Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices climbed $1.14 per hundredweight (cwt) in March for an average price of $18.55 per cwt across all 11 orders.

In dairy-related news the second week of April 2026: NMC announces agenda for June regional meeting in Wisconsin, the GDT index drops 3.4%, farmer sentiment improves despite rising input costs, and Hiland Dairy hosts a grand opening at its Texas production facility.

The USDA’s April WASDE raised 2026 milk production to 235.3 billion pounds as increases to the dairy cow inventory more than offset slower growth in milk output per cow.

February cemented the speed at which U.S. dairy exports are moving in today’s global marketplace.

In dairy-related news during the first week of April 2026: the Holstein Association USA board approves additional changes, U.S. farmers share their planting intentions, USDA expands SNAP dairy nutrition incentives, and World Dairy Expo announces award winners and new board members.

Dairy markets continue moving in the right direction as milk class prices improve substantially month over month as recorded in the latest Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class price report.

In dairy-related news to finish out March 2026: ADC seeks transparency in USDA cost survey, NMPF: Dairy product prices see noticeable improvement, Holstein Association USA board approves updates to TPI formula, and a collaboration creates bilingual videos on cattle sustainability.

Despite dairy margins strengthening – particularly in Class III and Class IV – which offered an increase in the all-milk price and offset sturdy feed costs, it was not enough for February’s margin to sit above the maximum payment threshold of the DMC program.

As we look to the second quarter of 2026, dairy markets have improved and margins are historically strong with forecasts playing in producers’ favors, particularly with incremental improvements in Class III and Class IV.