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 revised the February 2024 milk production estimate slightly lower. With the revisions, both U.S. and major state U.S. production were down about 0.1% from USDA’s preliminary estimates a month earlier.

Here is the news affecting dairies as we enter April 2024.

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.

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.

2023 annual milk production was down 98 million pounds compared to the 2022 total. However, annual total milk production has increased 9.9% from 2014.

Monthly U.S. milk production was lower than the year earlier in December 2023, extending the decline to six consecutive months.

The preliminary estimate of overall November U.S. milk production compared to a year earlier was down by 104 million pounds (0.6%).

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

Here’s an update on economic factors impacting your dairy finances as November 2023 comes to a close.