It wasn’t a rush to the pools but Class IV represented about 12.5% of the total milk pooled in all FMMOs in January, the highest volume and percentage since last May. It probably won't last.

U.S. dairy exports finished what was an already stellar year with gusto, according to a monthly market update from the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

The USDA’s monthly World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, released Feb. 8, reduced both 2022 and 2023 U.S. milk production estimates from last month, but also cut 2023 price projections.

• U.S. establishing second USMCA dispute panel on Canadian dairy TRQ policies
• WOTUS lawsuit hearing set
• USDA launches Cattle Contracts Library
• FDA testing feed samples for PFAS
• USDA proposal keeps low-fat flavored milk as option in schools 
• Booker seeks more AFO oversight

Update highlights

• January FMMO Class III-IV prices lower
• Fed raises interest rate
• GDT index rises
• Ag producer sentiment starts year stronger
• Coming up

October 2022 “mailbox” prices averaged about $1.04 per cwt less than announced average “all-milk” price for the same month.

As of Jan. 1, 2023, there were 29.5 replacements expected to calve for every 100 cows currently in the herd, the smallest percentage since 2001.

Digest highlights

• Hearing set to consider southeast U.S. FMMO proposals
• Farmers sought for study about how they balance children and work
• JDS: Milk’s packaging influences its flavor
• Other news, briefly