Division of Extension
On March 11, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opened a Section 301 investigation into sixteen of the country’s largest trading partners. Although dairy is not a primary target of the investigation, the response from foreign governments may still impact the industry.
Initially introduced as a campaign to offset production surplus and seasonal economic strains, June Dairy Month has broadened well beyond its original purpose to celebrate dairy products, producers, nutrition and more.
This article describes how LGM-Dairy works, what it covers, how the premium and subsidy are structured, and the key rule changes that take effect for the 2026 and succeeding crop years.
In Wisconsin, interpretation of the milk check matters because most of the state’s milk supply is used to make manufactured dairy products, and is priced under multiple component pricing in the Upper Midwest Federal Milk Marketing Order.
Through the first quarter of 2026, Class III and Class IV milk prices diverged substantially. This article walks through the mechanical source of that divergence.
This article explains what an FMMO is, the two core mechanisms that define the system, how minimum formula prices are built, how orders are amended, and who is and is not covered.
This article summarizes the rules and regulatory requirements governing how commodity price assumptions are established and used in farm operating plans and cash-flow budgets for FSA Farm Loan Programs.
This article provides a structured, evidence-based assessment of the regulatory, legal, public health, and market context surrounding raw (unpasteurized) cow’s milk in the United States.
Producers are examining price ratios to determine relative profitability and observe early warning signs between alternatives as they finalize planting intentions. One of the price ratios that generates much attention is the soybean-corn price. If the ratio is greater than 2.5, it is more profitable to produce soybeans. This article examines the national and Wisconsin soybean-corn […]
This article provides an overview of the Dairy Margin Coverage program for the 2026 coverage year, with emphasis on program changes implemented for this year and what past margin history implies for risk management decisions.
The session and discuss how Dairy Margin Coverage can be used as an effective risk management tool.
A glass of milk and a cookie may feel like a small gesture, but when repeated across millions of homes nationwide, this familiar Christmas Eve tradition quietly represents weeks—even months—of milk production.
MCO offers protection against unexpected drops in operating margins — the difference between revenue and input cost. Interested producers should contact their crop insurance agent to learn more about how MCO could work for their operation.
This article presents current conditions in the U.S. dairy sector as of June 2025, drawing on insights from market sentiment and recent information.
This article examines the evolving dynamics of the U.S.–Canada dairy trade relationship in the first quarter of 2025, with a focus on recent policy developments, economic implications, and political considerations.
On April 21, 2025, the U.S. FDA suspended its proficiency testing program for Grade “A” milk and milk products. The halt has raised questions about potential regulatory oversight gaps, state readiness, and shifts in milk safety governance.
Milk in Wisconsin undergoes rigorous testing at every step – from on-farm to finished dairy products. Some tests are required by regulations, while others are voluntary quality checks.
The dairy market is changing—For dairy farmers, this means focusing on efficiency, using tools like better genetics, feed, and technology to produce more with less.
