The USDA National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) Agricultural Prices report, released July 31, established June’s Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program calculations. The all-milk price faltered 20 cents, with a continued rise in production but the value of components finding alignment between demand and global prices. Feed costs also fell and to a much larger degree, which boosted this month’s DMC margin to $10.88 per hundredweight (cwt). A peek at June DMC Prices for ma

With the U.S. dairy herd continuing to expand, it follows that more cows are available for normal herd turnover, resulting in higher culling totals than a year ago. June dairy cow slaughter increased from both the previous month and the same month a year ago, reflecting the larger overall herd. Even with more cows marketed for slaughter, the pace of culling remains generally in line with herd expansion. Based on the latest USDA monthly Livestock Slaughter data released on Jul

Check out the Sterling Marketing Profit Tracker for week of July 25. Short-term market dynamics continued to change last week. The Comprehensive Beef Cutout averaged $369.77/cwt., down from $375.01/cwt. a week earlier. At the same time, the 5-Area Choice Steer price averaged $230.47/cwt. and down sharply from the prior week’s average of $238.50/cwt. Consequently, feeding margins fell into negative territory averaging -$12.75/head. Packers gained ground with margins still in t