Digest Highlights

• Dairy-RP weekend sales periods modified
• Global Dairy Trade index holds
• USDA dairy trade forecast revised higher
• NMPF: Dairy is resilient
• Pennsylvania CDE to host CFAP sign-up webinar
• USDA allows extensions on insurance deadlines, deferral of interest
• DMI launches month-long dairy celebration

The stories continue to roll in regarding the donation of dairy products – frequently from dairy farmers and their organizations who themselves are suffering economically – to those in need.

A dramatic downturn in April’s U.S. average milk price has triggered the largest monthly indemnity payments in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program’s history.

Digest Highlights

• ‘Everyday’ dairy retail sales still strong
• USDA accepts Section 32 fluid milk, CARES cheese contracts
• USDA solicits bids for mozzarella cheese, UHT milk
• States to sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay TDML obligations
• USDEC: Vietnam lowers dairy tariffs
• Food Supply Protection Act introduced
• Yahara Pride Farms releases 2019 phosphorus reduction report
• Dairy Alliance donates to Discovery Park of America

U.S. consumers are increasingly interested in how their food is produced. Understanding consumer preferences and the choices they are making can help dairy producers, and the industry in general, understand consumer demand for production practices.

Progressive Dairy provides updates on dairy-related organizations and companies, compiled from staff news sources and industry press releases. Email industry and organization news to Progressive Dairy Editor Jenna Hurty.

The recent run-up in dairy product prices has helped spur optimism for milk futures prices for the remainder of 2020. It also provides a temporary plateau from which to view one of the most volatile periods in dairy pricing history.

My grandfather would take eggs and cream to the local town grocery store every Saturday night. The grocer gave him a price on the cream; if my grandfather did not like the price, he could not take it home to see if prices were higher next week. When he sold his cream, he was only one step away from the consumer, but he was still a “price taker.”

Digest Highlights

• April dairy cow slaughter high despite meat plant challenges
• 2020 graduates getting 500,000 pizzas from DMI, Pizza Hut
• CFAP: What about crop payments?
• Dairy retails sales started May strong
• California FMMO: Fluid milk sales move back to pre-COVID-19 trends
• Survey reveals COVID-19 impact on specialty cheese industry
• USDA buying dairy products, soliciting bids
• USDA boosts rural business, producer loan guarantees
• Progressive Dairy COVID-19 resources

You’re busy milking cows, trying to find a market for some cull cows, finishing up planting and harvesting some forages. With that in mind, Progressive Dairy looks at issues in the news impacting you and your dairy business.