The annual National Cooperative Bank survey showed dairy co-ops made up 16 of the Top 100 cooperatives for revenue in 2021. There were probably more.

Digest highlights

• ‘Dairy states’ alfalfa hay production lower
• FMMO issues topic of Farm Bureau forum
• AFBF releases dairy policy priorities for 2023 Farm Bill
• GDT product prices decline
• Lawsuit seeks EPA Clean Water Act action on regulating CAFOs
• August fluid sales post uptick
• CDFA awards methane reduction grants
• DairyAmerica named U.S. Dairy Exporter of the Year

Finding consensus on FMMO issues hasn’t been easy.

• 2023 DMC enrollment period closes Dec. 9
• Continue using current Form I-9
• USDA extends comment period for organic livestock handling rules
• Proposal blocks SEC GHG emission disclosure requirements for farms

Despite economic headwinds, U.S. dairy products remain popular in global markets, spurring a fifth straight month of year-over-year growth.

For the January-August period, dairy embryo exports totaled 10,918, the highest eight-month total to start the year in the past five years, already surpassing the 2021 annual total.

A wide gap in September Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) Class IV and Class milk prices extends the incentive to depool Class IV milk.

• 2023 DMC enrollment period is Oct. 17-Dec. 9
• Farm bill dairy provisions reviewed
• California, New York approve farm labor laws
• GDT product prices decline
• Ag producer sentiment drifts lower