News

More milk, slightly better prices in 2019

USDA economists say dairy farmers could see slight improvements in their milk check and a growing milk supply this year.

The USDA expects milk prices to improve a dollar per hundredweight in 2019 and the milk supply to be up nearly one and a half percent because of genetic and management improvements.

Dry whey prices should see the most strength because of improving international prices.

Cull cow prices are forecast down from 2018 as more animals head to slaughter.  Prices have been trending lower since 2016.

USDA says retaliatory tariffs and trade agreements between U.S. partners and competitors should hamper exports which are forecast down nearly three percent.

These projections were made at the USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum.