Milk - General
Millions in U.S. dairy products will be purchased by USDA to supply food banks and federal nutrition programs.
High beef prices and genomic breakthroughs are rewriting the dairy playbook, keeping the U.S. milking herd at record levels as producers prioritize beef-on-dairy calves and high-component milk.
DFA’s $46 million USDA grant empowers small farms to lead in conservation, lowering barriers to sustainable practices and connecting producers to premium, emerging market opportunities for a resilient future.
Dairy producers keeping older cows while breeding for the beef market.
Kansas is witnessing explosive dairy growth as new processing infrastructure and structural advantages pull producers away from traditional hubs like California toward the Sunflower State.
Agropur’s $130 million Midwest expansion capitalizes on South Dakota’s production surge and Wisconsin’s whey capacity, positioning the co-op to lead the global market for high-value dairy proteins.
The High Plains Dairy Conference returns to Amarillo in March 2026, offering producers critical insights into global markets, labor tech and biosecurity to navigate a high-stakes industry.
With milk checks tight, dairy farmers are finding relief in the high-dollar value of beef-on-dairy calves.
In an industry where water is becoming as precious as milk and data is as vital as feed, the successful producer of 2026 and beyond will be the one who balances today’s “black calf” revenue with the existential necessity of long-term resource management.
As Western cattle migrate to the Upper Midwest, the 2026 market is defined by a massive regional processing boom and a relentless focus on the high-value beef-on-dairy “black calf” premium.
The U.S. and Argentina have finalized a trade agreement that modifies tariff rates, sets a cheese quota and addresses regulatory requirements for certain U.S. dairy exports.
Whether in a blue or a red state, the message to Washington is the same: the U.S. dairy and agricultural sectors cannot remain globally competitive while their workforce remains in the shadows.
From NFL training camps to the 365-day dairy grind, discover why elite discipline, calloused hands and “no offseason” are the shared requirements for both professional athletes and producers.
Panic buying ahead of winter storms collided with surprisingly tight inventories to send butter prices on a late-January rollercoaster.
Cornell University’s Daryl Nydam explores balancing short-term beef-on-dairy profits with the three-year investment of replacement heifers to ensure long-term herd efficiency and sustainable management flexibility.
Driven by a double-digit sales surge, AMPI is converting its Blair plant into a premier cottage cheese facility, betting on the “superfood” renaissance to lead the industry’s high-protein future.
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While West Coast milk production slows, Idaho’s dairy industry is surging 7.5%. Learn how vertical integration and beef-on-dairy are driving the state’s massive production surge.
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While milk checks feel like 2016 deja vu, costs for about everything have soared. Dairy farmers are steadfast, trying to find new ways to turn a stagnant check into a sustainable future.
If December was a warning, the projections for the first half of 2026 are a siren. The latest price predictions updated on Jan. 30 suggest a sharp economic turn is underway.
Trevor DeVries reveals robotic milking boosts farmer quality of life. Explore the link between automation, mental health and reciprocal welfare in modern dairy farming.
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The outlook for 2026 is one of cautious optimism anchored by structural evolution. The U.S. dairy industry is no longer just a milk business; it is a component and beef business supported by high-tech processing and sophisticated risk management tools.
Learn how the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda and grocery inflation are reshaping voter sentiment and dairy policy ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Pizza remains a major driver of cheese demand, but slower restaurant growth and increased competition suggest the U.S. market has matured.
The dairy industry is resilient, determined and entering its best years yet. Michael Dykes is calling on farmers, processors and suppliers to rise as the leaders the next generation requires.
The equation is changing: high-value beef, record components and $11 billion in new plants are redefining the milk check. Curtis Bosma explains how modern producers stay profitable in a volatile market.
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With their recent accolade of being named the 2026 IDFA’s Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award winner, the Waddell family showcases what it truly means to be modern dairy producers.
Last week, with the stroke of a pen, President Trump increased milk options available to students in schools across the country. Will this change the demand picture for the dairy market, or is it all hype?
USDA is awarding more than $11 million to support small and midsized dairy businesses through the Dairy Business Innovation program.
A federal audit wiped out Drumgoon Dairy’s staff, exposing agriculture’s labor crisis. This South Dakota farm’s labor struggle highlights the urgent need for immigration reform to sustain the U.S. food supply.
A $155,000 partnership investment will expand milk dispenser grants to more Virginia K–12 schools in 2026, helping reduce cafeteria waste while increasing student milk consumption.