The U.S. dairy industry is growing, providing ample opportunity for producers. The $76 billion category is larger than any other, including alcohol.
However, CoBank economist Corey Geiger warns that the growth does not come without some challenges.
“Sixteen to 17% of our dairy products go to export in the United States,” Geiger explains. “So with the word ‘tariff’ coming about...you know, issues in that area, we might see a little bit of slowed sales. The upward trajectory in the dairy industry is strong, and actually, in 2024, milk beverage sales, fluid milk, were actually stable. So, if we can stabilize that category and see great growth in cheese, butter, and whey proteins—it’s a bright future.”
While those tariff concerns have been held off for a month, the market is still facing unprecedented volatility.
“We were looking at a little more supportive to that market just a couple of weeks ago, but the unprecedented volatility in the cheese market and demand being about a half a percent slower, and then the perception on what tariffs could do really kind of knocked the support out under that market,” notes JSA Dairy Division Lead Robin Schmahl. “And so, we might be looking at something a little bit less as far as an average price than what we were looking at maybe about three weeks ago.”
The USDA’s latest milk production estimates show that in December, milk in the 24 major producing states totaled 18 billion pounds.
Dalton Henry, with U.S. Wheat Associates, joined RFD-TV to provide insight on what the pending trade frameworks may mean for American wheat growers.
November 19, 2025 04:11 PM
·
A massive rail merger could significantly impact North American agriculture and trade flows.
November 19, 2025 12:46 PM
·
Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.
November 19, 2025 12:31 PM
·
Cattle and hog supplies continue to tighten while dairy output expands, creating a split outlook in which red-meat prices soften and milk values come under pressure from larger supplies.
November 18, 2025 03:02 PM
·
Hunter Biram, an extension economist with the University of Arkansas, is tracking Mississippi River water levels as grain shippers shift their focus to transportation following the wrap-up of fall harvest.
November 18, 2025 01:24 PM
·
Firm live cow prices and shifting dairy-side culling suggest cull cow values may stay stronger than usual this winter despite weaker cow beef cutout trends.
November 18, 2025 01:02 PM
·
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities shares an update on post-WASDE grain movement, with corn leading export momentum, soybeans steady, and wheat and sorghum continuing to move selectively.
November 18, 2025 12:20 PM
·
New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
November 18, 2025 11:56 AM
·
China still has a long way to go before it meets its commitment to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this year.
November 18, 2025 11:23 AM
·
