USDA Reports
At risk of sounding like a broken record, milk production and the growing number of cows weigh heavily on dairy markets. However, global demand could be facing its own set of challenges.
Strong beef prices are pushing milk production higher, but what happens when the bubble bursts?
USDA’s annual report reveals the smallest total herd since 1951, with beef cow numbers falling to 27.6 million despite a slight uptick in replacement heifers.
Protein is driving growth in dairy, with yogurt, cottage cheese and even high-protein ice cream gaining popularity.
Dairy markets are in limbo post-holidays, grappling with limited USDA data.
The October Milk Production report had a surprising change from the September report released earlier this month. Cow numbers declined a shocking 7,000 head. The first time we have seen a pull back in cow numbers since December 2024.
Details are minimal so it’s not clear how there will be enough staff to provide the Milk Production, Crop Production, Cattle on Feed and WASDE reports with many still furloughed.
The department says it will relocate more than half of its Washington, D.C., staff to five hubs around the country, as well as consolidate or eliminate regional offices.
U.S. milk production climbed 1.5% in April, marking the strongest year-over-year increase since 2022, fueled by larger herds and modest gains in cow productivity.
Butter makers have sopped up much of the additional cream as other high-fat dairy products stumble to keep pace.
Producers could face weaker prices as rising supplies outpace demand and weigh on dairy markets.
USDA’s latest crop progress report puts the country at 24% of corn and 18% of soybeans in the ground. Farmers are sharing timely rains and great conditions to start the season.
A handful of rain-free days were a perfect recipe for spring planting — and farmers took full advantage of the opportunity. This week’s USDA crop progress report puts corn and soybean acres just ahead of last year’s pace.
USDA’s March Prospective Plantings report estimates U.S. farmers will plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2025, 83.5 million acres of soybeans and 45.4 million acres of wheat.
Not only is USDA releasing its first survey-based acreage report of the year, but it’s the week President Trump is set to unleash reciprocal tariffs. Market analysts warn it could be an explosive week in the markets, and farmers should prepare.
U.S. milk production is not off to a record-setting start now that 2025 is underway.
With native cattle numbers still under pressure, beef-on-dairy crossbreds are providing the industry with a critical supply of cattle.
USDA’s annual Cattle Inventory Report released Friday shows the U.S. total cattle inventory shrunk another 1% over the past year, with the number of beef cows also down 1%.
Milk production in the 24 major states continued its downward trend in December, totaling 18.0 billion lbs., a 0.4% decline from the previous year.
Dairy producers are starting the year off with margin pressure following the latest round of USDA reports.
The latest USDA American Farms and Ranches at a Glance report offers insights to how row crop growers are making a go of it financially in 2025.
Milk production forecasts for 2024 and 2025 have been reduced due to lower cow inventories and slower output growth per cow, according to the latest WASDE report.
The USDA released their ten-year baseline projections showing growth in all categories.
Milk production in the 24 major dairy-producing states saw a slight rise in September, totaling 17.5 billion lbs.
The USDA lowered its milk production forecast for 2024 based on a slight decrease in growth for milk production per cow.
USDA’s final look at crop production for 2023 caught the commodity markets by surprise. The agency increased the final yield estimates for both corn and soybeans, and as a result, prices plummeted on Friday.