While uncertainty remains regarding Trump administration trade policies and a border battle with Canada appears to be escalating, a strong second-half finish improved the U.S. dairy exports picture and pushed 2016 dairy ingredient exports to a record level, according to Alan Levitt, with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

Why did Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) invest in social media and communication training for America’s dairy farmers when there are other pressing needs?

California has regulated the marketing of milk produced within its borders since 1935, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled portions of a federal law covering milk marketing areas was nconstitutional. Now, more than 80 years later, a process is underway that could align California with the federal milk marketing order (FMMO) system.

Citing a “significant and unprecedented imbalance” between milk supply and demand, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) is requesting increased milk pooling flexibility in the Northeast federal milk marketing order (FMMO 1).

Some things don’t change. Yogurt starts with milk, and that requires dairy farmers, cows and feed. However, creating a non-GMO dairy supply chain requires changing some long-held business arrangements. One of those is the producer-processor relationship.

Meet Country Dairy, located near New Era, Michigan. While much of the attention on a non-GMO dairy supply chain has been on the East and West coasts and in small niche markets, Country Dairy is trying to create a larger presence in the Midwest.

Brighter milk prices and income margins mean U.S. dairy producers may be climbing out of the shadows of 2015-16. Based on USDA’s monthly reports, the U.S. average milk price and milk income over feed cost margin hit 24-month highs in December.

Michigan will get some much-needed milk processing capacity, although project completion is more than two years away.

The U.S. dairy industry this week continued to push back against Canada’s protectionist policies that are effectively blocking American dairy imports into the country in violation of international agreements.

Just as dairy farmers were seeing improved milk prices and lower feed costs, some may take a financial hit in another dairy enterprise – Holstein steers and bull calves.