In this week's news, the Senate Republicans announce their farm bill priorities, ag-related legislation is introduced, Wisconsin sets influenza A testing requirements for exhibition and more.

Better whey and butterfat product exports, along with the ever-growing cheese category, helped settle U.S. dairy product exports at a 3% rise in April, marking the second month of the year to record growth. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot view at dairy-related export categories.

Three new states have detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle. Last week, state departments in Iowa, Minnesota and Wyoming reported cases of the disease, bringing the total of affected states to 12 and number of cases nationwide to just over 90.

Milk checks for May milk production will improve thanks to a big jump in the Class III milk price, propelled by a large increase in the value of protein.

News rippled through the greenhouse gas (GHG) space as announcements were recently made regarding both dairy methane emissions in California as well as the voluntary carbon market across the nation.

Strengthening crop prices and good corn and soybean planting progress boost farmer sentiment in latest survey.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a third human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection. The USDA is adding an additional $824 million in emergency funding to continue to provide critical rapid response activities and is launching a pilot program to give dairy producers more testing options prior to interstate movement of dairy cattle.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report May 31, which includes feed costs used to calculate April Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. A $9.60 per hundredweight (cwt) margin was the result of a rally in milk during the second half of the month to offset the steady feed markets.

From methane reduction and greenhouse gas programs to nutrition programs and NASS surveys, here is the week's news to wrap up May 2024.

Led by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), the House Committee on Agriculture approved its version of the 2024 Farm Bill with a 33-21 vote during the scheduled markup on May 23. Next, the bill will advance out of committee to the U.S. House of Representatives before the August recess.