Dairy Feeling Price Pressures, But Producers Staying Cautiously Optimistic

Alan Bjerga, with the National Milk Producers Federation, joined us on Tuesday from Wisconsin with his Dairy Industry Outlook.

MADISON, Wis. (RFD-TV) — Dairy producers from across the globe are gathering for the annual World Dairy Expo, and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is on hand to share insights and connect with farmers.

Alan Bjerga from NMPF joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report ahead of the event to discuss why the organization participates in the Expo each year and what producers can expect to hear from their team.

In his conversation with RFD-TV News, Bjerga explained that NMPF’s presence at the Expo is about engaging directly with dairy farmers, showcasing policy priorities, and highlighting efforts to support the industry amid shifting market conditions.

He also previewed a special panel he is hosting—“Dairy Farming in the Age of President Trump”—which will examine how current trade, labor, and regulatory policies are shaping the dairy sector and what questions producers have for policymakers.

Looking ahead to the week’s discussions, Bjerga noted that while dairy farmers have faced ongoing price pressures and evolving export dynamics, a sense of cautious optimism remains. He expects producers to arrive eager for updates on market outlooks, farm policy, and new opportunities for growth.

Related Stories
Shrinking slaughter capacity may delay heifer retention, complicating herd rebuilding plans.
Securing Critical Water Resources for South Texas Agriculture
Smaller cow numbers and a declining calf crop point to prolonged tight cattle supplies, limiting near-term herd rebuilding potential.
Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, provides new updates on winter storm impacts and the outlook for rural power reliability.
Jessi Grote from the AgriSafe Network provides winter safety guidance for rural communities still recovering from the recent winter storm.
CattleCon 2026 officially kicks off Tuesday and continues through Thursday, bringing producers together to shape the future of the U.S. cattle industry.
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
The changing political climate in America is leading to a drop in migrant crossings near the U.S.-Mexico border, where ranchers like Dr. Mike Vickers say they witnessed horrors from death to child trafficking.

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:

Speaking about his administration’s tariff strategy, Trump acknowledged that producers could face financial strain in the short term but promised stopgap support.
Rising cow numbers and higher yields are boosting milk supplies, which may keep pressure on prices and farm margins into the fall.
As input costs continue to rise, diesel prices have held steady in recent weeks, according to energy analysts at GasBuddy.
U.S. soybean farmers are growing increasingly frustrated by Argentina’s gains in Chinese grain contracts and Trump’s pledge of economic support for the South American ally.
The USDA is moving to close the farm trade gap through promotion, missions, and stronger export financing.
Farm legal and taxation expert Roger McEowen explains the IRS’s shift to electronic payments and disbursements, and what it means for upcoming tax filings.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
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.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.