March/April dairy margin is $7.15, triggering payments

March/April dairy margin is $7.15, triggering payments

The United States Department of Agriculture released its

April Agricultural Prices report

May 31, which in turn allowed USDA to calculate and report

Dairy Margin Protection Program

(MPP) numbers.

The result: The average dairy margin for March and April was $7.15, triggering payments for producers who signed up for coverage levels of $7.50 and $8/cwt.

The April All-Milk price was $15/cwt and feed costs were pegged at $8.17/cwt of milk produced. That resulted in a milk/feed margin of $6.83. In March, the All-Milk price was $15.30, feed costs were $7.83/cwt and the milk/feed margin was $7.47.

No margin payments were triggered in January or February, when the margin came in at $8.01.

Testimony by Randy Mooney, a dairy farmer from Rogersville, Mo., and chairman of the National Milk Producer Federation, points out that budget cutting measures during the 2012 farm bill debate reduced the number of dairy farmers receiving benefits under Dairy MPP. At current feed prices, feed costs are being reduced about 80¢/cwt, which is actually increasing the milk/feed margin by that amount and triggering the program far less often.

In April, California again led the nation in low milk prices, coming in at $$13.63/cwt. But Michigan, with its milk surplus, wasn't far behind at $14/cwt. Wisconsin's all-milk price was $15.60; Florida, $18.50.

 

Latest News

What Should You Financially Consider Before Investing in Technology?
What Should You Financially Consider Before Investing in Technology?

With financial challenges facing dairy farms, Curtis Gerrits with Compeer Financial, says it is essential for producers to evaluate how these technology investments impact their farm’s overall financial position.

Fairlife Forms New Partnership with Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky
Fairlife Forms New Partnership with Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky

The Katie Ledecky partnership with fairlife's Core Power will leverage her authentic recovery moments to help educate and inspire athletes of all levels around the importance of post-workout recovery.

Simple Breathing Exercises for Farmers to Help with Anxiety and Stress
Simple Breathing Exercises for Farmers to Help with Anxiety and Stress

More and more people in the dairy community are struggling because they are overworked or overstressed, have trouble concentrating, feel fatigued, have trouble sleeping, have more headaches and so many other symptoms. 

Properly Prepared Beef Remains Safe; Meat Institute Calls For Guidance to Protect Workers at Beef Facilities
Properly Prepared Beef Remains Safe; Meat Institute Calls For Guidance to Protect Workers at Beef Facilities

The Meat Institute said properly prepared beef remains safe to eat and called for USDA and the CDC to provide worker safety guidance specific to beef processors to ensure workers are protected from infection.

 A Message to the Ag Industry about H5N1
A Message to the Ag Industry about H5N1

The livestock industry needs a comprehensive, cohesive plan to address the virus. Producers, their employees and veterinarians need clear answers and support from U.S. agricultural leadership, moving forward.

USDA Now Requiring Mandatory Testing and Reporting of HPAI in Dairy Cattle as New Data Suggests Virus Outbreak is More Widespread
USDA Now Requiring Mandatory Testing and Reporting of HPAI in Dairy Cattle as New Data Suggests Virus Outbreak is More Widespread

USDA is now ordering all dairy cattle must be tested prior to interstate travel as a way to help stop the spread of HPAI H5N1. This comes a day after FDA confirmed virus genetic material was found in retail milk samples.