First-quarter dairy product exports ended on a positive note, with volume growing 3% in March. As the first three months of 2025 trailed just 0.5% behind 2024 volume, the value over the same period grew 14%, marking a first-quarter record at $2.3 billion. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot look at dairy-related export categories.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines in early May 2025: U.S., U.K. reach trade deal that increases access for American farmers, producer sentiment improves on long-term optimism, and the GDT index continues to climb.

Making headlines as the calendar moved from April to May 2025: The U.S. and Indonesia sign landmark dairy agreement, USTR calls out misuse of common food names, May FSA interest rates slightly lower and news from two dairy cooperatives.

Dairy producers should anticipate another month of lower milk prices based on a preview of Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class prices. Announced April 30, April 2025 FMMO Class II, Class III and Class IV milk prices were lower than March’s prices.

March’s margin was $11.55 per hundredweight (cwt), the result of a relatively stable feed cost but sinking all-milk price as then-talks of a looming trade war pressured the export market while domestic consumer spending cooled at the same time.

Dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in March lowest since 2008.

The milk market is taking shape with components reaching record highs and milk production climbing with the spring flush, but also with trade wars shaking the grain markets and concerns for domestic dairy demand letting up. Current forecasts predict 2025 dairy margins to be favorable although not as strong as previously anticipated.

In news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines the last full week of April 2025: May Class I drops to $18.37 per cwt, a final rule reauthorizes the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, IDFA to eliminate artificial colors in school dairy products, and Chobani invests $1.2 billion in New York processing plant.

Fifteen states including Texas, Idaho and South Dakota boosted milk production a combined 303 million pounds in March.