The dairy industry is wrapping up 2025 in a unique position. Milk production is up and prices are down, but balance sheets are holding together thanks to the price of cattle. That conversation permeated the halls around the 2025 Milk Business Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. With roughly 1 million cows represented at the conference, attendees are keenly focused on 2026 and beyond. “I think margin pressure is going to be there,” says Grant Grinstead, who dairies near Fon Du Lac,

The last post covered the growth in milk production. The growth in milk production over five years is 2.4% (see this post). The cow count for the U.S. has grown by just .5% over the same 5 years. This post will cover in detail the monthly growth in milk per cow. Most states have increased milk per cow, and a few have lower milk per cow. All data in this post is based on 12-month moving averages to avoid annual cycles. Chart I below shows the growth in milk per cow for th

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Dairy product markets softened in October as U.S. prices for butter, cheese, and most powders weakened sharply compared to last year. Butter fell nearly $1 per pound, Cheddar dropped by 50 cents, and 40-pound blocks fell more than 40 cents, reflecting both ample domestic availability and slower product movement. These price declines come even as some value-added dairy exports continue to grow impressively. June–August dairy export data reveal major