The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report offers forecasts for dairy, beef and feedstuffs.

Producer milk checks will be lower once again in March based on a preview of Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class prices. Announced April 2, March 2025 FMMO Class II, Class III and Class IV milk prices were down once again from the month prior. Class I milk class prices also fell, as announced previously.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report March 31, which includes feed costs and milk prices used to calculate the February Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. February’s margin was $13.12 per hundredweight (cwt), the result of an improved market for corn coupled with a 50-cent drop in the all-milk price.

The start of the new year predicted favorable margins throughout 2025. But as the spring flush arrives and consumer spending softens some, while at the same time headwinds are expected for the export markets, new concerns have arisen for the remainder of the year.

Nineteen states including California, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Washington reduced milk production a combined 554 million pounds in February.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines the third week of March 2025: Class I base milk price falls again for April, the USDA begins disbursement of economic assistance to farmers, Hilmar opens new Kansas facility, and more scholarships are available.

Making headlines the second week of March 2025 includes the EPA revising the Waters of the U.S. rule, China's tariffs on U.S. dairy and fluid milk sales for January.