Audrey Schmitz

USDA projections highlight increased milk production

Milk production forecasts for 2024 are raised from last month on higher milk cow numbers.

December 11, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

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

Challenge for a cure

Challenge Butter and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer team up for the holidays.

December 4, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

This holiday season, Challenge Butter is proud to partner with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer to support its mission of improving treatments for pediatric cancer.

Cheese and butter consumption hits all-time high in 2023

USDA data show American dairy per capita consumption across products consistently increasing each year, with 2023 up 3% over the past five years, 9% over the past 15 years and 16% over the past 30 years.

December 3, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

In the past decade alone, domestic per-capita consumption of cheese is up 19% and per-capita butter consumption is up 18.1%.

2024 Year in Review: HPAI, FMMO, margin recovery and dairy cattle inventories

December 3, 2024

Karen Lee, Kimmi Devaney, Jenn Coyne, and Audrey Schmitz

As we close the books on 2024, Progressive Dairy’s editorial team identified four trending topics that made headlines throughout the year. Read on as we recap highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detected in dairy cattle, Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) modernization efforts, increasing dairy margins and declining dairy cattle inventories.

October summary on dairy cows culled for beef

November 25, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

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

Hansen Dairy’s 'A Very Dairy Christmas' event brings farm fun to the holidays

November 25, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

Hansen Dairy’s "A Very Dairy Christmas" is a holiday event like no other, offering families a unique blend of festive cheer and farm life. Set in a cozy winter wonderland on Hansen’s dairy farm, this event goes beyond the typical holiday experience.

Milk production slightly higher than year ago for third consecutive month

October U.S. milk production was up slightly from September and up about 0.2% from USDA’s estimates a year earlier.

November 21, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

Thirteen states including Texas, Idaho and South Dakota boosted milk production a combined 258 million pounds in October.

Retired Vermont dairy farmer writes children’s Christmas book

November 21, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

The Christmas Calf by George Woodard captures the essence of a true holiday miracle through the perspective of a 9-year-old farm boy. On a cold Christmas Eve, this young boy's curiosity and care lead him to the barn, where a cow is expected to give birth. In the quiet, snowy night, he experiences the wonder and mystery of new life, illuminated by the magic of the season. Woodard’s storytelling transports readers to this heartwarming moment, making The Christmas Calf a memorable tale for all ages.