August’s slight rise in U.S. dairy export volume positions year-to-date export volume growth at 0.1%, the first time in all of 2024 where volumes have surpassed the no-growth threshold.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Sept. 27, which includes feed costs used to calculate the August Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. August’s margin was $13.72 per hundredweight (cwt).

The outlook for dairy producers continues to be strong for the remainder of the year, despite milk futures retreating some – albeit still high compared to less fruitful years – and an anticipated high-yielding 2024 harvest. October’s income-over-feed cost projections remain in dairy producers’ favor for a profitable month with the margin just shy of $16 as of Sept. 24.

Gains made across all categories helped U.S. dairy exports post a 9.6% year-over-year rise in milk solids equivalent in July. The month’s success set the tone for an optimistic second half of the year. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot view of dairy-related export categories.

Here’s an update on interest rates from quarter two of 2024 as reported by Federal Reserve districts that share data impacting dairy finances.