In dairy-related news the last week of April 2026: The USDA eases requirement for HPAI testing of dairy cows for interstate movement, a few dairy-related bills have been placed before Congress, the USDA issues second supplemental disaster payment to farmers, leaders elect board officers to guide dairy checkoff strategy, and the National FFA Organization partners with World Dairy Expo.

In the news related to dairy farming mid-December 2025: House passes Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a milk test finds Wisconsin’s first case of HPAI in dairy, Land O’Lakes doubles down on hunger relief before the holidays, an annual event highlights the Friends of Expo, Alltech announces dairy farm Most Valuable Employee Award winner, and the USDA announces $38.1 million in grant agreement to cover agricultural losses due to Hurricane Helene in Tennessee.

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of December: The Trump administration announces $12 billion farmer bridge payments, the USDA announces plans to expand crop insurance access for farmers, Wisconsin teamsters authorize strike at Actus Nutrition and Foremost Farms, another New World screwworm case detected in northern Mexico, and Tyson Foods announced plans to close a Nebraska beef plant.

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the third week of November 2025: Class I base milk price rebounds to $18.21 in December 2025, fluid milk sales move higher, GDT index drops, Latin American trade frameworks announced, and crop disaster assistance and milk loss program applications due.

In dairy-related news the second week of November 2025: The USDA extends the livestock disaster recovery assistance application deadline and announces the opening of a sterile fly facility to combat NWS in Mexico. DCRC's annual meeting highlights emerging reproductive technologies, and Edge launches a farmer-led approach to lowering GHG emissions.

In dairy-related news the second week of July 2025: Southern border ports closed to livestock just days after reopening, disaster assistance available for farmers, base change is approaching for calving traits, and World Dairy Expo Dairy Cattle Show entries now open.

In news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines the last full week of April 2025: May Class I drops to $18.37 per cwt, a final rule reauthorizes the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, IDFA to eliminate artificial colors in school dairy products, and Chobani invests $1.2 billion in New York processing plant.

The federal government narrowly avoided a shutdown in the wee hours of Dec. 21, 2024, when the American Relief Act of 2025 was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Importantly for the agriculture industry, the act also includes a second extension of the 2018 Farm Bill and $2.5 billion in additional aid that will be distributed through the USDA.

A short-term budget agreement passed by Congress early Saturday morning averted a government shutdown after a chaotic week in the U.S. House. In the process of passing the three-month agreement to continue funding the federal government until March 14, lawmakers also extended the 2018 farm bill for another full year. The agreement also provides more than $110 billion in disaster relief to areas still recovering from hurricanes, wildfires and floods.

Both the Senate and House Ag Committees released section-by-section outlines of the proposed 2024 Farm Bill on May 1.