June 2018’s Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) margin calculations ended a four-month string below $7 per hundredweight (cwt), but dairy producers who purchased coverage at the $7.50 and $8 per cwt margin levels will receive indemnity payments for a fifth consecutive month.

Digest Highlights 2018 Farm Bill: See you in September NMPF tells FDA to enforce dairy standards of identity House recesses with no vote on AG & Legal Workforce Act Pennsylvania producer survey reveals expansion is a low priority Dairy farm, wholesale and retail price forecast DFA invests in MOPRO Greek yogurt Land O'Lakes Inc. names Ford president and CEO PMMB to consider co-op milk procurement costs MMPA donating 150 gallons of milk per day in 2018

The list of the 2018 Rabobank “Global Dairy Top 20” companies didn’t change much from a year ago, despite some major mergers and acquisitions. With about $24 billion in 2017 sales, Nestlé remained the largest dairy company in the world.

For larger dairy producers who didn’t enroll in the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), the Livestock Gross Margin-Dairy (LGM-Dairy) program may be worth looking into as a risk management option for the latter half of 2018, according to Alan Zepp, risk management program manager at Pennsylvania's Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE).

USDA officials have provided a broad overview of Trump administration efforts to lessen the negative impact of ongoing tariff wars on the nation’s agricultural producers. Details and implementation, however, aren’t expected until September.

Digest Highlights: • Ag groups push for House action on labor bill • Michigan dairy community hosts Great Dairy Adventure • DFA closing plant at Hughson, California • Wisconsin farmers to travel to New York seeking dairy solutions • North Dakota offers cost-share assistance for dairy improvements • Dairy farmers share stories at FUTP 60 Student Ambassador Summit • Hilmar Cheese Company unveils dairy mural

There are implementation challenges, but individual dairy cooperatives can manage milk supplies through the establishment of base/excess milk programs, according to participants in a Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) webinar, July 19.

• U.S. milk production up 1.2 percent in June • January-June cow slaughter total up • Semi-annual cow/heifer survey • August Class I base price falls • Trade tensions hurt early July dairy margins • Drought, transportation cloud cottonseed outlook

Holstein enthusiasts from across the U.S. gathered in northern Michigan June 30 to July 3 for the National Holstein Convention at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, Michigan.

When packing supplies to go to the show, the very best way to accomplish the task so nothing is left at home is to walk yourself through the day at the show.