast to improve with the income over feed cost margin predicted to settle at $12.60 per hundredweight (cwt). Additionally, the USDA announced upcoming changes to the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance programs that will affect dairy producers.

Here is the news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line this third week of May 2025.

In news relating to dairy farmers in mid-May 2025, the House Ag Committee passes reconciliation bill to cut SNAP and enhance farm safety net programs. Also, the USDA opens CRP enrollment and plans to survey producers in June.

Prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows continued to climb entering the first half of 2025, hitting a new record-breaking high in April, according to latest quarterly estimates from the USDA.