https://www.agproud.com/rss en-us kimmi@agproud.com Taking the next step often involves an investment – in time, energy and sometimes money. While many dairy producers interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage are concerned about financial margins and their bottom line, they also have an eye on the future and are investing in their operations in ways that make it an attractive option for the next generation. Taking the next step often involves an investment – in time, energy and sometimes money. While many dairy producers interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage are concerned about financial margins and their bottom line, they also have an eye on the future and are investing in their operations in ways that make it an attractive option for the next generation.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/62993 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/62993-investing-in-the-future kimmi@agproud.com This year’s survey of dairy producers and industry leaders from coast to coast paints a fairly grim picture of the current state of the U.S. dairy industry. However, dairy producers are the eternal optimists – especially during bad times – and there is plenty that they are excited about. This year’s survey of dairy producers and industry leaders from coast to coast paints a fairly grim picture of the current state of the U.S. dairy industry. However, dairy producers are the eternal optimists – especially during bad times – and there is plenty that they are excited about.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62926 Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62926-state-of-dairy-2026 62926-state-of-dairy-2.jpg kimmi@agproud.com In early 2026, one of the bright spots in the U.S. dairy industry is the organic sector, where a nationwide shortage of organic milk has resulted in higher mailbox prices. In early 2026, one of the bright spots in the U.S. dairy industry is the organic sector, where a nationwide shortage of organic milk has resulted in higher mailbox prices.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62981 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62981-state-of-dairy-higher-organic-milk-prices-improve-morale 62981-devaney-holstein-cow-skiing.coreylewis.jpg kimmi@agproud.com Processing was addressed by those surveyed for State of Dairy as both an exciting opportunity and a challenge in some regions – especially since there are still many unanswered questions about how it will ultimately affect milk flows, if new processing facilities will eventually lead to the closure of some other existing ones and how much new capacity is actually available. Processing was addressed by those surveyed for State of Dairy as both an exciting opportunity and a challenge in some regions – especially since there are still many unanswered questions about how it will ultimately affect milk flows, if new processing facilities will eventually lead to the closure of some other existing ones and how much new capacity is actually available. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62980 Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62980-state-of-dairy-2026-regional-updates-processing-regulations-new-world-screwworm kimmi@agproud.com Labor challenges, low milk prices and tighter financial margins on many dairy operations are top of mind for producers heading into 2026, as well as growing concerns about labor availability, labor policy and staying competitive with surrounding non-agriculture industries. Labor challenges, low milk prices and tighter financial margins on many dairy operations are top of mind for producers heading into 2026, as well as growing concerns about labor availability, labor policy and staying competitive with surrounding non-agriculture industries.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62963 Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62963-state-of-dairy-labor-and-tight-margins-challenge-dairy-operations-in-2026 62963-devaney-jersey-cow-skiing.coreylewis.jpg kimmi@agproud.com The beginning of a new year is often a time to refresh goals and evaluate the vision for one’s life. Similarly, multiple people interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage said late 2025 and early 2026 will be remembered as a reset. The beginning of a new year is often a time to refresh goals and evaluate the vision for one’s life. Similarly, multiple people interviewed for this year’s State of Dairy coverage said late 2025 and early 2026 will be remembered as a reset. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62978 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62978-state-of-dairy-2026-brings-renewed-excitement-for-school-milk-on-farm-technology-and-beef-on-dairy wloux@usdec.org In contrast to the start of last year, U.S. dairy markets are in a far more unsettled place to begin 2026. Dairy farmers are seeing noticeably lower pay prices than this time a year ago. In contrast to the start of last year, U.S. dairy markets are in a far more unsettled place to begin 2026. Dairy farmers are seeing noticeably lower pay prices than this time a year ago.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62965 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62965-state-of-the-dairy-economy-in-2026 jenn@agproud.com Last year, Dairy West, representing dairy producers in Idaho and Utah, was also approved to oversee dairy product education and promotion for producers in Washington and Oregon. The board-approved merger, a solution to address consolidation and industry needs, is an example of the ever-changing landscape of dairy product promotion for U.S. consumers. Last year, Dairy West, representing dairy producers in Idaho and Utah, was also approved to oversee dairy product education and promotion for producers in Washington and Oregon. The board-approved merger, a solution to address consolidation and industry needs, is an example of the ever-changing landscape of dairy product promotion for U.S. consumers.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/62923 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/62923-the-evolution-of-dairy-promotion 62923-coyne-1.jpg matti@agproud.com From the Maritimes to the Prairies and the mountains of the West Coast, dairy producers across the country face their own unique challenges from year to year. Progressive Dairy talked with producers and professionals in several provinces to learn about the challenges, triumphs and opportunities found within 2025 thus far. From the Maritimes to the Prairies and the mountains of the West Coast, dairy producers across the country face their own unique challenges from year to year. Progressive Dairy talked with producers and professionals in several provinces to learn about the challenges, triumphs and opportunities found within 2025 thus far.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61809 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61809-2025-state-of-dairy-trade-uncertainty-market-growth-on-the-minds-of-canadian-producers kimmi@agproud.com What a year! Between political changes, policy uncertainties, the bird flu outbreak in 17 states, new dairy processing facilities starting to come online, milk prices rising and the USDA finalizing changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO), the last 12 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster. However, it’s exciting that the outlook for 2025 looks much brighter than one year ago. What a year! Between political changes, policy uncertainties, the bird flu outbreak in 17 states, new dairy processing facilities starting to come online, milk prices rising and the USDA finalizing changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO), the last 12 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster. However, it’s exciting that the outlook for 2025 looks much brighter than one year ago. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/61118 Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/61118-2025-state-of-dairy kimmi@agproud.com Many dairy producers across the U.S. are starting 2025 in a more optimistic state than a year ago. While attitudes ranged from upbeat and positive to cautious and uncertain, the majority were fairly hopeful for what is to come this year. Many dairy producers across the U.S. are starting 2025 in a more optimistic state than a year ago. While attitudes ranged from upbeat and positive to cautious and uncertain, the majority were fairly hopeful for what is to come this year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61117 Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61117-2025-state-of-dairy-brighter-but-policy-labor-water-challenges-linger 61117-devaney-processing-plant.jpg kimmi@agproud.com Higher milk and beef prices are two bright spots that have contributed to healthier financial margins across much of the Pacific Northwest. Higher milk and beef prices are two bright spots that have contributed to healthier financial margins across much of the Pacific Northwest.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61104 Mon, 10 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61104-2025-state-of-dairy-pacific-northwest-recovering-financially-but-labor-regulation-challenges-continue kimmi@agproud.com Many dairy producers in California are cautiously optimistic about what 2025 has in store, including Tyler Ribeiro from Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare. Topping his list of concerns right now are feed and water costs. Many dairy producers in California are cautiously optimistic about what 2025 has in store, including Tyler Ribeiro from Rib-Arrow Dairy in Tulare. Topping his list of concerns right now are feed and water costs.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61095 Mon, 10 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61095-2025-state-of-dairy-california-water-water-water kimmi@agproud.com Entering 2025, the Texas dairy industry is healing from last year’s drought conditions and bird flu outbreak. However, Darren Turley, executive director at the Texas Association of Dairymen, says dairy producers are expecting better conditions and pricing moving forward. Entering 2025, the Texas dairy industry is healing from last year’s drought conditions and bird flu outbreak. However, Darren Turley, executive director at the Texas Association of Dairymen, says dairy producers are expecting better conditions and pricing moving forward.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61106 Sun, 09 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61106-2025-state-of-dairy-growth-and-optimism-in-texas kimmi@agproud.com Despite political uncertainty, dairy producers across the Midwest are feeling positive and optimistic as we begin 2025, largely due to higher milk prices, improved profitability and a strong beef market. Despite political uncertainty, dairy producers across the Midwest are feeling positive and optimistic as we begin 2025, largely due to higher milk prices, improved profitability and a strong beef market.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61102 Sun, 09 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61102-2025-state-of-dairy-midwest-improved-financial-margins-bring-optimism-for-2025 kimmi@agproud.com Looking to the future, many dairy producers across the Northeast – especially in New York and Pennsylvania – are capitalizing on positive margins. “A lot of producers in our area of New York are positioning for growth, whether that be herd size, expansion or diversification,” says Tyler Reynolds of Reyncrest Farm, Corfu, New York. Looking to the future, many dairy producers across the Northeast – especially in New York and Pennsylvania – are capitalizing on positive margins. “A lot of producers in our area of New York are positioning for growth, whether that be herd size, expansion or diversification,” says Tyler Reynolds of Reyncrest Farm, Corfu, New York.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61103 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61103-2025-state-of-dairy-northeast-growth-minded-and-cautious kimmi@agproud.com Talk of growth, expansion and new opportunities have historically been quieter in the Southeast than in other regions, but Travis Senn, assistant director of milk marketing and analytics at Southeast Milk Inc. (SMI), says dairy farmers in this region are entering 2025 with a “level of confidence they haven’t had in years.” Talk of growth, expansion and new opportunities have historically been quieter in the Southeast than in other regions, but Travis Senn, assistant director of milk marketing and analytics at Southeast Milk Inc. (SMI), says dairy farmers in this region are entering 2025 with a “level of confidence they haven’t had in years.”

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61101 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61101-2025-state-of-dairy-southeast-a-heightened-level-of-optimism-not-seen-in-years kimmi@agproud.com Bird flu or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was a wild card for the dairy industry in 2024, as the first diagnosis in dairy cattle happened in Texas in late March. Progressive Dairy interviewed state veterinarians and animal health officials in the five states with the most cases of bird flu on dairy farms – Texas, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado and California – to learn more about their approach to managing and minimizing the disease. Bird flu or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was a wild card for the dairy industry in 2024, as the first diagnosis in dairy cattle happened in Texas in late March. Progressive Dairy interviewed state veterinarians and animal health officials in the five states with the most cases of bird flu on dairy farms – Texas, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado and California – to learn more about their approach to managing and minimizing the disease.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61116 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61116-2025-state-of-dairy-state-veterinarian-roundtable-bird-flu kimmi@agproud.com On-farm financial margins have improved over the last year, and many organic dairy producers are feeling positive and optimistic thanks to lower inflationary pressure, higher mailbox prices and rising consumer demand. On-farm financial margins have improved over the last year, and many organic dairy producers are feeling positive and optimistic thanks to lower inflationary pressure, higher mailbox prices and rising consumer demand.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61112 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61112-2025-state-of-dairy-organic-higher-mailbox-prices-bring-optimism-despite-ongoing-challenges kimmi@agproud.com Progressive Dairy interviewed Will Loux, senior vice president of global economic affairs at National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with Paul Bleiberg, executive vice president of government relations at NMPF, to learn more about the economic outlook for the dairy industry in the coming year. Progressive Dairy interviewed Will Loux, senior vice president of global economic affairs at National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), along with Paul Bleiberg, executive vice president of government relations at NMPF, to learn more about the economic outlook for the dairy industry in the coming year. 

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61114 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:48:45 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61114-3-open-minutes-with-will-loux-national-milk-producers-federation 61114-loux-1.jpg lucas.fuess@rabobank.com Looking ahead, significant questions persist in both the dairy and political landscape for the coming months, with uncertainty and volatility never taking a rest. From tariffs to demand, and labor availability to avian influenza, a variety of topics are likely to command attention throughout this year. Looking ahead, significant questions persist in both the dairy and political landscape for the coming months, with uncertainty and volatility never taking a rest. From tariffs to demand, and labor availability to avian influenza, a variety of topics are likely to command attention throughout this year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/61094 Wed, 05 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/61094-2025-consumption-export-and-milk-production-trends audrey@agproud.com As we close the books on 2024, Progressive Dairy’s editorial team identified four trending topics that made headlines throughout the year. Read on as we recap highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in dairy cattle, Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization efforts, increasing dairy margins and declining dairy cattle inventories. As we close the books on 2024, Progressive Dairy’s editorial team identified four trending topics that made headlines throughout the year. Read on as we recap highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in dairy cattle, Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization efforts, increasing dairy margins and declining dairy cattle inventories.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/60680 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500 https://www.agproud.com/articles/60680-2024-year-in-review-hpai-fmmo-margin-recovery-and-dairy-cattle-inventories News_press_-_Getty.jpeg Newspapers being printed in printing press. kimmi@agproud.com 2023 was a tough and “below-average” year for many dairy producers in the Northeast. While they remain cautious heading into 2024, new processing capacity in New York and other opportunities across the region bring excitement and optimism to the dairy community. 2023 was a tough and “below-average” year for many dairy producers in the Northeast. While they remain cautious heading into 2024, new processing capacity in New York and other opportunities across the region bring excitement and optimism to the dairy community.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59187 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59187-2024-state-of-dairy-pensive-and-cautious-in-the-northeast kimmi@agproud.com In addition to the high input costs and thin margins plaguing dairy producers across the nation, drought, other water issues, low milk prices and labor contribute to the caution expressed by dairy producers and industry leaders in the central and Great Plains region. In addition to the high input costs and thin margins plaguing dairy producers across the nation, drought, other water issues, low milk prices and labor contribute to the caution expressed by dairy producers and industry leaders in the central and Great Plains region.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59186 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59186-2024-state-of-dairy-proceeding-with-caution-in-the-great-plains kimmi@agproud.com New processing capacity in West Virginia and Georgia is bringing optimism to the dairy community in the Southeast. However, 2023 weakened the financial positions of many dairy producers across the region. New processing capacity in West Virginia and Georgia is bringing optimism to the dairy community in the Southeast. However, 2023 weakened the financial positions of many dairy producers across the region.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59185 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59185-2024-state-of-dairy-hanging-on-in-the-southeast kimmi@agproud.com The words “financially stressed,” “weary” and “frustrated” paint a less than cheery picture of the current state of the dairy economy heading into 2024 for producers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The words “financially stressed,” “weary” and “frustrated” paint a less than cheery picture of the current state of the dairy economy heading into 2024 for producers in Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59182 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59182-2024-state-of-dairy-financial-stress-regulations-burden-dairy-operations-in-the-west kimmi@agproud.com It comes as no surprise that 2023 was a rough year for most dairy producers across the U.S. with low milk prices, high input costs and tight margins. It comes as no surprise that 2023 was a rough year for most dairy producers across the U.S. with low milk prices, high input costs and tight margins.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59177 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59177-2024-state-of-dairy 59177-devaney-cover-image-intro.jpg kimmi@agproud.com Entering an election year with high inflation and input costs, tight dairy farm margins and a farm bill that has been punted into 2024 has left many in the Midwest feeling a mix of uncertainty and cautious optimism about what is to come this year. Entering an election year with high inflation and input costs, tight dairy farm margins and a farm bill that has been punted into 2024 has left many in the Midwest feeling a mix of uncertainty and cautious optimism about what is to come this year.

]]> http://www.agproud.com/articles/59175 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/59175-2024-state-of-dairy-cautiously-optimistic-amid-uncertainty-in-the-midwest kimmi@agproud.com How cool would it be to have answers to the same (or similar) questions each year or every few years throughout our lives to see how the answers change (or stay the same) over the decades? How cool would it be to have answers to the same (or similar) questions each year or every few years throughout our lives to see how the answers change (or stay the same) over the decades?

]]> http://www.agproud.com/blogs/1/post/59156 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/blogs/1-progressive-dairy-from-the-editor/post/59156-a-dairy-time-capsule-2024-edition http://www.agproud.com/articles/57203 Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.agproud.com/articles/57203-podcast-2023-state-of-the-dairy-industry-discussion-with-dave-natzke-and-kimmi-devaney