Dairy News

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.

Children’s museum debuts interactive 'Moo-ve The Milk' exhibit

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

Downtown Buffalo, New York’s Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson Children’s Museum has added a captivating new addition to its fourth floor. The “Moo-ve The Milk” exhibit is a hands-on display that takes children and their families through the journey of milk from cow to grocery store, making dairy education as fun as it is informative.

Dairy risk management calendar: June 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:25:28 -0400

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.

Economic Update: June Class I base price reaches $22.18 per cwt

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 13:13:23 -0400

In the news impacting a dairy producer's bottom line the third week of May 2026: June Class I base price reaches $22.18 per cwt, fluid milk sales for March are 2.3% higher than a year earlier, the FARM Environmental Stewardship Program integrates newly updated RuFaS Model, and entries are now open for the 2026 World Forage Analysis Superbowl.

Weekly Digest: Poull selected as the 79th Alice in Dairyland

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:37:45 -0400

In dairy-related news for the first half of May 2026: Poull was selected as the 79th Alice in Dairyland, Michael Dykes announced plans to retire as president and CEO of IDFA, and the USDA requests producer input.

April uniform milk prices, PPDs rise

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:29:11 -0400

The Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices rose an average of $1.48 per hundredweight (cwt) from March to April for an average price of $20.03 per cwt across the 11 orders.

USDA adds 3.7 billion pounds to 2026 milk outlook

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 14:09:39 -0400

USDA’s May WASDE report raised 2026 milk production to 235.4 billion pounds on expectations of a larger cow herd but a slower growth rate in output per cow.

The world is craving U.S. dairy products

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:22:40 -0400

Prices continue to support the ample flow of milk in the U.S. as the global marketplace wants more. In March, not only were U.S. dairy product exports up 8% from the same month a year ago, but it was the highest milk solid equivalent volume in four years.

Economic Update: USDA puts Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into effect

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:14:57 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the first week of May 2026: The USDA puts Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act into effect, GDT index back up 1.5%, and farmer sentiment declines amid input cost and availability concerns.

The road ahead: FMMO reform and dairy pricing

vmason@centerfordairyexcellence.org — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

At the 2026 Pennsylvania Dairy Summit, Sara Dorland, managing partner at Ceres Dairy Risk Management, shared her insights on the global dairy landscape, dairy markets, the recent Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) price reform and what all of this could mean for dairy producers.

Replacement dairy cow prices hit new record high

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:54:02 -0400

Prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows continued climbing into the first half of 2026, reaching a new record high in April, according to the latest quarterly estimates from the USDA.

Weekly Digest: USDA seeks nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 04 May 2026 13:54:45 -0400

In dairy-related news at the beginning of May 2026: The USDA is seeking nominees for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, May FSA interest rates hold steady, a USTR report underlines landmark wins for common name protections, and Holstein Association USA names its Star of the Breed and Herds of Excellence.

March DMC skates above payment threshold at $9.57 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:25:25 -0400

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices report, released April 30, established March’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. Both milk prices and feed costs rallied enough in March for the DMC program margin to climb out of the depths of indemnity payments.

Weekly Digest: Organic dairy producers file class action suit against the U.S. government

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:20:37 -0400

In dairy-related news to end April 2026: Organic dairy producers file class action suit against the U.S. government, chocolate returns to the top as America’s favorite ice cream flavor, and dairy product prices continue to gain strength.

2026 Farm Bill passes the House, moves to the Senate

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:03:32 -0400

Agriculture groups applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 this morning with a vote of 224-200. Next, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry will develop their version of the bill for consideration on the Senate floor.

Milk prices rise for fourth consecutive month

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:54:10 -0400

The USDA’s Announcement of Class and Component Prices report for April confirmed the good news buzzing throughout the dairy industry, with prices rising in Class II, III and IV for the fourth straight month in 2026.

Weekly Digest: USDA eases requirement for HPAI testing of dairy cows for interstate movement

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:25:33 -0400

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.

Dairy cows culled for beef up in March report

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:57:58 -0400

Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in March 2026 was estimated at 239,200.

Dairy risk management calendar: May 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:36:20 -0400

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.

U.S. milk production climbs 2.3% in March as dairy herd grows

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:55:11 -0400

Twenty states including Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin boosted milk production a combined 535 million pounds in March.

Economic Update: May Class I base milk price climbs past $20 per cwt

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:12:08 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy producer's bottom line the third week of April 2026: May Class I base milk price climbs past $20 per cwt, fluid milk sales remain lower than last year, GDT index is down again, Alltech survey estimates world feed production increased in 2025, protein innovation, margin discipline emerge as top priorities for dairy executives, and applications open for Dairy’s Foundation grants.

Weekly Digest: Bird flu back in Idaho dairy

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:52:55 -0400

In dairy-related news the third week of April 2026: Bird flu back in Idaho dairy, Texas facility groundbreaking marks major milestone in NWS preparedness, and Lallemand launches educational platform on the ruminant digestion.

Lending conditions weakened in last quarter of 2025

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:35:15 -0400

Interest rates in the fourth quarter of 2025 dipped to rates not seen since 2022 – lower than the peaks of 2023 but remained above the 10-year average – a signal lending conditions were more favorable for farmers despite overall credit conditions deteriorating as the year came to a close.