Here’s an update on interest rates from quarter four of 2023 and quarter one of 2024 as reported by four Federal Reserve districts that share data impacting dairy finances.

The USDA revised the March 2024 milk production estimate slightly higher. With the revisions, both U.S. and major state U.S. production were up about 0.4% from USDA’s preliminary estimates a month earlier.

Here a few news items summarized for you to start the third week of May.

Dairy has not escaped the influencing trend – in fact, it’s been the focus of a nutrition beat. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt boast a healthy portion of protein (25 grams and 17 grams per cup, respectively) prompting health-conscious consumers to create unique recipes incorporating the dairy products.

Dairy producers in non-major dairy states will notice a change to how their Dairy-Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) insurance coverage is determined.

Here’s Progressive Dairy’s monthly review of April 2024 FMMO data to provide some additional transparency to your milk check.

In recently released news, the USDA offers funding for producers affected by influenza A (H5N1), dairies that dissolved in early 2024 are eligible for Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment, farmer sentiment declines, and announcements from dairy processors and cooperatives.

The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report offers forecasts for dairy, beef and feedstuffs.