Over the course of 2024, the dairy industry experienced some firsts and all-time highs. We continue to see dairy producers adopt new technologies and methods, while also focusing on the basics of good nutrition and animal care. Here, Progressive Dairy looks back at the top-viewed 25 articles from October 2023 to October 2024. We reached out to several of the subjects and authors to ask a follow-up question. Here are the responses we received.

In this two-part episode, hear from Dana Coale – deputy administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Program at the USDA – about the five areas of milk pricing included in the USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) final decision, and learn about the referendum process. Later in the episode, Alex Gambonini joins host Kimmi Devaney to discuss the impact these proposed amendments may have on milk prices. Dairy producers and cooperatives will have until Dec. 31, 2024, to cast their ballots.

The concept of using cameras to watch your dairy isn’t new, but with the arrival of artificial intelligence and significant players actively investing in the U.S. dairy industry, artificial intelligence (AI) systems are truly transforming the management of cows. New offerings create even more value for producers who have installed these systems.

Now is the time to identify your current health insurance plan and decide to either stick with the status quo or change benefit plans. If you’re fortunate to be happy with what you have, then a simple reenrollment works. If your operation has changed over the year – budget and payroll – you might need to reevaluate your offerings.

The purpose of this article is to increase your comfort level in performance discussions. There are two types of performance discussions. The first focuses on training and assigning new tasks and/or responsibilities. The second is providing feedback on the execution of those tasks and responsibilities. The focus of this article is the latter – feedback – although all but the first section applies to both.

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

Producers now have a valuable opportunity to secure higher revenue floors in an increasingly volatile market by enrolling in the Dairy Revenue Protection (Dairy-RP) program. The program is a great addition to a sound risk management strategy, allowing producers to give added focus on managing volatility beyond the commodity sector and unpredictable geopolitical, macroeconomic and other unforeseen risks.  

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) released their Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) final decision on Nov. 12, which will be voted on by dairy producers in a referendum before the end of the year. Ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 31.