Most dairies are looking for ways to lower their somatic cell count (SCC), have fewer clinical mastitis cases and milk cows faster. There is one important way to help with all three of these areas: drying teats properly. Many dairies are in such a hurry to get the milking routine done that they overlook the importance of the drying step.

This 1,100-cow herd in the Midwest didn’t think they had a severe somatic cell count (SCC) problem, but they knew it needed to be monitored so it wouldn’t get out of control. The first step was to analyze the herd, understand where they stood and determine whether any trends were developing.

With 315 filings, farm bankruptcies were up 46% from 2024. Declining farm receipts and rising expenses, primarily in crop markets, led to an increase in the number of U.S. farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2025.

Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices dwindled more than $1 from December 2025 in most orders, the result of robust production and waning consumer demand.

On Feb. 13, the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture released the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026.