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.

Expo en Español is an educational opportunity for attendees of World Dairy Expo – from dairy farm owners, laborers and everyone in between. The sessions, which are sponsored by Progressive Dairy, span from transition cow management to leadership within the farm business and are offered each day of the show at 2 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall. 

The USDA released a report in early August that forecast record corn yields this fall – production surpassing 16 billion bushels with a record-high yield of 188.8 bushels per acre. The announcement created buzz in the markets, which only further aided dairy producers’ income over feed cost (IOFC) outlook for the remainder of the year.

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.

Lender surveys from Chicago, Dallas and Kansas City Federal Reserve districts demonstrated another weak quarter as interest rates on agricultural loans declined in the second quarter of 2025.

Cull cow slaughter rates increase despite a smaller dairy herd and increased demand and prices for dairy cow replacements.

In dairy-related news this week: FSA office reminds dairy producers that DMC premium payments are due Sept. 1, nutrient management solutions are featured on Wisconsin farm tours Aug. 19-21, FARM Program seeks nominations for Farmer Advisory Council, and a new dairy trade show is set to launch in Vermont in November.

Central Life Sciences, the makers of Starbar products, announced Aug. 12, 2025, that Golden Malrin Fly Bait (EPA Reg. No. 2724-274) will be reclassified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a restricted-use pesticide (RUP), effective as of July 29, 2025.