The Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices rose an average of $1.48 per hundredweight (cwt) from March to April for an average price of $20.03 per cwt across the 11 orders.

Progressive Dairy interviewed genetic experts from across the industry with one goal in mind: to arm you with the knowledge and questions needed to make an effective genetic plan.

With beef from dairies contributing an estimated $5 per hundredweight of milk-equivalent revenue, exposure to beef price volatility now carries real weight in culling and calf marketing decisions. Managing the downside without limiting upside is where Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) fits.

USDA’s May WASDE report raised 2026 milk production to 235.4 billion pounds on expectations of a larger cow herd but a slower growth rate in output per cow.

Hoof health is crucial to a dairy cow’s overall well-being – and in turn milk production and the farm’s bottom line. Different seasons put greater pressure on hoof health in a dairy herd than others and call for a pivot in management. Summer heat is one of those times.

Creating a culture of safety is vital in addressing these challenges and must be the foundation of any farm safety program. It encourages proactive hazard identification and management, reduces injuries and near misses, and ensures that everyone returns home safely at the end of the day.