The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Sept. 30, which includes feed costs and milk prices used to calculate the August Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. August’s margin was $11.52 per hundredweight (cwt) as a result of corn prices falling more than a quarter and milk prices rising a dime.

In dairy-related news as we near the end of September 2025: The USDA issues second economic assistance payment to farmers; ADM, Alltech join together in new North American animal feed venture; CoBank looks at the U.S. butterfat boom; Darigold names Amy Humphreys chief executive officer; and Skylar Diggins debuts puffer jacket made with milk.

In dairy-related news the last full week of September 2025: An animal affected by New World screwworm was found just 70 miles south of the U.S.-Mexico border, dairy product contest awards announced, checkoff groups enhance dairy presence in schools and World Dairy Expo forage seminars are announced.

In the news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines in the middle of September 2025: the October Class I base milk price falls to $18.04, the Federal Reserve makes its first rate cut since December, the GDT index is down slightly, and fluid milk sales were down in July.

On Sept. 15, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 in a dairy cattle herd in Nebraska.

The milk production forecast for 2025 is raised on higher cow inventories and a faster rate of growth in milk output per cow. Estimated at 230 billion pounds of milk, it was raised 800 million pounds from last month’s report.

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy on Sept. 9. The plan, with more than 120 initiatives to reverse America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic, includes restoring whole milk in schools.

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line this first week of September 2025: The USDA outlines a plan to strengthen the rural veterinary workforce, farmer sentiment weakens, the GDT index tumbles 4.3%, and Westby Cooperative Creamery announces a $14 million expansion.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Aug. 29, which includes feed costs and milk prices used to calculate the July Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments.

In dairy-related news at the end of August 2025: a CoBank report shows dairy heifer inventories to shrink further before rebounding in 2027, checkoff launches an innovation contest for students, World Dairy Expo announces new trade show booth awards, and Dairy MAX names a new CEO.