During the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) Conference in Tucson, Arizona, April 7-9, a few members of the review committee participated in a panel discussion sharing their perspectives on the new fifth edition of DCHA’s Gold Standards.

As the dairy industry continues to face economic pressure and limited replacement animals, the importance of transition cow management is becoming clearer. By focusing more attention on the dry period through nutrition, management and stress reduction, producers can help cows become stronger and more resilient.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices report, released June 29, established May’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. As the all-milk price rose 50 cents, the total feed costs rose 42 cents, boosting the DMC margin 8 cents to $10.62 per hundredweight (cwt) for the month.

Milk production across the U.S. has been rampant in 2026 with both processing capacity and global demand pressuring dairy farms to produce more, and a larger national dairy herd is helping keep the pace. Despite all the dynamics working in favor for U.S. dairy farmers, milk margins remain tight and risk management strategies remain critical.

In dairy-related news at the end of June 2026: Prairie Farms Family of Companies honors America’s 250th anniversary with donation of 250,000 servings of milk, dairy demand resilient despite mounting economic pressure on consumers, Utah State wins dairy checkoff’s New Product Competition, Midwest Dairy Accelerator showcases new opportunities for dairy, and Gonna Need Milk partners with Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios’ Supergirl to spotlight milk.

In celebrating 250 years of the United States of America, Progressive Dairy asked our advertisers that manufacture dairy equipment in the U.S. what Made in America means to them. Here’s what they had to say.

Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in May 2026 was estimated at 191,700.