The Year-over-year (YOY) growth in the U.S. herd size and milk per cow continues to increase total milk production across the country. Ample domestic milk supply along with increased international competition from the European Union are driving milk prices down. With drought conditions across a large part of the U.S. and geo-political issues in other…
The United Nations (UN) is a global alliance whose objective is to broker and secure peace and protect human and international rights. The UN is made up of 193 member countries which includes the U.S. Collectively, UN nations cover roughly 89% of the inhabitable land area and represent more than 99% of the world’s population….
The dairy industry plays a crucial role not only in the communities where dairy farms and dairy processing exist, but it is also very important to individual states and the entire U.S. economy. Every two years the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) conducts a dairy economics impact study. In honor of June Dairy Month, IDFA…
During the last half of 2022, dairy economists were already warning the industry that milk price was going to fall and feed prices were going to be lower but stay historically high in 2023. Predictions were for margins to be tight and perhaps negative for many dairy farmers this year. Unfortunately, these predictions are becoming…
June Dairy Month is now in its 87th year. I am sure it looks a lot different than it did back in 1937 when it began as National Milk Month and ran from June 10 to July 10, but the main goal is still the same: to promote dairy’s nutrition and wellness attributes to boost…
Inflation continues to pressure dairy sales at the retail level while cow numbers and milk production continue slight growth compared to last year. The spring flush is expected to peak this month with warmer summer weather expected to begin reducing milk production in the warmer climate states in June. Fluid milk orders are down with…
Now that spring crop work is in full swing, it is appropriate for the reminder that safety is of the utmost importance. We know the dangers farmers face daily. However, sometimes if we are in a hurry to complete tasks or doing dangerous jobs that have been completed without issue year after year, we can…
Spring has sprung across most of the country, and the latest USDA Crop Progress report (May 8, 2023) is starting to reflect this with the top 18 corn and soybean producing states showing progress getting corn and soybeans in the ground. The top 18 corn producers (including 16th-ranked Pennsylvania) planted 92% of the nation’s corn…
The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) feed cost declined by 39 cents during March compared to February. All three DMC feed cost factors – corn, soybean meal (SBM), and superior alfalfa hay – experienced declines that resulted in a final total DMC feed cost of $15.02 per cwt. Unfortunately, the U.S. all-milk price declined an additional…
The improvement in Class III milk prices that were seen in March did not continue into April. Class IV milk prices stabilized somewhat from previous months’ drops but continued a downward trajectory. Slightly increased milk production, coupled with building dairy product stocks, have resulted in lower dairy product prices across the board. This is bringing…
