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 jenn@agproud.com June marks the halfway mark for 2026, but it is already time to start thinking about risk management coverage for 2027 as the new crop year is on the horizon. June marks the halfway mark for 2026, but it is already time to start thinking about risk management coverage for 2027 as the new crop year is on the horizon.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63522 Thu, 21 May 2026 13:25:28 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63522-dairy-risk-management-calendar-june-2026 derek.gerratt@agwestfc.com With beef from dairies contributing an estimated $5 per hundredweight of milk-equivalent revenue, exposure to beef price volatility now carries real weight in culling and calf marketing decisions. Managing the downside without limiting upside is where Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) fits. With beef from dairies contributing an estimated $5 per hundredweight of milk-equivalent revenue, exposure to beef price volatility now carries real weight in culling and calf marketing decisions. Managing the downside without limiting upside is where Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) fits.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63348 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63348-protecting-beef-revenue-why-livestock-risk-protection-matters-for-todays-dairy-operations jenn@agproud.com Milk prices are moving in favorable directions, with May Class IV futures closing at $22.29 per hundredweight (cwt) on April 24 and May Class III futures closing at $17.56 per cwt. But markets can quickly change. Add in the record prices dairy producers are receiving for cull cows and beef-on-dairy animals, and an established risk management plan becomes even more critical. Milk prices are moving in favorable directions, with May Class IV futures closing at $22.29 per hundredweight (cwt) on April 24 and May Class III futures closing at $17.56 per cwt. But markets can quickly change. Add in the record prices dairy producers are receiving for cull cows and beef-on-dairy animals, and an established risk management plan becomes even more critical.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63372 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:36:20 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63372-dairy-risk-management-calendar-may-2026 jenn@agproud.com As we look to the second quarter of 2026, dairy markets have improved and margins are historically strong with forecasts playing in producers’ favors, particularly with incremental improvements in Class III and Class IV. As we look to the second quarter of 2026, dairy markets have improved and margins are historically strong with forecasts playing in producers’ favors, particularly with incremental improvements in Class III and Class IV.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63211 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:54:04 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63211-dairy-risk-management-calendar-april-2026 jenn@agproud.com Futures prices are rising with news of competitive international prices and strong U.S. dairy exports coupled with the government’s announcement of dairy product purchases, all making for a bullish outlook for U.S. dairy producers in March. Futures prices are rising with news of competitive international prices and strong U.S. dairy exports coupled with the government’s announcement of dairy product purchases, all making for a bullish outlook for U.S. dairy producers in March.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/63034 Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:23:33 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/63034-dairy-risk-management-calendar-march-2026 jenn@agproud.com The influx of milk has pushed prices downward, and despite alternative revenue sources helping ease the pain on farms’ bottom lines, pressure is mounting on margins. The influx of milk has pushed prices downward, and despite alternative revenue sources helping ease the pain on farms’ bottom lines, pressure is mounting on margins.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62858 Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:02:31 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62858-dairy-risk-management-calendar-february-2026 jenn@agproud.com The past year provided ample opportunities for dairy producers to capitalize on market conditions with both longstanding and new risk management strategies. The past year provided ample opportunities for dairy producers to capitalize on market conditions with both longstanding and new risk management strategies.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62682 Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:40:28 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62682-dairy-risk-management-calendar-january-2026 jenn@agproud.com USDA reports influencing dairy markets remain delayed following the conclusion of the government shutdown, and at the same time, seasonal pressures from the holiday season are shaping the U.S. dairy outlook for December. Producers should evaluate their current risk management options and secure additional coverage as 2025 comes to a close. USDA reports influencing dairy markets remain delayed following the conclusion of the government shutdown, and at the same time, seasonal pressures from the holiday season are shaping the U.S. dairy outlook for December. Producers should evaluate their current risk management options and secure additional coverage as 2025 comes to a close.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62537 Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:07:37 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62537-dairy-risk-management-calendar-december-2025 jenn@agproud.com At the time of this writing, the government shutdown is now in its fourth week. While the shutdown has many USDA reports delayed and data unpublished, dairy insurance programs are available even if a prolonged shutdown could delay claim processing if indemnities are triggered. At the time of this writing, the government shutdown is now in its fourth week. While the shutdown has many USDA reports delayed and data unpublished, dairy insurance programs are available even if a prolonged shutdown could delay claim processing if indemnities are triggered.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62360 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:12:08 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62360-dairy-risk-management-calendar-november-2025 jenn@agproud.com As fall arrives and a new month approaches, the dairy industry is buzzing with concern over falling milk prices as domestic supply flows with strong outputs of butter and cheese, and exports remain strong, particularly with cheese products turning out record volumes month over month. As fall arrives and a new month approaches, the dairy industry is buzzing with concern over falling milk prices as domestic supply flows with strong outputs of butter and cheese, and exports remain strong, particularly with cheese products turning out record volumes month over month.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62220 Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:56:57 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62220-dairy-risk-management-calendar-october-2025 bradley.guse@bmo.com Yes, volatility is here, and it’s likely here to stay. But there are steps you can take to manage through it. Dust off your risk management plan to preserve working capital and discounted core equity, building a resilient business model for the future. Yes, volatility is here, and it’s likely here to stay. But there are steps you can take to manage through it. Dust off your risk management plan to preserve working capital and discounted core equity, building a resilient business model for the future.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62019 Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62019-the-word-of-the-day-volatility jenn@agproud.com The USDA released a report in early August that forecast record corn yields this fall – production surpassing 16 billion bushels with a record-high yield of 188.8 bushels per acre. The announcement created buzz in the markets, which only further aided dairy producers’ income over feed cost (IOFC) outlook for the remainder of the year. The USDA released a report in early August that forecast record corn yields this fall – production surpassing 16 billion bushels with a record-high yield of 188.8 bushels per acre. The announcement created buzz in the markets, which only further aided dairy producers’ income over feed cost (IOFC) outlook for the remainder of the year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62120 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:39:39 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62120-dairy-risk-management-calendar-september-2025 jenn@agproud.com The first milk checks reflecting the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) revisions are arriving in producers’ mailboxes, reflecting both benefits and drawbacks of the revisions. At the same time, milk prices are softening after several months of relatively strong performances, perhaps the result of increased cow numbers and expanded processing capacity available in the marketplace now, among other influencing factors. The first milk checks reflecting the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) revisions are arriving in producers’ mailboxes, reflecting both benefits and drawbacks of the revisions. At the same time, milk prices are softening after several months of relatively strong performances, perhaps the result of increased cow numbers and expanded processing capacity available in the marketplace now, among other influencing factors.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61891 Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:07:13 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61891-dairy-risk-management-calendar-august-2025 jenn@agproud.com Most of the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) pricing revisions went into effect in June and will begin to be reflected in July milk checks. Additionally, announced changes to several risk management insurance programs will also soon impact producers’ bottom lines for those enrolling in 2026 coverage. All of this to say that now may be the right time to reevaluate risk management decisions for your dairy operation. Most of the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) pricing revisions went into effect in June and will begin to be reflected in July milk checks. Additionally, announced changes to several risk management insurance programs will also soon impact producers’ bottom lines for those enrolling in 2026 coverage. All of this to say that now may be the right time to reevaluate risk management decisions for your dairy operation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61773 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:19:28 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61773-dairy-risk-management-calendar-july-2025 jenn@agproud.com Revenue for dairy producers should climb in June as the trivial markets during the spring are forecast to improve with the income over feed cost margin predicted to settle at $12.60 per hundredweight (cwt). Additionally, the USDA announced upcoming changes to the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance programs that will affect dairy producers. Revenue for dairy producers should climb in June as the trivial markets during the spring are forecast to improve with the income over feed cost margin predicted to settle at $12.60 per hundredweight (cwt). Additionally, the USDA announced upcoming changes to the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance programs that will affect dairy producers.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61586 Thu, 22 May 2025 15:35:18 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61586-dairy-risk-management-calendar-june-2025 jenn@agproud.com The milk market is taking shape with components reaching record highs and milk production climbing with the spring flush, but also with trade wars shaking the grain markets and concerns for domestic dairy demand letting up. Current forecasts predict 2025 dairy margins to be favorable although not as strong as previously anticipated. The milk market is taking shape with components reaching record highs and milk production climbing with the spring flush, but also with trade wars shaking the grain markets and concerns for domestic dairy demand letting up. Current forecasts predict 2025 dairy margins to be favorable although not as strong as previously anticipated.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61451 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 17:10:13 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61451-dairy-risk-management-calendar-may-2025 jenn@agproud.com The start of the new year predicted favorable margins throughout 2025. But as the spring flush arrives and consumer spending softens some, while at the same time headwinds are expected for the export markets, new concerns have arisen for the remainder of the year. The start of the new year predicted favorable margins throughout 2025. But as the spring flush arrives and consumer spending softens some, while at the same time headwinds are expected for the export markets, new concerns have arisen for the remainder of the year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61317 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:25:56 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61317-dairy-risk-management-calendar-april-2025 cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com Jacking and blocking farm equipment are critical steps in ensuring that the worker remains safe and that equipment isn't damaged. Jacking and blocking farm equipment are critical steps in ensuring that the worker remains safe and that equipment isn't damaged.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61131 Thu, 13 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61131-the-importance-of-properly-jacking-and-blocking-farm-equipment 61131-decooman-safety.jpg jenn@agproud.com Small declines in milk prices and climbing feed costs give way to tighter margins as we head into the spring months. Yet, margins are still swaying in a dairy producer’s favor. Small declines in milk prices and climbing feed costs give way to tighter margins as we head into the spring months. Yet, margins are still swaying in a dairy producer’s favor.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61169 Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:02:29 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61169-dairy-risk-management-calendar-march-2025 jenn@agproud.com The new year is taking shape with risk management policies offering enrollment for 2025 as the 2018 Farm Bill was granted a one-year extension, as well as the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) referendum passing with the new rule to take effect June 1. The new year is taking shape with risk management policies offering enrollment for 2025 as the 2018 Farm Bill was granted a one-year extension, as well as the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) referendum passing with the new rule to take effect June 1.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60997 Mon, 27 Jan 2025 16:43:32 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60997-dairy-risk-management-calendar-february-2025 dave@agproud.com In news affecting dairy's bottom line in mid-January, the Class I base price edges higher and the GDT index is back up. However, November fluid milk sales are down compared to the same month last year. In news affecting dairy's bottom line in mid-January, the Class I base price edges higher and the GDT index is back up. However, November fluid milk sales are down compared to the same month last year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60984 Thu, 23 Jan 2025 16:36:22 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60984-economic-update-class-i-base-price-edges-higher-for-february jenn@agproud.com The 2024 year ended with Class III prices showing more traction in December than in previous months as cheese and whey protein prices improved, and Class IV prices remained elevated to reflect strong market conditions. The 2024 year ended with Class III prices showing more traction in December than in previous months as cheese and whey protein prices improved, and Class IV prices remained elevated to reflect strong market conditions.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60830 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:34:46 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60830-dairy-risk-management-calendar-january-2025 cheryl@peoplemanagementgroup.com This article will look at noise levels on the farm, proper precautions and some best practices related to hearing protection. We will also examine employer responsibilities related to employees and noise on the farm. This article will look at noise levels on the farm, proper precautions and some best practices related to hearing protection. We will also examine employer responsibilities related to employees and noise on the farm.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60566 Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60566-noise-on-the-farm 60566-decooman-1.coreylewis.jpg jenn@agproud.com As we look to the last month of the year, milk prices are trending lower than the previous months’ highs with milk production up year over year, new cheese plants online and holiday buying finishing up noted as a few influencing factors. Yet margins continue to look favorable. As we look to the last month of the year, milk prices are trending lower than the previous months’ highs with milk production up year over year, new cheese plants online and holiday buying finishing up noted as a few influencing factors. Yet margins continue to look favorable.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60694 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:26:35 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60694-dairy-risk-management-calendar-december Producers now have a valuable opportunity to secure higher revenue floors in an increasingly volatile market by enrolling in the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) program. The program is a great addition to a sound risk management strategy, allowing producers to give added focus on managing volatility beyond the commodity sector and unpredictable geopolitical, macroeconomic and other unforeseen risks. Producers now have a valuable opportunity to secure higher revenue floors in an increasingly volatile market by enrolling in the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) program. The program is a great addition to a sound risk management strategy, allowing producers to give added focus on managing volatility beyond the commodity sector and unpredictable geopolitical, macroeconomic and other unforeseen risks.  

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60562 Fri, 15 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60562-dairy-risk-management-a-need-in-todays-environment 60562-patchin-risk-management.jpg jenn@agproud.com Milk futures remain high as feed costs drop to levels last seen in 2020, yet other market pressures such as lower butter and cheese prices and waning holiday demand, as well as recent milk production reports revealing gains for the first time in more than a year, complicate the matter. Milk futures remain high as feed costs drop to levels last seen in 2020, yet other market pressures such as lower butter and cheese prices and waning holiday demand, as well as recent milk production reports revealing gains for the first time in more than a year, complicate the matter.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60535 Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:38:18 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60535-dairy-risk-management-calendar-november jenn@agproud.com 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. 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.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60400 Thu, 26 Sep 2024 07:22:45 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60400-dairy-risk-management-calendar-october ryan.sterry@wisc.edu The beef and dairy industries have long been interconnected, and all dairy producers are beef producers through the sale of market cows, bull calves and beef-on-dairy crossbred calves. Taking this one step further, we want to explore a few of the observations we have made as dairy producers have added a beef enterprise to their dairy operation or made the transition out of dairy. The beef and dairy industries have long been interconnected, and all dairy producers are beef producers through the sale of market cows, bull calves and beef-on-dairy crossbred calves. Taking this one step further, we want to explore a few of the observations we have made as dairy producers have added a beef enterprise to their dairy operation or made the transition out of dairy.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60214 Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60214-points-to-consider-before-transitioning-your-dairy-business-to-a-beef-operation 60214-halfman-loew.jpg jenn@agproud.com Futures prices for milk and feed are looking favorable for dairy producers with the fourth quarter of 2024 on the horizon. At the time of this report, the all-milk price forecast was at a staggering $25.06 per hundredweight (cwt) for September and feed costs were at $10.27 per cwt, the lowest since 2020. Futures prices for milk and feed are looking favorable for dairy producers with the fourth quarter of 2024 on the horizon. At the time of this report, the all-milk price forecast was at a staggering $25.06 per hundredweight (cwt) for September and feed costs were at $10.27 per cwt, the lowest since 2020.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60248 Wed, 28 Aug 2024 09:30:52 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60248-dairy-risk-management-calendar-september-2024