Milk Marketing

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).

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Uniform milk prices are firm heading into spring flush

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:35:11 -0400

Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices climbed $1.14 per hundredweight (cwt) in March for an average price of $18.55 per cwt across all 11 orders.

Weekly Digest: NMC announces agenda for June regional meeting in Wisconsin

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:16:13 -0400

In dairy-related news the second week of April 2026: NMC announces agenda for June regional meeting in Wisconsin, the GDT index drops 3.4%, farmer sentiment improves despite rising input costs, and Hiland Dairy hosts a grand opening at its Texas production facility.

USDA increases 2026 milk production estimates, Class III and all-milk prices projected higher

audrey@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:56:20 -0400

The USDA’s April WASDE raised 2026 milk production to 235.3 billion pounds as increases to the dairy cow inventory more than offset slower growth in milk output per cow.

Milk prices rising is not an April Fools’ joke

jenn@agproud.com — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:31:42 -0400

Dairy markets continue moving in the right direction as milk class prices improve substantially month over month as recorded in the latest Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class price report.

Weekly Digest: ADC seeks transparency in USDA cost survey

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:29:44 -0400

In dairy-related news to finish out March 2026: ADC seeks transparency in USDA cost survey, NMPF: Dairy product prices see noticeable improvement, Holstein Association USA board approves updates to TPI formula, and a collaboration creates bilingual videos on cattle sustainability.

Payments triggered for February DMC margin of $8.46 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:01:33 -0400

Despite dairy margins strengthening – particularly in Class III and Class IV – which offered an increase in the all-milk price and offset sturdy feed costs, it was not enough for February’s margin to sit above the maximum payment threshold of the DMC program.

Dairy risk management calendar: April 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:54:04 -0400

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.

Milk production climbs as dairy herd expands in February USDA estimate

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:44:41 -0400

Twenty states including Kansas, California and Texas boosted milk production a combined 602 million pounds in February.

Economic Update: April Class I base milk price gets a boost to $18.66 per cwt

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:53:29 -0400

In the news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line the third week of March 2026: April Class I base price gets a boost to $18.66 per cwt, the dairy checkoff launches an online database to help farmers find grant opportunities, fluid milk sales start the year lower, and applications are now open for Holstein Foundation memorial scholarships.

February gives glimmer of optimism with FMMO price improvement

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:07:13 -0400

Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices rose 40 cents in February from January’s $17 per hundredweight (cwt) to start the new year. The price improvement is due in part to the USDA’s announcement to purchase dairy products for food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country.

USDA boosts 2026 milk production forecast as prices strengthen

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:09:23 -0400

USDA’s March WASDE raised 2025 milk production to 231.7 billion pounds and forecasts 234.7 billion pounds for 2026. Dairy prices strengthen, beef prices rise and most feed prices remain steady.

February milk prices to get boost from dairy byproducts

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:11:42 -0500

After a disappointing start to the new year, the milk markets are starting to look better for February based on a review of Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) milk class prices.

FMMO changes and the impact on producers’ payment

ljones@farme.com — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:22:43 -0500

By now, the dust has settled on the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) changes and it is possible to look back on their direct impacts.

January DMC margin lands at $7.81 per cwt

jenn@agproud.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:10:16 -0500

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Ag Prices report, released Feb. 27, established January’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. Factors contributing to the margin include a milk price $1.50 below December 2025’s price and feed costs 11 cents higher than that of the month prior.

Dairy risk management calendar: March 2026

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:23:33 -0500

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.

Milk production rises, dairy herd grows into January 2026

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:15:32 -0500

Nineteen states including California, Texas and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 712 million pounds in January.

Economic Update: March Class I base price to offer reprieve for producers

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:24:35 -0500

The Economic Update contains positive news, from a higher March Class I base price to the USDA's plans to purchase $148 million in dairy products, as well as higher domestic fluid milk sales and GDT index. Don't forget there is one week left to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage for 2026.

FMMO prices fall in January to kick off the new year

jenn@agproud.com — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:45:40 -0500

Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) uniform milk prices dwindled more than $1 from December 2025 in most orders, the result of robust production and waning consumer demand.