Immigration reform will be among priority issues during the first 100 days of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. However, most of the initial focus will be on border security and enforcement, and not developing pathways for U.S. dairy and other agricultural industries to access a reliable agricultural workforce.

Short of a “world economic event” or trade war, dairy farmers looking to manage milk income risks in 2017 may be best served by taking catastrophic coverage under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy) and using other risk management options to protect higher margins, according to Alan Zepp, risk management program manager at Pennsylvania's Center for Dairy Excellence (CDE).

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released data on 2015 U.S. certified organic forage production and sales in the U.S.

President-elect Donald Trump has already toned down some of the campaign rhetoric that propelled him to a surprise victory over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. With agricultural issues playing virtually no role in election debates, Trump’s election as the 45th U.S. President has the food and agriculture sector awaiting further clarification on his policies and positions.

The factors with potential to restrict global hay marketing that hatched last September came home to roost in USDA’s latest export report. Despite declining volumes and values, however, U.S. hay exports were still stronger than a year ago.

California Class 1 price jumps $3. Fluid milk sales improve. Dean Foods reports better dairy quarter. Canada announces dairy support programs. Find those articles and other dairy economic news updates here.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s November World Ag Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE) report reduced 2016 and 2017 milk production forecasts after adjusting cow numbers lower. Offsetting lower cow numbers, output per cow is expected to climb.

September U.S. dairy product export volumes were above year-ago levels for a fourth straight month; however, export values are on pace to be the lowest level since 2010, according to Alan Levitt, with the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

Weaker product prices cut October milk prices, but November started with higher global prices and a strong rebound in U.S. cheese prices, a precursor of better things to come. Find those articles and other dairy economic news updates here.

The 2016 joint annual meeting of the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA), National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) was held Oct. 31-Nov. 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. More than 800 dairy farmers and industry representatives attending the event, getting updates on dairy policy and promotion programs.