Progressive Dairy

Weekly Digest: FTC settles right to repair with Deere & Company

July 13, 2026

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of July 2026: FTC settles right to repair with Deere & Company, the USDA introduces more crop insurance options for forage producers, the Annual Dairy Strong conference moves to Lambeau Field in 2027, and the American Dairy XPO is positioned to support Northeast dairy growth.

Bankerisms and other wise words

Bankers’ sayings that stand the test of time reiterate the importance of maintaining a consistent risk management plan, building a winning team culture and understanding that market highs and lows do not last forever.

July 13, 2026

Brad Guse

Good banker sayings endure because banking fundamentals don’t change nearly as fast as markets or technology. While they may sound like short, simple phrases, they offer real insight into how a banker is thinking about risk, relationships and, ultimately, how we’re looking at your operation. Let’s go over a few of them.

New Hires: Erik Sheppelman

July 11, 2026

Meet Erik Sheppelman, dairy specialist at Vita Plus.

USDA milk production forecasts edge slightly higher

The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report offers forecasts for dairy, beef and feedstuffs.

July 10, 2026

Audrey Schmitz

USDA’s July WASDE raised 2026 milk production slightly to 236.6 billion pounds on expectations of a larger cow herd and a decrease in milk output per cow.

From reactive to proactive: Using pen-level data to protect dairy herd profitability

Real-time rumination monitoring helps dairy producers spot pen-level issues early, optimize management decisions, troubleshoot feeding inconsistencies and prevent production losses before they affect the milk check.

July 10, 2026

Tim Kinches

Without hard data, it’s challenging to truly evaluate ration changes with your nutritionist, review trends in rumination data with your veterinarian or plan management adjustments with confidence.

Economic Update: FARM Program opens comment period for version 2028

July 9, 2026

Karen Lee

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line: The FARM Program opens comment period for version 2028, Rabobank provides an update on global dairy trade, high input cost concerns weigh on farmer sentiment, and Land O’Lakes Inc. announced an investment to expand dairy protein production in California.

Domestic NDM/SMP prices create headwinds for U.S. export market

Year-over-year gains in U.S. dairy cheese and butterfat exports offset the steep decline in nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder shipments noticed in May.

July 9, 2026

Jenn Coyne

May proved to be another enthusiastic month for U.S. dairy exports, with the year-over-year volume growth streak now reaching eight consecutive months as exports rose 14% in milk solids equivalent terms. All of this is despite low nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) shipments – due to steep price comparison – reigning in what might have been a record month.

Growing together: Danone and its dairy farm partners embrace regenerative agriculture

Danone invests in customized regenerative agriculture practices that strengthen farm resilience and ensure a long-term supply of high-quality ingredients. Two partner farms in Ohio illustrate how the approach is tailored to each operation.

July 9, 2026

Karen Lee

At a recent Soil-to-Spoon Event in Celina, Ohio, Danone showcased two dairy farm partners and how their regenerative agriculture practices lead to the production of nutritious foods.

Is your I-9 paperwork in order?

Paperwork violations are the most common form of noncompliance for employers. Understanding what is necessary and having policies and procedures in place can help to ensure I-9 forms are completed correctly and on time.

July 9, 2026

Karen Lee

Immigration enforcement is on many dairy producers' minds, but the threat most likely to affect your operation isn't an ICE raid – it's a notice of inspection. With only 72 hours to produce your I-9 forms, incomplete or missing paperwork can lead to significant fines and employee terminations that disrupt your entire operation.

Strengthen reproductive strategy with a full-picture approach

Connecting reproductive data across genomics, embryos and breeding performance provides a clearer view of your strategy to drive smarter decisions and improve long-term profitability.

July 8, 2026

Craig Walter

Dairies making the most genetic progress are not just collecting data. They are using it intentionally and holistically to guide decisions that shape the future of their herd.