State milk regulators have requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) help enforce the proper use of milk and milk product labeling terms, especially those meant to distinguish between real dairy and plant-based products. That battle may have gained additional support with the release of a new study of dairy and alternative protein sources.

While drought concerns in many milk production areas of the U.S. have been reduced, the long-term need to conserve water has not. Joseph Harner, biological and agricultural engineer at Kansas State University, discussed potential targets for dairy farm water conservation efforts during the 2017 Western Dairy Management Conference, Feb. 28 to March 2 in Reno, Nevada.

Dairy Marketing Services (DMS), the marketing arm of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), has given about 225 independent milk producers in the Mideast federal milk marketing order (FMMO) until Nov. 30, 2017 to decide on their future milk marketing options.

From exports and fluid milk sales to income margins, dairy farmers received some good news as 2017 moved in May.

With all the noise surrounding production practices and alternative beverages, dairy industry leaders are launching a campaign to elevate consumer trust in all that is good about dairy. The multi-faceted, multi-year “Undeniably Dairy” campaign was introduced during a media conference on May 15, and will be officially rolled out on June 1, in conjunction with World Milk Day and the 80th annual celebration of ”National Dairy Month.”

Despite its diversity, dairy farmers and others involved in the dairy industry around the globe share similar challenges. On June 1, World Milk Day 2017 will strive to highlight dairy’s collective importance and create opportunities for growth.

The winter of 2016-2017 was tough on hay marketers and Upper Midwest hay growers. With rain, cold weather and even snow slowing spring fieldwork and crop progress, growers faced additional challenges, while marketers began to see price improvement.

USDA’s monthly World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report made another cut to the 2017 U.S. milk production forecast, with a slowdown in the growth of milk per cow. Despite the reduction, USDA narrowed projected 2017 milk and dairy product prices, adjusting overall prices down slightly.

U.S. public schools will get greater leeway in meeting meal program nutritional requirements, and students will get more flavorful dairy options as a result of a USDA proclamation and the recently signed federal spending bill.

A court ruling concerning “hazardous substance” emissions has removed reporting requirement exemptions for some livestock farms and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). However, what happens next is still up in the air, according to Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, assistant professor and Extension agricultural law specialist with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.