Lee Mielke

The second round of states coming on board was announced and included Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New York, Ohio, Vermont and Washington.

CoBank says “U.S. dairy exports are approaching record levels as consumer demand for dairy products in Mexico continues to outpace the country’s production. Mexico faces an annual dairy product deficit ranging between 25-30%, and the U.S. supplies over 80% of that shortfall.”

Meanwhile, CoBank says “U.S. dairy exports are approaching record levels as consumer demand for dairy products in Mexico continues to outpace the country's production. Mexico faces an annual dairy product deficit ranging between 25-30%, and the U.S. supplies over 80% of that shortfall.”

It was a shortened week with the markets being closed Wednesday for Christmas; and there wasn’t a lot for the markets to feed on in the way of reports from

The Agriculture Department announced the final Federal order Class III milk price of 2024 at $18.62 per hundredweight, down $1.33 from November, but $2.58 above December 2023. It’s the lowest Class III price since May and put the 2024 average at $18.89, up from $17.02 in 2023, and compares to $21.96 in 2022.

The Agriculture Department announced the final Federal order Class III milk price of 2024 at $18.62 per hundredweight, down $1.33 from November, but $2.58 above December 2023. It’s the lowest Class III price since May and put the 2024 average at $18.89, up from $17.02 in 2023, and compares to $21.96 in 2022.

“I think we’ve hit a pocket of weak demand with buyers pushing back at the higher price levels,” StoneX analyst Nate Donnay stated.

The USDA announced that 15 additional states have enrolled in the National Milk Testing Strategy for bird flu, bringing the total to 28. These 28 states represent nearly 65% of the nation's milk production. USDA is also sharing updates on its expedited work to support vaccine development for use in poultry and bovine species, as part of a multi-faceted effort to fight the spread of H5N1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture published its Federal Order Final Decision. All 11 orders approved the final changes. USDA said: “This final rule amends the 11 FMMOs with implementation on June 1, 2025, except for the amendments to skim milk composition factors, which have a later implementation date.”

In other global dairy news, Germany has confirmed its first case of foot-and-mouth disease, found in three water buffalo. It's the country's first outbreak in 40 years, according to HGD. “Although not a threat to humans, foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious virus that impacts cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.”