https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us walt.cooley@agproud.com http://www.agproud.com/articles/63595 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 03:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63595-dairy-market-update-june-2026-protect-what-youve-built-before-july-1 webinar-zoom-welcome.png ebarge@centerfordairyexcellence.org Three Pennsylvania dairy producers opened up about their journeys transitioning to organic. They shared their deciding factors in making the switch, how they have achieved profitability, and the lessons and challenges they’ve navigated along the way. Three Pennsylvania dairy producers opened up about their journeys transitioning to organic. They shared their deciding factors in making the switch, how they have achieved profitability, and the lessons and challenges they’ve navigated along the way.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63172 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63172-transitioning-to-organic-three-pennsylvania-dairy-producers-describe-their-journeys-and-path-to-profitability karen@agproud.com The 2026 Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Business Conference attracted dairy producers from 25 states and Canada to Madison, Wisconsin, March 4-5. With a theme of “Dairy’s Blueprint – Drafting Tomorrow’s Success,” the program featured refreshed perspectives and tools to equip attendees for success. The 2026 Professional Dairy Producers (PDP) Business Conference attracted dairy producers from 25 states and Canada to Madison, Wisconsin, March 4-5. With a theme of “Dairy’s Blueprint – Drafting Tomorrow’s Success,” the program featured refreshed perspectives and tools to equip attendees for success.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63225 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63225-progressive-events-pdp-business-conference-explores-dairy-profitability 63225-lee-Doud,-Kohl,-Seifried.-26-PDP-BC.jpg karen@agproud.com With 315 filings, farm bankruptcies were up 46% from 2024. Declining farm receipts and rising expenses, primarily in crop markets, led to an increase in the number of U.S. farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2025. With 315 filings, farm bankruptcies were up 46% from 2024. Declining farm receipts and rising expenses, primarily in crop markets, led to an increase in the number of U.S. farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2025.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62969 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:49:21 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62969-chapter-12-farm-bankruptcy-filings-up-46-in-2025 Nick Vande Weerd runs Pleasant Dutch Dairy in South Dakota and serves as vice chair for AgriBank. Progressive Dairy Editor Walt Cooley caught up with him after he spoke at the 2025 Precision Dairy Conference, and he had one message that stopped Cooley: You can't expand your way out of a cost problem. Nick Vande Weerd runs Pleasant Dutch Dairy in South Dakota and serves as vice chair for AgriBank. Progressive Dairy Editor Walt Cooley caught up with him after he spoke at the 2025 Precision Dairy Conference, and he had one message that stopped Cooley: You can't expand your way out of a cost problem.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62861 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62861-podcast-nick-vande-weerd-pleasant-dutch-dairy 012726-PD-Podcast-preview-image.jpg ebarge@centerfordairyexcellence.org How can farms rise above financial risks and a volatile market to eventually move toward growth? Three dairy producers opened up about their journeys and offered honest insight during a recent panel discussion. How can farms rise above financial risks and a volatile market to eventually move toward growth? Three dairy producers opened up about their journeys and offered honest insight during a recent panel discussion.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62744 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62744-leveling-up-and-rising-above-three-dairy-producers-open-up-about-their-financial-journeys 62744-barge-conference.jpg mulloago@purdue.edu U.S. commercial dairy farms of nearly every size are expected to post positive margins in 2026, but the link between increased herd size and profitability is sharper than ever. U.S. commercial dairy farms of nearly every size are expected to post positive margins in 2026, but the link between increased herd size and profitability is sharper than ever.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62586 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62586-dairy-profitability-outlook-brightens-for-2026 courtneygraham@agrigrowthsolutions.com By adapting to new market trends and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven efficiencies, dairy operations can increase profitability while reducing costs. By adapting to new market trends and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven efficiencies, dairy operations can increase profitability while reducing costs.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62441 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62441-the-next-decade-of-dairy-unlocking-revenue-growth-through-innovation-and-ai 62441-graham-1.jpg aaron_cornman@cargill.com Overcrowding is a commonly used management practice in our industry to maximize output and remain competitive, driven by economic pressures and limited space. Current heifer and beef prices and overall farm efficiency provide the opportunity to ask an important question: Do you know your farm’s optimal stocking number? Overcrowding is a commonly used management practice in our industry to maximize output and remain competitive, driven by economic pressures and limited space. Current heifer and beef prices and overall farm efficiency provide the opportunity to ask an important question: Do you know your farm’s optimal stocking number?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62113 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62113-now-is-the-time-to-question-your-crowding 62113-cambell-cows.jpg rsmith@virtusnutrition.com During my 20-plus years of analyzing dairy reproductive records, my mantra has always been "Benchmark against yourself, not your neighbor." Of course, there’s value in both, but my belief has always been that you’ll make the greatest gains by keeping your focus on your own results and figuring out how to improve them versus focusing on comparisons. During my 20-plus years of analyzing dairy reproductive records, my mantra has always been "Benchmark against yourself, not your neighbor." Of course, there’s value in both, but my belief has always been that you’ll make the greatest gains by keeping your focus on your own results and figuring out how to improve them versus focusing on comparisons.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61582 Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61582-benchmarking-for-fertility-3-reproductive-kpis-every-dairy-should-watch brad.herkenhoff@compeer.com Your dairy’s culture can be the engine that drives success — or leads to its failure. So what is “culture”? Culture is a shared set of values, goals, attitudes and practices that characterize a business. A strong and healthy team culture can create a sense of unity and shared purpose among employees. It ensures that your employees feel valued and motivated, and it also helps them feel connected to the greater good. Your dairy’s culture can be the engine that drives success — or leads to its failure. So what is “culture”? Culture is a shared set of values, goals, attitudes and practices that characterize a business. A strong and healthy team culture can create a sense of unity and shared purpose among employees. It ensures that your employees feel valued and motivated, and it also helps them feel connected to the greater good.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61601 Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61601-are-you-building-a-good-culture-on-your-dairy 61601-herkenhoff.getty.jpg bradley.guse@bmo.com When looking at your balance sheet, one of the big questions to ask is: How hard is your debt working for you? That is, are you making money on what you have borrowed from others? We often look to the numerator first to see what is happening there. Revenue is a great place to start, but we also need to look at the debt schedule. When looking at your balance sheet, one of the big questions to ask is: How hard is your debt working for you? That is, are you making money on what you have borrowed from others? We often look to the numerator first to see what is happening there. Revenue is a great place to start, but we also need to look at the debt schedule. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61600 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61600-deadweight-debt-and-welded-hitch-pins-the-importance-of-the-balance-sheet 61600.guse.illustration.coreylewis.jpg completemanagementconsulting@gmail.com Given current market conditions that have processors thirsty for more milk and despite record-low heifer inventories, there has never been a better time to reassess management strategies and opportunities for profitability. These three focus areas are ones to watch in 2025: heifer inventory management, culling rates and market demands. Given current market conditions that have processors thirsty for more milk and despite record-low heifer inventories, there has never been a better time to reassess management strategies and opportunities for profitability. These three focus areas are ones to watch in 2025: heifer inventory management, culling rates and market demands.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61345 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61345-3-focus-areas-to-maximize-dairy-farm-profitability-in-2025 lucas.fuess@rabobank.com Looking ahead, significant questions persist in both the dairy and political landscape for the coming months, with uncertainty and volatility never taking a rest. From tariffs to demand, and labor availability to avian influenza, a variety of topics are likely to command attention throughout this year. Looking ahead, significant questions persist in both the dairy and political landscape for the coming months, with uncertainty and volatility never taking a rest. From tariffs to demand, and labor availability to avian influenza, a variety of topics are likely to command attention throughout this year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61094 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61094-2025-consumption-export-and-milk-production-trends karen@agproud.com With 216 filings, farm bankruptcies were up 55% from 2023. Declining farm receipts, primarily in crop markets, led to an increase in the number of U.S. farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2024. With 216 filings, farm bankruptcies were up 55% from 2023. Declining farm receipts, primarily in crop markets, led to an increase in the number of U.S. farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in 2024.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61162 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:53:16 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61162-chapter-12-farm-bankruptcy-filings-up-55-in-2024 alvaro@dellait.com In recent years, dairy farming costs have risen across several categories, posing challenges to farm profitability. However, not all costs are beyond a farmer’s control. By focusing on specific actionable items, farmers can manage expenses effectively without negatively impacting cow health or milk production. In recent years, dairy farming costs have risen across several categories, posing challenges to farm profitability. However, not all costs are beyond a farmer’s control. By focusing on specific actionable items, farmers can manage expenses effectively without negatively impacting cow health or milk production.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60993 Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60993-milk-production-costs-actionable-strategies-that-dont-negatively-impact-the-cows karen@agproud.com In this week's news: The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 was introduced, Rabobank reports increasing milk production costs, and consumers are moving away from plant-based beverages. In this week's news: The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 was introduced, Rabobank reports increasing milk production costs, and consumers are moving away from plant-based beverages.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60996 Mon, 27 Jan 2025 14:44:02 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60996-weekly-digest-whole-milk-for-healthy-kids-act-of-2025-introduced bradley.guse@bmo.com During the farm crisis of the 1980s, the term “cash flow is king” drove home the importance of using cash flow to pay debt. That’s still important as we continue to ride the cycles of the industry, but a projection of earnings is equally important. As the calendar transitions to 2025, dive into the question of why both are valuable. During the farm crisis of the 1980s, the term “cash flow is king” drove home the importance of using cash flow to pay debt. That’s still important as we continue to ride the cycles of the industry, but a projection of earnings is equally important. As the calendar transitions to 2025, dive into the question of why both are valuable.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60848 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60848-make-2025-the-year-of-cash-flow-budgeting-and-projected-earnings 0820pf arose@lelycentermidatlantic.com A strong profit team can be the key to taking control of your farm’s success, no matter the size. With the right people at the table and a clear plan in place, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your business goals. A strong profit team can be the key to taking control of your farm’s success, no matter the size. With the right people at the table and a clear plan in place, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your business goals.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60807 Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60807-building-the-best-team-for-dairy-production-performance-goals Business_tech_2_-_Getty.jpeg Shot of a farmer using a digital tablet on his farm aconnolly@agritechcapital.com The latest Zisk report projects profitability on dairy farms for 2025. It shows that U.S. dairy producers are expecting a profitable next 12 months, but as with previous reports, the picture isn’t equally as rosy for all producers. The latest Zisk report projects profitability on dairy farms for 2025. It shows that U.S. dairy producers are expecting a profitable next 12 months, but as with previous reports, the picture isn’t equally as rosy for all producers.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60802 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:28:06 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60802-dairies-big-and-small-are-likely-to-return-to-profitability-in-2025 Finance_-_Getty.jpeg Man using calculator Accounting Calculating Cost Economic bills with money stack step growing growth saving money in home , finance concept karen@agproud.com In the news as we approach the middle of December, a federal committee upholds dairy dietary guidelines, dairy farmers are invited to apply for financial incentives to implement climate-smart practices, farm income falls $41 billion in two years, and the first HPAI-positive dairy case is found in Nevada. In the news as we approach the middle of December, a federal committee upholds dairy dietary guidelines, dairy farmers are invited to apply for financial incentives to implement climate-smart practices, farm income falls $41 billion in two years, and the first HPAI-positive dairy case is found in Nevada.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60780 Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:08:01 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60780-weekly-digest-federal-committee-upholds-dairy-dietary-guidelines audrey@agproud.com As we close the books on 2024, Progressive Dairy’s editorial team identified four trending topics that made headlines throughout the year. Read on as we recap highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in dairy cattle, Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization efforts, increasing dairy margins and declining dairy cattle inventories. As we close the books on 2024, Progressive Dairy’s editorial team identified four trending topics that made headlines throughout the year. Read on as we recap highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in dairy cattle, Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization efforts, increasing dairy margins and declining dairy cattle inventories.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60680 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60680-2024-year-in-review-hpai-fmmo-margin-recovery-and-dairy-cattle-inventories News_press_-_Getty.jpeg Newspapers being printed in printing press. karen@agproud.com In news affecting dairy's bottom line:Requirement for electronic ID tags now in effect Utah becomes 15th state with HPAI in dairy, following mandatory surveillanceGDT index up 4.8% November FSA interest rates continue to lowFarmer sentiment bounced back in October

Requirement for electronic ID tags now in effect

Utah becomes 15th state with HPAI in dairy, following mandatory surveillance

GDT index up 4.8%

November FSA interest rates continue to low

Farmer sentiment bounced back in October

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60607 Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:11:58 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60607-economic-update-requirement-for-electronic-id-tags-now-in-effect audrey@agproud.com The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report offers forecasts for dairy, beef and feedstuffs. The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report offers forecasts for dairy, beef and feedstuffs.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60188 Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60188-august-wasde-report-projects-a-record-high-soybean-crop john.molenhuis@ontario.ca When looking to buy new equipment or build new buildings, one of the key considerations is the cost of ownership or their fixed costs. The largest of the fixed costs is depreciation. When looking to buy new equipment or build new buildings, one of the key considerations is the cost of ownership or their fixed costs. The largest of the fixed costs is depreciation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59996 Tue, 13 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59996-have-an-appreciation-for-depreciation 59996-molenhuis.jpg kimmo@novonesis.com Effective probiotics cost pennies per day and provide significant benefits throughout the entire life cycle of an animal. Effective probiotics cost pennies per day and provide significant benefits throughout the entire life cycle of an animal.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59807 Thu, 11 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59807-investments-in-life-cycle-feeding-of-probiotics-supports-your-bottom-line ca-fr-social-11.jpg In this episode, Lucas Fuess from Rabobank joins host Kimmi Devaney to chat about economic conditions, the factors affecting them and key insights from recent Rabobank reports related to milk production, on-farm margins and more. In this episode, Lucas Fuess from Rabobank joins host Kimmi Devaney to chat about economic conditions, the factors affecting them and key insights from recent Rabobank reports related to milk production, on-farm margins and more.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59971 Tue, 02 Jul 2024 02:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59971-podcast-lucas-fuess-dairy-markets-economics-and-what-dairy-producers-should-know 070224-PD-Podcast-preview-image.jpg taylor@avisenlegal.com As a dairy farmer, you are no stranger to innovation and efficiency on the farm. So when approached by developers interested in building an anaerobic digester on your property, it is essential to consider the big picture. Here's what you need to know as you navigate this opportunity. As a dairy farmer, you are no stranger to innovation and efficiency on the farm. So when approached by developers interested in building an anaerobic digester on your property, it is essential to consider the big picture. Here's what you need to know as you navigate this opportunity.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59641 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59641-essential-considerations-for-dairy-farmers-approached-by-anaerobic-digester-developers 59641-taylor-digester.jpg bernhark@uwplatt.edu If used for the right purposes and managed well, debt can be a great tool for increasing profits. However, tools can be misused. Just like using pliers to pound in a nail usually doesn’t work so well, debt can be a double-edged sword that is a drag on profitability. If used for the right purposes and managed well, debt can be a great tool for increasing profits. However, tools can be misused. Just like using pliers to pound in a nail usually doesn’t work so well, debt can be a double-edged sword that is a drag on profitability.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59517 Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59517-debt-a-double-edged-sword adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com Every cow you create might not be right for your market. To withstand market ebbs and flows, you need to create cows that meet the needs of your operation. Every cow you create might not be right for your market. To withstand market ebbs and flows, you need to create cows that meet the needs of your operation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59569 Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59569-creating-the-ideal-cow-for-your-herd 59569-trennepohl-cow.jpg