In dairy-related headlines this week: After declining for 14 years, fluid milk sales end 2024 higher; Rollins confirmed as secretary of agriculture; and HSUS changes its name.

Notable declines in both December and fourth-quarter year-over-year U.S. dairy export volumes at 1.9% and 5%, respectively, brought 2024 to a close. While falls in nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder (NFDM/SMP) were mostly to blame, there was still enough to celebrate in 2024 as export value rose to its second-highest value ever, and cheese exports in December posted their 12th consecutive year-over-year gain. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot look at dairy-related export categories.

In news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line as we begin February 2025: The USDA confirms second strain of HPAI found in dairy cattle, the GDT index takes a good leap, farmer sentiment remains optimistic despite trade uncertainty and more.

Announced on Feb. 5, January 2025 FMMO Class II and Class III milk prices were up, but Class I and Class IV milk class prices were down from December. January 2025 Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) pooling estimates, uniform prices and producer price differentials are scheduled to be released on Feb. 11-14.

Quarterly average prices in January hit a new all-time high of $2,660 per head according to estimates from the USDA.

On Feb. 1, President Donald Trump signed three executive orders imposing new tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China – the three biggest markets for U.S. agricultural commodities.

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its Agricultural Prices report Jan. 31, 2025, which includes feed costs used to calculate the December 2024 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program margins and indemnity payments. December’s margin came in at $13.38 per hundredweight (cwt), concluding a year of mostly confident margins for dairy producers.

Ten states including California, Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon reduced milk production a combined 317 million pounds in December.

The new year is taking shape with risk management policies offering enrollment for 2025 as the 2018 Farm Bill was granted a one-year extension, as well as the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) referendum passing with the new rule to take effect June 1.

Dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in December lowest since 2007.