Latest News From Milk Prices

Milk Prices Continue to Fizzle Out
Milk Prices Continue to Fizzle Out

A wild week in milk markets finished on a fizzle.

Class III Milk Prices Continue to Fizzle Out
Class III Milk Prices Continue to Fizzle Out

Class III Milk markets have been less than exciting.

Cheese Prices See a Daring Decent
Cheese Prices See a Daring Decent

Cheese continued its descent on Monday as cheddar blocks fell 2.50 cents and barrels were down 2.75 cents. Class III values also reacted in a weaker tone. 

Margin and Cost Improvements Not Good Enough
Margin and Cost Improvements Not Good Enough

Depooling, new cheese production capacity, lower component prices all take toll on income.

Here's Why Better Milk Prices Might be Delayed
Here's Why Better Milk Prices Might be Delayed

The large decline in cow numbers and reduced milk production turned traders bullish, but that was short-lived. Will higher milk prices be delayed once again?

Will Milk Prices Rebound? 8 Important Market Signals to Watch
Will Milk Prices Rebound? 8 Important Market Signals to Watch

Dairy producers wonder what it will take for the market to turn around, as we wade out of this volatile economy. Phil Plourd shares fluctuating signals that are a telltale sign if milk prices will rebound in 2024.

Butter Prices Rebound, Milk Prices Fall Lower
Butter Prices Rebound, Milk Prices Fall Lower

Another weak Class III performance was experienced on Monday following last week's downturn in price.

Milk Markets End Rough Week on a Low Note
Milk Markets End Rough Week on a Low Note

Milk markets closed a very rough week in similar fashion on Friday.

DMC Delivers its First Strong Payment of 2024
DMC Delivers its First Strong Payment of 2024

Milk protected at the $9.50 level will receive indemnity payments of $761.56 for each one million pounds enrolled.

Will Class IV Prices Actually Be Higher Than Class III This Year?
Will Class IV Prices Actually Be Higher Than Class III This Year?

There is great optimism that butter prices will be higher than cheese prices this year.

Milk Prices See Little Recovery: Weaker Supply Balanced by Slower Demand
Milk Prices See Little Recovery: Weaker Supply Balanced by Slower Demand

While the calendar flipped to 2024 weeks ago, there has been little change in dairy market sentiment since the beginning of this year. Globally, the industry continues to walk a tightrope of limited ‘new’ milk.

Milk Prices Slowly Inch Forward
Milk Prices Slowly Inch Forward

Class IV markets continue to be supported globally.

2024 Milk Production Forecast Reduced, All-Milk Price Looks More Encouraging
2024 Milk Production Forecast Reduced, All-Milk Price Looks More Encouraging

Recently, the USDA lowered its milk production forecast for 2024 due to lower expected output per cow, which is partly offset by higher cow inventories.

Class IV Prices Push Over the $20 Mark
Class IV Prices Push Over the $20 Mark

Milk markets continue to widen the Class IV/III spread as Class IV holds over $20 for 2024 calendar and Class III milk bounces around.

Replacement Heifer Supply Continues to Tighten, Prices See Explosive Growth
Replacement Heifer Supply Continues to Tighten, Prices See Explosive Growth

Heifers are not as abundant as they had been with prices increasing significantly. Dairy cattle slaughter has slowed with farms showing more interest in purchasing cows to keep stalls full while fewer go to slaughter.

5 Financial Expert Tips to Help Producers During Tough Times
5 Financial Expert Tips to Help Producers During Tough Times

Dairy producers realize that good times don’t last forever. While producers are hoping good times circle again, until then, keeping a close eye on your financials will help you weather the financial storm.

Milk Markets Finally See Some Excitement
Milk Markets Finally See Some Excitement

Futures values ended up rallying 40 cents in the February contract while March and April were up 50+ cents.

Idaho’s Dairy Growth Has Been Dampened by Economics
Idaho’s Dairy Growth Has Been Dampened by Economics

According to Idaho Dairymen’s Association for the first time in a long time, production growth will likely come to a halt due to the financial stress and the negative margins producers out west are experiencing.

Butter Drives Milk Markets Higher
Butter Drives Milk Markets Higher

Butter drove the dairy markets higher Thursday with the CME spot trade gaining 11 cents to finish at $2.68 3/4.

Will Dairy Producers Fill the $7 Billion Processing Gap?
Will Dairy Producers Fill the $7 Billion Processing Gap?

Michael Dykes, CEO of IDFA shared at the 2024 International Dairy Forum in Phoenix that our industry has a growth mindset The big-ticket question is whether today’s producers can help fill the milk production need.

6 On-Farm Priorities to Help Drive Success This Year
6 On-Farm Priorities to Help Drive Success This Year

With the start of the new year comes the setting of resolutions for personal habits, behaviors and practices. Dairies can and should do the same for their operations. Here are six places to start.

Class III Markets Look Bearish, Class IV Holds Steady
Class III Markets Look Bearish, Class IV Holds Steady

February Class III futures dropped to $15.68 per hundredweight, losing 21 cents. 

Production Remains Strong Despite Fewer Cows, Just Take a Look
Production Remains Strong Despite Fewer Cows, Just Take a Look

Producers want to know: “Why is milk production remaining high even with lower milk prices and farms going out of business?”

Milk Markets Hold Steady
Milk Markets Hold Steady

Spot product markets were mainly unchanged to start the week on Monday.

Class III Markets Continue to Disappoint
Class III Markets Continue to Disappoint

Class III and Class IV milk markets gave up some ground today. But how much?

Class III Milk Still Struggles to Find Momentum Higher
Class III Milk Still Struggles to Find Momentum Higher

As much of the U.S. digs out of snow and bitter cold weather, the milk markets were mixed and continue sideways.

The Truth Behind Wisconsin Losing 455 Dairy Farms
The Truth Behind Wisconsin Losing 455 Dairy Farms

Ask any dairy farmer how they feel about today’s markets and they will say that the economics don’t add up. This is true in any state, but certainly being highlighted in Wisconsin, as last year they lost 455 dairy farms.

Dairy Farmers Could Face Another Year of Disturbingly Low Milk Prices
Dairy Farmers Could Face Another Year of Disturbingly Low Milk Prices

The hope is that depressed milk prices will be short lived. However, without a significant increase in demand or tighter milk supply or both, low prices may be with us for a longer duration.

High Plains Dairy Conference Set March 5-6 in Amarillo
High Plains Dairy Conference Set March 5-6 in Amarillo

The High Plains Dairy Conference will be March 5-6 in Amarillo, Texas. The conference will explore alternative revenue streams, the future of exports and much more.

Heifer Supply and Global Dairy Demand Remain Flat Heading into 2024
Heifer Supply and Global Dairy Demand Remain Flat Heading into 2024

Dairy replacement heifer trade has been light nationwide. Similarly, global dairy trade has been on the decline. Will the trend continue as we head into 2024?

Dairy Producers Face Tightest Margins on Record
Dairy Producers Face Tightest Margins on Record

While we have flipped the calendar to a New Year, we didn’t necessarily say goodbye to low milk prices. 2023 was a tough year financially for dairy producers and 2024 isn’t off to a great start either.

World Milk Production Begins New Year Weak
World Milk Production Begins New Year Weak

Faltering global demand could offset milk production losses.

Minnesota Lost More Than 50 Dairy Farms in November
Minnesota Lost More Than 50 Dairy Farms in November

Minnesota ended 2023 with 146 fewer dairy farm permits than the state did at the beginning of the year. The big-ticket question is with dairy’s razor-thin financial margins, how many more dairies will exit in 2024?

Danone to Sell U.S. Organic Dairy Units to PE Firm Platinum Equity
Danone to Sell U.S. Organic Dairy Units to PE Firm Platinum Equity

French food group Danone said on Tuesday it had signed an agreement to sell its premium organic dairy units in the United States to investment firm Platinum Equity.

Are Milk Prices Ready to Rebound?
Are Milk Prices Ready to Rebound?

Just how low will milk prices go? Slower exports, weaker demand and global inflation have all been an anchor on the potential for higher dairy product prices. Will we finally start to see some relief in 2024?

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Producers Await Dairy Margin Coverage Sign up for the 2024 Calendar

Producers are hoping for stronger milk prices next year. First quarter milk price looks less than promising - causing producers to turn to plan B which is hoping DMC payouts generate a healthy sum in the year ahead.

Milk Prices Continue to Fall Ahead of Holidays
Milk Prices Continue to Fall Ahead of Holidays

Dairy markets continued their descent on Monday following another day of weak cheese performance on the CME spot dairy auction. 

Mexico’s Dairy Demand to Grow in 2024
Mexico’s Dairy Demand to Grow in 2024

A growing population and an increase in consumer purchasing power in Mexico will support U.S. exports

The Grinch Gets Ahold of Butter Prices, Milk Prices Find Some Strength
The Grinch Gets Ahold of Butter Prices, Milk Prices Find Some Strength

CME product markets on Monday tilted to the negative side to kick off the week.

Milk Price Predictions End on a Low Note for 2023, Dramatically Lower than Last Year
Milk Price Predictions End on a Low Note for 2023, Dramatically Lower than Last Year

In its December World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, the USDA once again lowered its milk production and price forecasts for 2023.

Milk Prices Remain Flat Ahead of the Holidays
Milk Prices Remain Flat Ahead of the Holidays

Dairy markets on Monday put forth a relatively uneventful trade.

Are Prices Ready to Turn Higher?
Are Prices Ready to Turn Higher?

With sufficient supply and much of the holiday buying being finished, there is little reason for buyers to be aggressive. The usual slower demand period is just around the corner.

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Whey Market Appears to be Tightening

Demand for high-protein whey products appear to be lifting the whey complex.

Milk Prices Struggle Ahead of the Holidays
Milk Prices Struggle Ahead of the Holidays

Ahead of Monday afternoon’s USDA Milk Production report, Class III milk futures struggled once again. 

Mooney and Mulhern Celebrate Unity at the 2023 Joint Annual Dairy Meetings
Mooney and Mulhern Celebrate Unity at the 2023 Joint Annual Dairy Meetings

Last week in Orlando, Fla., NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney spoke about the ongoing challenges dairy farmers face, including the razor-thin operating. Still, Mooney spoke about why he remains optimistic about dairy's future.

Class III Prices Take a Major Hit on the Chin
Class III Prices Take a Major Hit on the Chin

Class III milk futures took it on the chin Thursday and gave up early in the week gains. 

USDA Bumps Up 2024 Price Predictions, Lowers Milk Production Forecast for 2023
USDA Bumps Up 2024 Price Predictions, Lowers Milk Production Forecast for 2023

Lower milk production was forecasted for both 2023 and 2024. What could that spell for dairy prices?

Butter Prices: What Goes Up, Must Come Down
Butter Prices: What Goes Up, Must Come Down

Price movement in butter over the past 2 1/2 months has been a sight to behold.

Dairy Thought-Leaders Address Challenges and Risk Management Tools
Dairy Thought-Leaders Address Challenges and Risk Management Tools

Recently on a Farm Journal Milk Business webinar, three dairy thought leaders talked about the biggest challenges facing producers and what their takes are on risk management strategies. 

What’s Driving Component Levels on the Farm?
What’s Driving Component Levels on the Farm?

What is motivating the increased levels of components on U.S. dairies? Jim Salfer, dairy extension educator at the University of Minnesota, says the answer at the farm level is multifaceted.