Northeast Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) Market Administrator Erik Rasmussen has authorized the temporary pooling of milk disposed or “dumped” at the farm or other non-plant locations during March 1–May 31, 2017.

National Farmers Union (NFU) delegates identified federal policy priorities – including a stronger dairy safety net – during the organization’s 115th Anniversary Convention. Nearly 500 family farmers and ranchers convened for the event in early March in San Diego, California.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s monthly World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report raised the 2017 milk production forecast, citing expectations the U.S. dairy herd will grow during the year. Projected milk output per cow was reduced slightly from last month’s forecast.

While the 2017 growing season begins to awaken, hay prices remain in a slumber. The pickup in buyer interest in early February failed to spring life into hay prices, which remain the lowest in six years. While widespread winter precipitation improved moisture conditions in many areas, the south-central U.S. continues to report drought conditions.

The U.S. dairy herd has a head start on what is expected to be a growth year in 2017, based on the USDA’s semi-annual estimate of dairy cows and heifers. However, dairy replacement heifers numbers are down slightly, and more heifers will be exported in 2017.

You’ve formed a limited liability corporation (LLC) and taken the initial legal steps toward a dairy farm succession plan. Don’t just put that plan in a filing cabinet or safe.

After raising the benchmark interest rate just once in seven years, the Federal Reserve increased the rate 0.25 percent in December 2016 and hinted three similar increases may be coming in 2017.

The 13th biennial Western Dairy Management Conference was held Feb. 28 to March 2 in Reno, Nevada. Catch some insights and observations from Progressive Dairyman editors Dave Natzke and Walt Cooley, who attended the event. The interesting facts, lessons and observations they gleaned are highlighted below.

One phrase is repeated over and over again to describe the outlook for dairy producers in 2017: “cautiously optimistic.” Here’s Progressive Dairyman’s regional “State of Dairy” report.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) annual analysis shows dairy consumers are safe when it comes to animal drug residues in milk.