In dairy-related news the second week of July 2025: Southern border ports closed to livestock just days after reopening, disaster assistance available for farmers, base change is approaching for calving traits, and World Dairy Expo Dairy Cattle Show entries now open.

May’s margin was $10.41 per hundredweight (cwt), only a 1 cent decline from April’s margin and the result of movements in the all-milk price and feed costs that largely offset each other.

Most of the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) pricing revisions went into effect in June and will begin to be reflected in July milk checks. Additionally, announced changes to several risk management insurance programs will also soon impact producers’ bottom lines for those enrolling in 2026 coverage. All of this to say that now may be the right time to reevaluate risk management decisions for your dairy operation.

Dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in May lowest since 2008.

Sixteen states including Texas, Idaho and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 418 million pounds in April.

In the Weekly Digest: Culver’s offers free frozen custard to dairy farmers, the Senate agriculture committee released its budget reconciliation text, NMPF recaps its board of directors meeting, and Rabobank provides a global dairy supply and demand report.

Board leadership from the Dairy Farmers of Washington and Dairy West recently announced they will be joining forces under the Dairy West brand. Additionally, Steve Seppi, who previously served as the executive director of Dairy Farmers of Washington, has been selected as the new CEO of Dairy West.