Dairy Marketing Services LLC (DMS), the marketing arm of Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), has provided about 700 independent Northeast dairy producers with a timeline to find another milk market or join the cooperative.

What started out as a year of milk price optimism is turning into a nightmare for some dairy farmers. Two recent announcements have producers in the Midwest and Northeast facing the reality they must find new markets for their milk.

A federal judge approved a settlement agreement limiting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) release of information related to concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

As farmers put 2017 cropping plans into action, softening dairy markets continue to require attention on dairy risk management strategies too, according to Alan Zepp, risk management program manager at Pennsylvania's Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE).

Breaking free of the dairy market fundamentals’ grip that choked 2015-16 producer income is proving difficult. Optimism for 2017 remains, but U.S. milk prices were held in check by growing supplies and weakening dairy product prices in February.

With a failed attempt to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's health care law, the Republican-led Congress now turns its attention to a second major campaign pledge, federal tax reform. Meanwhile, proponents of immigration reform are preparing for that congressional debate later this fall.

With an Asian “middle class” population ready to expand dramatically, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the nation’s largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), are eyeing an increased presence in that part of the world, while protecting and growing export markets closer to home. However, in addition to a strong U.S. dollar, headwinds to dairy exports now include uncertainty over the U.S. trade policy, as U.S. competitors aggressively seek bilateral free trade agreements following President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Like the dairy farms making up their memberships, dairy cooperatives must embrace consolidation or face attrition, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) leaders warned during the organization’s annual meeting, March 20-22.

Dairy producer and processors organizations took policy priorities to the Capitol Hill, March 22, as Congress continues early work on writing the 2018 Farm Bill.

At first glance, USDA’s monthly report might indicate the growth wave of U.S. milk production has subsided. But, when adjusted for 2016’s leap day, milk output remains at high tide.