Agriculture groups applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 this morning with a vote of 224-200. Next, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will develop their version of the bill for consideration on the Senate floor.

The beginning of a new year is often a time to refresh goals and evaluate the vision for one’s life. Similarly, multiple people interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage said late 2025 and early 2026 will be remembered as a reset. 

There is finally light at the end of the tunnel after weeks of disruptions caused by the record-setting 43-day government shutdown and ongoing disputes in Congress over a continuing resolution package. On Nov. 12, lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives voted 222 to 209 to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government through Jan. 30, 2026, and it was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump that evening.

As 2025 progresses, dairy markets remain soft with somewhat mixed – though more bearish than bullish – signals. That said, prices and IOFC have, thus far, held up better than many expected. The scale and duration of current market pressures, however, remains uncertain.

Here is the news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line this third week of May 2025.

In news relating to dairy farmers in mid-May 2025, the House Ag Committee passes reconciliation bill to cut SNAP and enhance farm safety net programs. Also, the USDA opens CRP enrollment and plans to survey producers in June.