Dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in January lowest since 2010.

Fourteen states including Texas, Idaho, New York and South Dakota boosted milk production a combined 306 million pounds in January.

In dairy-related news this third week of February 2025: Arizona finds new HPAI genotype through milk testing, AFBF reported farmers lost $20.3 billion to weather disasters in 2024, and DFA and Promised Land Dairy launch new milk products.

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.