The Latest: June - 2025
Milk Flows Again as Herds Grow
The heifer shortage and avian influenza reined in U.S. milk output in 2024, fostering lofty milk and dairy product prices in the second half of last year. But after nearly two years of low cull rates and sheer grit, the parlors are full, and so are the milk tanks. In the first 24 weeks of 2025, dairy cow slaughter was 7.7% behind the 2024 pace and 15.6% slower than historic average cull rates. Dairy producers added 122,000 cows over the past 11 months. From coast to coast, but especially in the center of the country, producers are looking to expand their facilities and add significantly more cows over the next 18 months.
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Soaring temperatures in much of the country and unusually humid conditions in the Southwest added up to a lot of stress. National average milk yields fell short of year-ago levels, an exceptionally rare occurrence.
View reportAccording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. just suffered its hottest summer ever. Soaring temperatures weighed on milk yields and tightened supplies as heat stress accumulated late in the summer and into September.
View reportThe Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction kicked things off with bang and all products gained significant ground. Cheesemakers are running at their usual pace, as long as they can find the staff to do so and demand remains healthy.
View reportCME spot butter jumped 9ȼ this week. July butter production fell 0.8% short of the frantic pace of July 2020, but was still historically high. There is plenty of butter socked away to last through the fall and holiday baking season.
View reportHeat, humidity, and smoke are sapping milk yields around the nation. Higher Class I sales from coast to coast, coupled with sweltering temperatures, has tightened milk supplies noticeably. Meanwhile, students are back in school and all are eligible for free lunches with a carton of milk on the side.
View reportThere is an abundance of milk in both the United States and Europe, but momentum is slowing. The combination of summer temperatures and back-to-school demand has tightened milk supplies noticeably.
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