News  Agriculture  Livestock

AFBF Economist Outlines Dairy Herd Management Trends

AFBF Economist Danny Munch shares a closer look at the dairy market and the forces impacting producers today.

January 29, 2026 02:52 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick

LITTLE RIVER, S.C. (RFD NEWS) — Milk prices are declining as dairy supplies continue to build both in the United States and globally. As producers respond to those market conditions, many are increasingly relying on beef-on-dairy breeding strategies to help manage margins, even as replacement numbers tighten.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to provide an update on the overall status of the U.S. dairy herd and explain the factors driving current herd management trends.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Munch discussed how producers are adapting to changing supply dynamics and economic pressures within the dairy sector. He also shared how herd management decisions are influencing U.S. milk prices and shaping dairy trade conditions moving forward.

Related Stories
eKINDxvU.jpg
May is National Beef Month!
Father-Daughter Team Continues Legacy at Kansas Cattle Operation
Triangle H received the 2022 Feedyard Commitment to Excellence Award from Certified Angus Beef, gaining national recognition for its cattle care and quality.
May 19, 2026 01:08 PM
 · 
Neal Burnette-Irwin
A couple sitting at home talking, having a conversation. People discuss domestic issues, arguments, and working out problems.
Firm to Farm
Firm to Farm: The QTIP Trust—Where Does it Fit into Farm Estate and Succession Planning?
Passing a farming operation to the next generation causes incredibly complex challenges, so estate planners often use the QTIP Trust, a powerful estate-planning tool, to bridge the gap.
May 19, 2026 12:00 PM
 · 
Roger A. McEowen
frozen funds usda money farm programs_Photo by ivandanru via Adobe Stock.jpg
Rural Money
Farm Debt Signals Show Pressure on Operating Loans
Operating debt remains manageable in many areas, but rising non-accrual loans show why careful cash-flow management matters in 2026.
May 19, 2026 11:30 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
A towboat, known as a pusher, pushes barges full of cargo up the Mississippi River near downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA_Photo by Matt Gush via Adobe Stock_828872155.jpg
Trade
Grain Rail Demand Rises While Barge Movement Slows
Strong rail and ocean demand support grain movement, but weak barge traffic and high diesel costs keep freight pressure elevated.
May 19, 2026 11:00 AM
 · 
Tony St. James
Load More

Dairy Cattle Beef-on-Dairy Business Planning
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

joshua-link_cattle_adobe-stock_FBI.jpg
News
FBI: Suspect in $220M Cattle Investment Fraud Arrested in California
A man accused of orchestrating a nationwide cattle investment fraud scheme has been arrested in California after being on the FBI’s wanted list.
March 12, 2026 11:33 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Cotton Plant. Cotton picker working in a large cotton field_Photo by MagioreStockStudio via Adobe Stock.jpg
Crops
Cotton Slips as Rising Fertilizer and Shipping Costs Challenge Farmers
ASFMRA’s Craig Thompson shares insights for American farmers who are navigating farmland markets amid agricultural uncertainty.
March 11, 2026 04:04 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
Barbara_Mazurek_02_22_15_USA_TX_Mazurek Ranch_027.jpg
Rural Health Matters
Rural Health Matters: Caregiving in Rural Areas
Dr. Jeffrey Gold provides insights on supporting aging populations in rural communities on this week’s Rural Health Matters segment.
March 11, 2026 03:43 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
green gas pump e15 biofuel_Photo by MemoryMan via AdobeStock_317445546.jpg
Washington Policy
Ohio Farm Bureau President: Rising Oil Prices Highlight Urgent Need for Ethanol Expansion
OHFB President Bill Patterson shares an update from Washington on the group’s policy priorities and the issues shaping agriculture ahead of the 2026 planting season.
March 11, 2026 03:34 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Cattle in drought conditions_photo by 169169 via Adobe Stock.png
Livestock
Cattle Markets Face Tight Supplies, Middle East Tensions, and Weather Risks
Ben Kurtzman with American Farmland Trust discusses the growing pressure on farmland and ranchland and the steps being taken to help conserve farms and ranches across the country ,as unrest in the Middle East adds more obstacles for producers.
March 11, 2026 03:18 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Aerial drone shot of distribution warehouses and data center logistics hub with truck cargo shipping import and export in Biggleswade England UK_Liam Carter via AdobeStock_1573070273.jpg
Rural Lifestyle
AI Data Center Boom Raises Power Supply Questions for Rural America
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson warns that rising electricity demand from AI and data centers could strain the grid and affect rural electric cooperatives if U.S. power infrastructure cannot keep up.
March 11, 2026 11:59 AM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More
Agriculture Shows
commodity-talk_scott_black-logo_1920x1080.jpg
mdr weekend_eliza_1920x1080.jpg
prairie prophets-share-image_logo.jpg
TopCrop_CombineWLogo_1920x1080.jpg
Commodity Talk
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
Market Day Report Weekend
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Prairie Prophets
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Top Crop
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.