Following a striking 7% year-over-year gain in the third quarter of 2024, fourth quarter is looking less impressive as data revealed a 9% fall in milk solid equivalents in November 2024, the second consecutive month of fewer exports.

As January 2025 gets underway, here is a look at the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line.

December 2024 Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) pooling estimates, uniform prices and producer price differentials are scheduled to be released on Jan. 11-14.

In this week's news, the FDA plans to test raw cow’s milk cheese nationwide for HPAI, January FSA interest rates continue to rise, the USDA provides more than $8 million in second round of payments to help organic dairy producers, and Saputo's COO steps down after three months.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Dec. 31, 2024, which includes feed costs used to calculate the November Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. As expected, the margin fell to $14.29 per hundredweight (cwt).

Francisco Peñagaricano, with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, believes selective breeding could provide practical and effective options for dairy farmers seeking to mitigate emissions from their future herds.

The 2024 year ended with Class III prices showing more traction in December than in previous months as cheese and whey protein prices improved, and Class IV prices remained elevated to reflect strong market conditions.