The U.S. dairy industry stands to lose billions of dollars over the next two decades if trade agreements with Japan, one of the biggest buyers, don’t materialize.

Will producers pace themselves or grow production at an unbridled pace?

The U.S. and Canada met to continue negotiations around the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and it appears Canada is ready to give concessions on access to its dairy market.

Testing of pooled milk samples could provide an efficient tool for foot and mouth disease (FMD) screening, and for facilitating movement of milk supplies during an FMD outbreak.

The benchmark is called the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management, or FARM Animal Care Program developed by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) with support from Dairy Management Inc.

Dairy producers have grown accustomed to downturns in the marketplace. This time feels worse than others.