Industry News

Producer price differentials (PPDs) continue their slow climb out of the historically negative depths of 2020, but their complete ascension may still be a ways off.

The USDA raised the 2021 milk production forecast but said increased domestic and international demand will help improve the outlook for prices.

U.S. agricultural exporters overcame some of the impediments that plagued them in recent months, helping create a resurgence of foreign sales in February.

February 2021 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program indemnity payments topped $130 million, based on weekly USDA updates on payments and enrollment. With payments estimated at $92.6 million for January milk marketings, indemnity payments for the first two months of 2021 have now hit $222.64 million.

Digest Highlights

• New Holstein ‘lifetime’ milk record tops 460,700 pounds
• FARM Program to resume on-farm evaluations this fall
• Global Dairy Trade index up slightly
• Ag Economy Barometer turns more positive
• Things you might have missed

Every summer, photos and videos of cute calves, Jerseys with their tongues out and tall glasses of milk cover social media feeds as we celebrate June Dairy Month. Farm tours, ice cream parties and other events promoting dairy will also be hosted (many virtually, this year). As farms, companies, organizations and stores share their love of dairy, we hope to have positive conversations with the public about dairy farming, animal welfare, nutrition and sustainability, but we must also prepare for the negative attention we will undoubtedly receive from animal welfare activists.