The year 2023 proved to be a challenging period for dairy farmers across the nation, marked by a substantial market decline from the high prices of the previous year. High feed costs further added to the difficulties, leading to margins reaching their lowest point since 2009. Despite this, Chuck Nicholson, UW-Madison Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences Professor says there’s hope for 2024.
“Cow numbers are decreasing and the amount of milk per cow is remaining stable,” explains Nicholson. “Despite stable milk production per cow, innovative feeding and breeding strategies led to an 11% increase in butterfat per cow. This unexpected rise in butterfat has positively influenced the marketplace heading into 2024.”
While the high prices of 2022 influenced global markets, 2023 saw a decline in the rolling average of US dairy exports. Despite this, projections for 2024 indicate a more positive trend. Especially for major dairy products like dry whey, skim milk powder, non-fat dry milk, butter, and cheese. The US is positioned favorably compared to global competitors in these markets.
January 29, 2024
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