Industry News

The USDA’s August World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report raised the milk production forecast for 2020, while scaling back the large jump in milk prices projected last month. However, the feed outlook should also translate into lower costs.

Digest Highlights

• School uncertainty likely to extend retail dairy sales trends
• Fiscal year 2021 milk donation program application period opened
• USDA gearing up for 2021 cheese purchases
• USDA buys nonfat dry milk, seeks fluid milk bids
• USDA announces changes to CRP emergency haying and grazing provisions
• Saputo merges U.S. cheese, dairy foods divisions
• FARM Program animal welfare standards receive ISO recognition
• August update: California QIP

USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a number of updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), including an extension of the sign-up period and a timeline for the final payment installment.

You’re busy milking cows, watching dairy markets and trying to figure out if your office will be a school classroom for the kids this fall.

Despite a highly disrupted trade environment, June capped a six-month period that saw U.S. dairy product exports post double-digit growth. On the other hand, exports of hay dipped to a five-month low, while exports of dairy replacement heifers fell to the lowest level in more than four years.

There apparently has been an update in the decade-long saga of the DairyAmerica milk powder lawsuit. Meanwhile, about 26,000 U.S. dairy farmers are waiting for approximately $26 million in settlement agreement payments.