The agreement puts 3,800 workers back on the job after a strike starting March 16. The Greeley plant slaughters approximately 6,000 head a day, for 5% of U.S. beef-producing capacity. The strike forced JBS to shift cattle deliveries to its other locations in the U.S., which were already not at full capacity during the low cattle supply.

Processing was addressed by those surveyed for State of Dairy as both an exciting opportunity and a challenge in some regions – especially since there are still many unanswered questions about how it will ultimately affect milk flows, if new processing facilities will eventually lead to the closure of some other existing ones and how much new capacity is actually available. 

Higher milk and beef prices are two bright spots that have contributed to healthier financial margins across much of the Pacific Northwest.

Many dairy producers in California are cautiously optimistic about what 2025 has in store, including Tyler Ribeiro from Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare. Topping his list of concerns right now are feed and water costs.

2023 was a tough and “below-average” year for many dairy producers in the Northeast. While they remain cautious heading into 2024, new processing capacity in New York and other opportunities across the region bring excitement and optimism to the dairy community.