Dairy News

USDA milk production forecasts edge slightly higher

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:47:59 -0400

USDA’s July WASDE raised 2026 milk production slightly to 236.6 billion pounds on expectations of a larger cow herd and a decrease in milk output per cow.

Economic Update: FARM Program opens comment period for version 2028

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:46:19 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line: The FARM Program opens comment period for version 2028, Rabobank provides an update on global dairy trade, high input cost concerns weigh on farmer sentiment, and Land O’Lakes Inc. announced an investment to expand dairy protein production in California.

Domestic NDM/SMP prices create headwinds for U.S. export market

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:38:36 -0400

May proved to be another enthusiastic month for U.S. dairy exports, with the year-over-year volume growth streak now reaching eight consecutive months as exports rose 14% in milk solids equivalent terms. All of this is despite low nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) shipments – due to steep price comparison – reigning in what might have been a record month.

Weekly Digest: U.S. declines USMCA renewal in current form

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:00:47 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of July 2026: The U.S. declines USMCA renewal in current form; NASS report shows corn planted acreage down 3%, soybean acreage up 5%; nominations are open for NMC’s National Dairy Quality Awards program, and World Dairy Expo cattle show entries are open too.

Milk from Family Dairies Act gains widespread industry support

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:18:27 -0400

The Milk from Family Dairies Act, which aims to stabilize the dairy market, was introduced in the Senate on June 29, led by Peter Welch (D-Vermont) and co-sponsored by Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont). The bill would ensure market transparency and fair prices for dairy farmers, maintain consumer access to reliable and reasonably priced dairy products, and revitalize rural communities by establishing a Dairy Market Stabilization Program to ensure dairy farmers get a fair price for their milk based on their cost of production.

New legislation would expand access to H-2A beyond seasonal workers

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:27:29 -0400

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act was introduced in the House on June 30, led by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania). The legislation would modernize agricultural workforce policy by updating the H-2A visa program and expanding access beyond seasonal workers.

Milk class prices shrink in June report

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:11:13 -0400

While the market for Class IV milk is still strong, the markets are signaling a retreat is near. The June USDA Announcement of Class and Component Prices report indicated the Class IV milk price falling more than $2 from the month prior, and while the Class III price also fell, the gap between the two is closing as the markets search for balance.

May DMC margin is realized at $10.62 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:00:37 -0400

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices report, released June 29, established May’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. As the all-milk price rose 50 cents, the total feed costs rose 42 cents, boosting the DMC margin 8 cents to $10.62 per hundredweight (cwt) for the month.

Dairy risk management calendar: July 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:10:45 -0400

Milk production across the U.S. has been rampant in 2026 with both processing capacity and global demand pressuring dairy farms to produce more, and a larger national dairy herd is helping keep the pace. Despite all the dynamics working in favor for U.S. dairy farmers, milk margins remain tight and risk management strategies remain critical.

Weekly Digest: June Dairy Month ends with product donation, innovation, promotion

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:04:17 -0400

In dairy-related news at the end of June 2026: Prairie Farms Family of Companies honors America’s 250th anniversary with donation of 250,000 servings of milk, dairy demand resilient despite mounting economic pressure on consumers, Utah State wins dairy checkoff’s New Product Competition, Midwest Dairy Accelerator showcases new opportunities for dairy, and Gonna Need Milk partners with Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Studios’ Supergirl to spotlight milk.

Dairy cow culling slows as herd expansion continues

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:57:28 -0400

Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in May 2026 was estimated at 191,700.

Senate Agriculture Committee releases farm bill draft text

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:24:57 -0400

The 2026 Farm Bill is another step closer to completion this week after the Senate Agriculture Committee released draft text for their version of the bill, referred to as the Agricultural Act of 2026, on June 23. After the committee discusses the bill during the markup, it will move to the Senate floor for consideration.

Farmer-owned group opens new ice cream processing plant in Jerome

walt.cooley@agproud.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:59:28 -0400

Idaho Milk Products opened a new milk processing plant in June with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and distinguished guests attending from around the state. The $190 million plant is the company's second processing facility in Jerome, Idaho.

Q1 interest rates offer glimpse of bleak ag conditions

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 07:15:40 -0400

As 2026 got underway, interest rates for American farmers continued to retreat to levels last noticed in 2022 as reported in the major agricultural regions including Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City and Minneapolis Federal Reserve districts.

U.S. dairy herd growth drives higher milk production in May

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:16:38 -0400

Nineteen states including Kansas, Wisconsin and Texas boosted milk production a combined 494 million pounds in May.

Dairy now eligible for H-2A temporary agricultural worker program

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:33:52 -0400

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Labor issued a policy memorandum that allows dairy operations to use the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program when they can demonstrate a qualifying temporary or seasonal labor need under existing law.

Economic Update: Class I base milk price dips after up-and-up run

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:30:39 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the third week of June 2026: Class I base milk price dips after up-and-up run, fluid milk sales shift higher again, CoBank reports on dairy heifer inventories, and DFA announces idling of plant and closure of store in Vermont.

The future of the dairy industry is sustainable, profitable

martha.baker@alltech.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Farmers have long been committed to sustainability, though they haven’t always called it that. The promising part is that the end results and ultimate goal have always been the same, while the path to achieve the goal has just looked a little different.

Milk markets push PPDs, uniform prices to continue climbing in May

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:06:58 -0400

The average Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk price climbed 85 cents in May for an average price of $20.87 per hundredweight (cwt) across all 11 orders. Both May’s uniform milk price and producer price differentials (PPDs) edged upward, a reflection of the current market dynamics facing dairy producers, but at a much slower pace than what was realized in March and April.

Weekly Digest: Dairy farmers sue USDA over checkoff program

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:57:35 -0400

In dairy-related news the third week of June 2026: Dairy farmers sue the USDA over checkoff program, Congressional Fly-in urges action on labor and other issues, Rabobank reports the global dairy market is heading toward a supply slowdown, and Idaho Milk Products expands its footprint.

USDA feed supply, price forecasts remain stagnant

audrey@agproud.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:40:25 -0400

USDA’s June WASDE raised 2026 milk production to 236.4 billion pounds on expectations of a larger cow herd and an increase in milk output per cow.

U.S. dairy exports soar in April

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:28:59 -0400

April was another record-breaking month for U.S. dairy product exports, with cheese setting a new monthly record, and butterfat, nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NDM/SMP) and low-protein whey all continuing their respective growth streaks.

Weekly Digest: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm confirmed, Canada restricts imports

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:32:45 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the second week of June 2026: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm were confirmed and Canada restricts imports, FARM Biosecurity celebrates updated Secure Milk Supply Plan and producer resources, and three Midwest farms earn 2025 High Production Herd Award.

Economic Update: HPAI returns to Texas, Utah

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:47:50 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the first week of June 2026: New HPAI cases found in Texas and Utah, farmer sentiment slips again due to high input costs, and the FARM Program released its 2026 drug residue prevention manual.

Class III-IV gap widens to largest spread since 2020

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:08:46 -0400

The May USDA Announcement of Class and Component Prices report is indicative of a milk market the U.S. dairy industry has not seen since 2020 as the gap between Class III and Class IV reached $5.40 per hundredweight (cwt), incentivizing depooling in Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs).

Weekly Digest: Checkoff to celebrate National Cheese Day June 4

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:15:50 -0400

In the news related to dairy farming the first week of June 2026: The dairy checkoff brings "Body by Cheese" to life for National Cheese Day, U.S. dairy calls for action on Canadian dairy trade practices, and the FARM Program kicks off its annual Excellence Awards.

April DMC margin reaches yearly high of $10.54 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:10:21 -0400

The price for all key feedstuffs used to calculate the margin rose in April, revealing an income over feed cost of $10.54 per hundredweight (cwt), more than $1 above the highest coverage selection in Tier I and comfortably positioning those enrolled in the program in the clear of indemnity payments.

April report on dairy cows culled for beef

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 26 May 2026 08:07:12 -0400

Based on latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in April 2026 was estimated at 215,100.

June Dairy Month butter carving contest churns up fun

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A block of butter, plastic cutlery and just 10 minutes on the clock may not sound like the recipe for a crowd-pleaser, but at the Washburn County Fairgrounds in Spooner, Wisconsin, it proved to be the perfect dairy activity for June Dairy Month.

Milk production, cow numbers continue to increase in April USDA estimates

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:00:22 -0400

Nineteen states including Kansas, California and Wisconsin boosted milk production a combined 574 million pounds in April.