It’s become a tradition for the Progressive Dairyman team to scope out new products, ideas and innovations to share with readers following World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. The 2018 show, with the theme of “The Next Frontier,” had plenty to offer.

Tariffs apparently weren’t a barrier to milk powder sales to Mexico, but the ongoing trade war did have a detrimental impact on overall dairy and hay sales to China in August. Dairy cattle exports were steady, but buyers are becoming more demanding.

Digest Highlights Arla Foods, Foremost Farms USA to explore strategic partnership Co-op urges USDA funding for dairy diversion program FARM Program launches workforce development module Dairy margins end September steady ‘Undeniably Dairy’ fall campaign reconnects consumers, producers Geographical indications, common food names protected under USMCA American Butter Institute urges FDA to address labels ADA North East offers virtual farm field trips for schools Maryland schools receive milk coolers

The U.S. dairy industry is seen as a big winner in a new trade agreement between former members of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), although some of the provisions will be phased in over more than a decade.

Digest Highlights FDA prioritizes ‘dairy’ labels California water fees raised Shamrock Farms expands partnership with University of Arizona Fuel Up to Play 60, Chelan Fresh collaborate Minnesota offers milk cooler grants ‘Dry’ cows mostly in the Southwest Wisconsin adds three ‘ag enterprise’ areas

Through the first six months of 2018, average Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) “mailbox prices” – approximating the net price received by dairy farmers for milk after adding any premiums and deducting costs associated with hauling and marketing – were about $1.79 per hundredweight (cwt) less than the same period in 2017 (Table 1). For those with a longer memory, average mailbox prices were running $9 per cwt less than the record highs of 2014.

Dairy lenders and financial consultants got an “insider’s view” of ongoing efforts to strengthen Pennsylvania’s dairy processing infrastructure and overall dairy economy during the Dairy Financial and Risk Management Conference on Sept. 12 in Summerdale, Pennsylvania.

August 2018’s Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) calculations indicate margins improved somewhat, thanks primarily to lower feed costs.

For farmers and other members of the dairy community, the current environment is challenging. From unpredictability facing our global markets and competition from non-dairy beverages to seasonal weather conditions and surplus dairy products and ingredients, there’s a lot of uncertainty facing U.S. dairy.

The USDA’s annual Land Values report indicates U.S. agricultural producers saw average land values and cropland rental rates post small increases in 2018.