Dairy Industry Issues

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.

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.

Alliance Watch: Key takeaways for dairy producers from the 2026 Stakeholders Summit

gplatte@animalagalliance.org — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Consumers are prioritizing “real food” ingredients, meaning nutrient-dense, high-protein and gut-healthy, more than they have in years past. According to speakers at the 2026 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit, these trends are creating both new opportunities and new responsibilities for animal agriculture.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

InFocus: Farmers share key concerns with greenhouse gas data collection

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

American Dairy Coalition greenhouse gas survey results say farm data demands not really voluntary, and responses shed light on key concerns.

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.

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.

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.

Weekly Digest: Holstein Association USA board approves additional changes

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:04:17 -0400

In dairy-related news during the first week of April 2026: the Holstein Association USA board approves additional changes, U.S. farmers share their planting intentions, USDA expands SNAP dairy nutrition incentives, and World Dairy Expo announces award winners and new board members.

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.

Weekly Digest: Survey reveals dairy producer concerns over GHG data requests

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:06:53 -0400

In dairy-related news the fourth week of March 2026: A survey reveals dairy producer concerns over GHG data requests, Bel invests $200 million to double Babybel production capacity, the All-American Dairy Show is seeking a chair for its Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, and applications are open for the second annual Midwest Dairy Accelerator.

Dairy replacement cow prices fall back to last spring

audrey@agproud.com — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:13:33 -0400

Prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows dropped in January, falling back to levels similar to those seen in April 2025, according to latest quarterly estimates from the USDA. U.S. replacement dairy cow prices averaged $2,860 per head in January 2026, down $250 (9%) from October 2025 but up $200 (7%) from January 2025.

Weekly Digest: Class action lawsuit alleges price fixing in the U.S. fertilizer industry

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 18:05:07 -0400

In the news affecting dairy farms the third week of March 2026: A class action lawsuit alleges price fixing in the U.S. fertilizer industry, most of the U.S. rented farmland is owned by non-farmers, and an agreement between Ecuador and the U.S. improves dairy market access.

Precision decisions: How AI will shape dairy performance in 2026

mulloago@purdue.edu — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:38:11 -0400

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging in 2026 not as a futuristic concept but as a practical response to the complexity of dairy farming. Its primary value is not automation for its own sake but the ability to improve decisions across thousands of animals and management variables.

Farm bill passes House Agriculture Committee, moves to House floor

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:15:39 -0500

After a markup session lasting more than 20 hours, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee with a 34-17 vote.

Economic Update: GDT index moves higher in fifth consecutive event

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:04:46 -0500

In the news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line the first week of March 2026: GDT index moves higher in fifth consecutive event, AFBF economist examines the Dairy Margin Coverage program, and DMI CEO Barbara O’Brien announces her retirement.