Whole milk sales continue to boost fluid category. First quarter U.S. dairy exports were weaker. Price swings may be changing the U.S. herd. This and other U.S. dairy economic news can be found here.

If you’re facing lower land values and tightening credit conditions due to low agricultural commodity prices, you’re not alone. Quarterly surveys of lenders in numerous regional agricultural banking and credit districts show the impacts are widespread.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is moving to define "natural" on food labels, and announced rules adding to antimicrobial sales reporting. Three U.S. dairy organizations urged the White House to challenge a World Health Organization proposal that would discourage the consumption of dairy products by young children. This and other U.S. dairy policy news can be found here.

This Dairy Regional Recap includes information on a North Dakota ballot initiative to allow limited corporate ownership of dairy farms. A Washington state farmers’ inquiry seeks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s role in an anti-farm campaign. A California dairy methane emission reduction plan comes up short on funding. This and other U.S. region-by-region dairy news can be found here.

Dean Foods reported lower milk costs and higher profits. Saputo ends use of ultrafiltered milk imported from the U.S. Also, dairy companies from California to New York announced new innovations. This and other U.S. dairy industry news can be found here.

Low commodity prices, including dairy, are affecting land values and credit conditions in major Federal Reserve and Farm Credit System districts. Region-by-region summaries of quarterly banker surveys can be found here.

A mild winter that reduced the need for extensive supplemental feeding in many areas helped preserve on-farm hay inventories, according to USDA’s May 10 crop production report.

Three universities received USDA grants to research cattle and forage production under changing climate conditions.

USDA’s May World Ag Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE) report raised 2016 U.S. milk production and marketing estimates, adding more pressure on prices. Conditions should improve in 2017.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule revising annual reporting requirements for companies supplying antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals. Under the rule, companies must provide sales estimates by livestock species.