The number of U.S. farms restructuring debt by filing Chapter 12 bankruptcy in the past year was lower than a year earlier. However, filings were higher in regions most heavily dependent on dairy and row crops for income.

Digest Highlights Dairy-RP activity tops 2.6 billion pounds of milk INDUSTRY: FDA approves Experior for reduction of ammonia gas released from beef cattle manure Chobani launches campaign to benefit military veterans Prairie Farms to add baghouse to Iowa plant, pays penalty Saputo enters ultrafiltered milk market with JOYYA Kraft Heinz Canada selling natural cheese business to Parmalat Darigold names Garth to financial post Dean Foods holds quarterly investor call POLICY: FarmFirst asks USDA to increase trade mitigation payments for dairy Groups endorse agribusiness merger moratorium bills STATES: WSDA awards dairy nutrient management grants Michigan dairy promotion award nominees sought CDE offers dairy advisory team grants Minnesota Milk hosting annual Dairy Conference and Expo

Citing declining milk cow numbers – which will be partially offset by stronger milk output per cow – the USDA’s November World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report cut milk production forecasts for both 2018 and 2019. However, the outlook for less milk didn’t translate into improved milk price projections for either year.

Digest Highlights Vermont reimbursing state’s dairy farmers for 2018 MPP-Dairy premiums Dairy-RP activity surpasses 1.5 billion pounds of milk Schumer: Greek yogurt protein credit needs updating FMMO, final California order prices move in tandem Dairy margins end October weaker September dairy products report Dairy prices find little support at Global Dairy Trade auction

U.S. dairy exports tracked higher than year-ago levels in September and the third quarter of 2018, despite continued setbacks in markets where tariffs have come into play, according to Al Levitt, vice president of communications and market analysis at the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

Government policies on both sides of the globe have altered the U.S. hay export picture. But despite the substantial decline in alfalfa hay shipments to China, September exports were the highest since June, totaling more than 229,250 metric tons (MT).

You’re busy – milking cows, managing employees and getting ready for winter. With that in mind, Progressive Dairyman looks at issues in the news impacting you and your dairy business. In recognition of your time, we’ll attempt to summarize recent events or actions making dairy headlines and reported in our weekly digital newsletter, Progressive Dairyman Extra.

Adverse economic conditions and herd liquidations continue to apply downward pressure on prices paid for dairy replacement cows.

September 2018’s Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) calculations indicate margins improved somewhat, thanks to a combination of a slightly higher U.S. average milk price and lower soybean meal price, which offset higher prices for corn and alfalfa hay. There will be no MPP-Dairy payments at any level for the month.

Digest Highlights Dairy-RP activity surpasses 1.3 billion pounds of milk A2 milk advertising claims referred for review Hart Dairy expanding distribution to Asia AMPI upgrades Minnesota cheese plant Agropur: Canada first Saputo to acquire F&A Dairy Products Professional Dairy Producers Foundation grant application deadline is Dec. 1