Sudden loss of appetite; decreased milk production; thicker, concentrated, colostrumlike milk; a drop in rumen motility; abnormal tacky or loose feces; and fever are clinical signs reported thus far of an unidentified illness affecting dairy cows in the Southwest. Cases of this contagious illness were first reported several weeks ago in Texas.

Year-over-year U.S. milk production was up 2.2% in the February USDA report. However, with February 2024 containing an extra day due to “leap year,” the adjusted number is closer to -1.1% on a daily basis.

Here’s an update on economic factors impacting your dairy’s financial picture.

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

Here is a quick look at dairy-related news from last week.

January U.S. dairy export values revealed a listless start to 2024. But it is not all pessimism, as shredded cheese continues to bring encouragement to the marketplace. Here’s Progressive Dairy’s 30,000-foot look at dairy-related export categories.

Agricultural stakeholders are applauding a ruling made March 6 by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Late on Friday, March 8, and hours before the deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown, the Senate passed the bill for a $460 billion spending package that includes funding for six federal agencies by a vote of 75-22. The bill, which was passed by the House with a vote of 339-85 earlier in the week, was then signed by President Joe Biden on Saturday.

The USDA’s World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report identifies milk and feed factors potentially impacting dairy producer income in the year ahead.

Walmart announced it plans to open its third owned-and-operated milk processing facility in central Texas in 2026. The new facility, to be located in Robinson, Texas, between Dallas and Austin, will create nearly 400 new jobs in the community.