With 315 filings, farm bankruptcies were up 46% from 2024. Declining farm receipts and rising expenses, primarily in crop markets, led to an increase in the number of U.S. farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2025.

Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices dwindled more than $1 from December 2025 in most orders, the result of robust production and waning consumer demand.

On Feb. 13, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture released the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026.

In dairy-related news the second week of February 2026: The USDA opened enrollment for CRP programs, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy elects new board executive committee, U.S. and Argentina trade agreement includes dairy, and the DCHA opens registration for its annual conference and trade show.

USDA WASDE raised 2026 milk production and prices, increased beef output and fed cattle prices, and projected steady corn, soybean and cottonseed prices.

Continuing from the first half of last year’s trend, interest rates in the third quarter of 2025 fell according to lender surveys from Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Minneapolis Federal Reserve districts.

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the first week of February 2026: Agriculture groups join forces for USMCA renewal, farmer sentiment drops sharply, the GDT index takes another big jump, and the annual “Plant a Seed” campaign is now open.

The new year will not be starting out strong for most dairy producers as they can anticipate weaker milk checks in January, based on a review of Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class prices.

As trade data continues to be released following the six-week government shutdown last fall, records indicate a favorable end to the 2025 year for U.S. dairy products.