Dairy prices in the United States are expected to trend lower this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest supply and demand outlook, even as exports of key dairy products remain competitive on the global market. In its most recent report, USDA said overall milk production is forecast to increase, driven largely by rising milk output per cow rather than herd expansion. The department also pointed to continued strength in fat-basis exports, supported by

With Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) enrollment now open for 2026, many dairy producers are asking the same question: Will the program actually pay out this year? Based on current market conditions, analysts say the answer is yes. Market Conditions Point to Early Payments Weak milk prices, along with growing milk production both in the U.S. and abroad, are putting pressure on dairy margins, making it likely that DMC payments will be triggered early this year and possibly continue

The dairy industry finds itself at a critical crossroads. With cheese hovering around $1.35 per pound and Class III milk barely topping $14 per hundredweight, the familiar “low prices cure low prices” cycle is in full swing, typically signaling a wave of supply liquidation. “Typically, that means some liquidation on the supply side,” says Phil Plourd, president of Ever.Ag Insights. “But the beef situation makes things really interesting. Will high beef prices make producers s