Protecting Your Profits

Send us Fan MailHealthy cows are about biology. Healthy farms are about economics. You need both. In this month’s “Protecting Your Profits" discussion, hear expert insight on biological vs. economic health from Dr. Joe Bender, Associate Professor of Clinical Dairy Production Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania – New Bolton Center.Biological health refers to the physical health of your cows, including freedom from disease, longevity, and comfort. Economic health centers around the cow’s financial viability, productivity, and cost efficiency of your herd.  It’s easy to pick out a biologically unhealthy cow – you’ll often see physical signs like lameness, sickness or thinness. Economically unhealthy cows, on the other hand, are harder to find. Dr. Bender shares:How to balance both sides of the biological and economic health equation (the cow level and the business level).How ratios demonstrate the economic health of your farm.How to move items from the liability side of the equation to the asset side.Practical ways to balance strong milk production with strong economic health, so you have the right formula to make a good product and take good care of your cows and employees.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week. 

Send a textIn this February installment of the "Protecting Your Profits" miniseries, Dairy Report Rundown, we were joined by Dr. Jim Lawhead with Penn State Extension, to talk through the January 2026 Lancaster DHIA data. Dr. Lawhead provided his insights into the trends in the data, as well as what the numbers can tell us about the health of Pennsylvania's dairies. He also offered advice on how dairy producers can use their 202 reports to make informed on-farm decisions.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textHow can you go from surviving to thriving when it comes to your farm’s financials? How do you navigate economic downturns with your current funds while still finding a way to plan for the future? In this month's "Protecting Your Profits" discussion, Ava Hasbrook, a Business Coach from Legacy Farmer, shared how dairy farmers can evaluate and forecast their long-term stability with their current funds and discussed how to plan for the future now versus later. She also offered insight into measuring long-term strength, surviving economic downturns, and investing in your farm’s viability 10 years from now.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textWith the release of the 2025 Pennsylvania Dairy Producer Survey results, we took some time to dive into the data and break down the trends, challenges and opportunities from the survey results — and discuss what this means for the state of Pennsylvania dairy. During our November “Protecting Your Profits” discussion,  Jayne Sebright and Valerie Mason-Faith from the Center for Dairy Excellence, and Ginger Fenton from Penn State Extension, shared interesting findings and takeaways from the survey results.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this October installment of the "Protecting Your Profits" miniseries, Dairy Report Rundown, we were joined by Andy McCarty, with Land O' Lakes, to talk through the most recent World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and export reports. Andy provided insight into global feed and dairy market trends and what that means for domestic prices and demand. He also offered clarity on risk management programs affected by the government shutdown. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textCattle markets continue to set new record highs, creating some interesting opportunities for dairy farms. Whether dairy producers are selling beef on dairy cross calves, benefitting from higher cull cow values, or all of the above, it’s an important time to learn about how beef and dairy markets are becoming more intertwined – and how dairy farmers can manage against downside price risk.In this month's "Protecting Your Profits" webinar, Bryce Windecker and Kathleen Wolfley from Ever.Ag discussed current beef market dynamics – from tariffs on Brazilian beef to ground beef demand and everything in between. Plus, they walked through strategies for how dairy producers can manage downside cattle price risk.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this August installment of the "Protecting Your Profits" miniseries, Dairy Report Rundown, we were joined by Dr. Joe Bender, DVM, with the University of Pennsylvania to talk through the most recent USDA Crop Progress report. Dr. Bender provided his take on how this season's crops are shaping up so far compared to prior years. He also offered some advice on best practices on how dairies can maximize quality and reduce losses in feed and forage inventories. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this month's "Protecting Your Profits" webinar, Dr. Jody Kull from Penn State University shared how dairy farmers can use their farm's specific protocols not just as a once-a-year way to check a box, but how to develop them to prepare for anything that might happen throughout the year. She explained how dairy farmers can use these protocols to mitigate on-farm risks and seasonal concerns such as mastitis, pneumonia and metabolic issues. She also shared real-life examples from farms who have developed their own protocols to successfully treat and navigate illnesses within their herds.During the webinar, Dr. Kull covered how dairy farmers can use their protocols, how to identify clinical signs of illnesses, what monitoring looks like on the farm, and how to address concerns, illnesses, and diseases before they happen. Listen now!To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this June installment of the "Protecting Your Profits" miniseries, Dairy Report Rundown, we were joined by Dr. Brian Reed, DVM, MBA, to talk through the May 2025 Pennsylvania DHIA report. Dr. Reed offered his insight on significant and surprising trends in Pennsylvania's herd performance and reproductive health. He also provided advice and guidance on how individual farms can use their DHIA reports to improve their profitability and make informed decisions.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this month's "Protecting Your Profits" discussion, Jacob Thompson and Andy McCarty, two experienced dairy business advisors from Land O’Lakes, were back to simplify the process of understanding your farm’s break-evens. They found a way to make a complex topic very conversational and resourceful, whether you're managing your farm's financials or helping your dairy clients know their numbers. Jake and Andy share how to discover your farm’s break-even price and, in turn, determine your Class III/IV break-evens so you can implement a sound risk management plan for your dairy operation. Listen now!To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this April installment of the "Protecting Your Profits" minisode series, Dairy Report Rundown, Rob Goodling with Horizon Farm Credit joined us to discuss recent dairy price reports. He provided valuable insight into the current prices, influencing internal and external factors, and what dairy farmers can do to protect their bottom-line. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this month's "Protecting Your Profits" discussion, Michael Sherman, Outreach Specialist and Beginning Farmer/Veteran State Coordinator for the USDA Farm Service Agency in PA, shared what dairy farmers need to know about the Dairy Margin Coverage program and how to enroll. Dairy farmers have until March 31, 2025 to enroll in the DMC Program for 2025. During the webinar, Michael offered his perspective on several important questions from producers: With the current margin forecasts showing no payments for program year 2025, why should dairy farmers still enroll?What are some common mistakes or misconceptions farmers should avoid when enrolling?Are there any other FSA programs farmers can sign up for or should be aware of?To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this February installment of the new "Protecting Your Profits" minisode series, Dairy Report Rundown, Zach Myers, Director of Member Services with Maola Dairies, sat down with us to discuss the December 2024 Dairy Products report. He covered key points, how the data measured up to expectations, and notable influencing factors. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this first installment of the new "Protecting Your Profits" minisode series, Dairy Report Rundown, Nicole Colgren, Sales Director with Total Farm Marketing, sat down with us to talk through the December 2024 USDA Milk Production and Cold Storage reports. She covered the significance of the reports, key takeaways, external influencing factors, and what she believes the future holds for the dairy industry. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this month's "Protecting Your Profits" webinar, Kathleen Noble Wolfley and Colin Kadis from Ever.Ag projected the trends and opportunities that might be on the horizon for the dairy marketplace in 2025. They talked about milk supply expectations – both U.S. and global – new cheese capacity, importance of exports, dairy market outlook and domestic demand forecasts, "headline” risks, and ways to manage risk in this ever-shifting marketplace.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textMarkets change and they don’t care about what you think they should look like – or what you might need for your cost of production. Are you setting yourself up for long-term success by capturing opportunities before they’re too late? Are you adapting to changing feed and dairy markets to guide your approach to risk management on your dairy farm?   In this month’s free “Protecting Your Profits” webinar, hear from Jacob Thompson and Andy McCarty, two experienced dairy business advisors. They will share how to control what you can through a solid risk management plan, no matter the level of volatility or uncertainty in the markets. As we approach the end of the calendar year, they will dive into the four main risk management products available to dairy producers who want to protect their revenue stream: Forward Contracting, Livestock Gross Margin, Dairy Margin Coverage, and Dairy Revenue Protection. Each program has different tiers, levels, and decisions that make it possible to tailor a plan that’s unique to your dairy operation.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this month's "Protecting Your Profits" discussion, Rob Goodling from Horizon Farm Credit breaks down 17 benchmarks that are part of the PA Dairy Performance Indicators project. From year to year, these benchmarks help us compare individual dairy operations to how the top dairies in the data set are performing financially. Rob shares an overview of the 2023 data and a comprehensive snapshot of herd performance across various sizes and production types – revealing distinct patterns in milk production, costs, and financial outcomes.Find out where Pennsylvania stands in terms of herd performance, financial performance and more. Rob also examines how herds participating in both years of the Performance Indicators Project compare to the group averages and shared some of the variation between herd size groups. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textWhat daily responsibilities on the farm have the highest risk? The answer might surprise you. From animal handling and manure application to horizontal silos and working with heavy machinery, dairy farmers are exposed to a large amount of risk on a daily basis. According to 2019 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the agricultural sector is the most dangerous in America. While most dairy farmers accept the risk involved in the profession and enjoy working with their hands, farm safety should still be a top priority on dairy operations to help protect families and employees. As we approach the fall harvest season, Dr. Florence Becot from Penn State University shares the top three farm safety risks – and how we can be proactive with simple precautions that could save a life. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn this month's episode, Kathleen Noble Wolfley and Bryce Windecker from Ever.Ag explored market factors that are influencing feed price and shared strategies to help farmers mitigate feed price risk. They gave an update on key feed commodity markets, including corn, soybean meal, canola and cottonseed. They also shared a deep dive into basis trends in the Northeast and ways for livestock producers to manage feed risk.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIf you’ve been wondering about the changes released in the FARM 5.0 Program and how they impact dairy producers, Beverly Hampton Phifer, Senior Director of Animal Care from the National Dairy FARM Program, joined us to talk through key changes and updates. From animal care standards to best practices for human resources, farm safety and overall workforce development, Beverly Hampton Phifer gave a detailed overview of some of these standards and how they can be part of producers’ day-to-day risk management strategies. With new versions (Version 5.0) of the Animal Care and Workforce Development Programs just released on July 1, 2024, she reviewed some of the key updates and how they impact dairy producers — including updates focused on refining and clarifying previous standards surrounding euthanasia, fitness for transport, calf management, and continuing education among others.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our June "Protecting Your Profits" discussion, facilitated by Valerie Mason-Faith, Risk Education Manager at the Center, we featured Kathleen Noble Wolfley and Colin Kadis from Ever.Ag. They provide an overview of April’s Pennsylvania Scorecard numbers, Class III and Class IV prices and futures, milk production dynamics, domestic demand, dairy exports, macro markets, and Dairy Revenue Protection. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textWe held a special "Protecting Your Profits" webinar in March. Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Center, led the webinar and invited Cynthia Walters, Agricultural Program Specialist with the USDA, to provide an overview of changes in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program for 2024. With the Farm Bill extended through December, DMC enrollment is now open, with dairy farmers having until April 29 to enroll in the margin-based insurance coverage program. Jayne Sebright also shared a short recap on where dairy markets are and what factors could influence the margins going forward in 2024.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textWe hosted a special edition of our monthly “Protecting Your Profits” webinar to kick off a new year.  Rob Goodling from Horizon Farm Credit shared 17 performance indicators that have been gathered and analyzed by the Center, Penn State Extension, and Horizon Farm Credit as part of a joint project. A total of 220 herds of various sizes make up the data set in the findings that Goodling will share in the webinar. Ranging from herd performance metrics to financial performance metrics, the performance indicators can help Pennsylvania dairy farm families and the industry representatives who support them to compare their individual dairy performance against the “state” average.Sebright also shared updates on dairy markets and market factors influencing dairy in early 2024.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textDecember is a great time for planning, reflection, and looking at those controllables in your milk price . The Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright hosted the November “Protecting Your Profits” webinar. She shares her perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textThe Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright invited Zach Myers, who now serves as Director of Member Services for Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, back to the October “Protecting Your Profits” webinar. He shares his perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin this fall.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textThe Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright invited Jacob Thompson, who serves as a Dairy Business Advisor for Land O’Lakes, back to the September “Protecting Your Profits” webinar. He shares his perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin right now.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our August “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, The Center’s Executive Director Jayne Sebright invited Jacob Thompson, who serves as a Dairy Business Advisor for Land O’Lakes, to share his perspective on milk markets, supply factors, and what risk management programs are offering in terms of margin right now. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textWe invited Dr. Hayley Springer of Penn State Extension to our monthly "Protecting Your Profits" webinar. The recent challenges the poultry industry has faced with HPAI is a stark reminder that all aspects of animal agriculture should take steps to prepare for outbreaks of high-consequence animal diseases. Dr. Springer shares how the dairy industry can begin to prepare for a potential outbreak and the value this preparation can have in the face of a biosecurity crisis.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our June “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also shared updates on dairy exports and provided news on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) programs.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our May “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies as we head into the summer months. He also shared updates on dairy exports and provided news on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) programs.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textWe invited Dr. Chris Wolf, E.V. Baker Professor of Agricultural Economics at Cornell University, to our monthly "Protecting Your Profits" podcast for an insightful conversation about where we are in the Federal Milk Market Order Reform process. The International Dairy Foods Association has submitted a formal request for updating the ‘make allowances,’ while the National Milk Producers Association is in the process of submitting a request for a more comprehensive reform package. Dr. Wolf helps us understand what the proposed changes could mean for the nation’s dairy farmers. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our March “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies as we head into spring. He also shared updates on dairy exports and provided news on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) programs.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our February “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also shared updates on dairy exports and provided news on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) programs.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn a special edition of our monthly “Protecting Your Profits” webinar, Rob Goodling, agricultural business consultant with Horizon Farm Credit, provides an overview of dairy markets in 2022 and his thoughts on the market outlook heading into 2023. Led by Zach Myers, Risk Education Manager at the Center, they also review current data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our December “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach Myers closes the year by reviewing the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies heading into the new year. He also provides an update on recent Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) announcements, including the extension to enroll in the 2023 year to January 31. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our November “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data, looked at trends, and shared updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also shared important reminders about enrolling in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for 2023. Zach also announced some new resources the Center created, including a "Risk Management Conversations" video series with PA dairy farmers, which can be found at www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/risk-management.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our October “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data, looked at trends, and shared updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also shared a recent announcement about 2023 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) enrollment as well as Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) updates.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our September “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies heading into the fall. He also shared updates on dairy exports and provided news on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) programs.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our August “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies heading into the fall. He also shared updates on dairy exports, which have been experiencing record highs, and provided news on Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) programs.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our July “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Jayne Sebright reviews the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace and welcomed Beverly Hampton Phifer, Director of Animal Care from the National FARM Program. Beverly provided an update on FARM 4.0 and shared what farms can expect from the new version of FARM. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our June "Protecting Your Profits" podcast, Zach gives insight to dairy market updates as summer begins. He also provides updates on risk management opportunities for farms everywhere. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our May “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies heading into the summer months. He also provided an update on recent Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) announcements and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) program news.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our April “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace and welcomed Sam Miller, Managing Director of Agriculture Banking at BMO Harris Bank, to discuss increasing interest rates, inflation, and how these could impact dairy producers and the industry as a whole.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our March “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviewed the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He shared interesting statistics and final dairy numbers from 2021, including the top 10 dairy states and comparisons between U.S. and PA cow numbers. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our February “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach gave a deep dive into dairy export numbers and discussed domestic and international demand. He also provided an update on recent Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) announcements and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) program news.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our January “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviews the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace and welcomed Dr. Christopher Wolf, Professor of Agricultural Economics at Cornell University, to provide a 2022 dairy market outlook. He shared predictions on what he thinks the key market drivers will be throughout this year!To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our December “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach ends the year by reviewing the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also provides an update on recent Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) announcements and changes to help producers prepare for dairy markets in the new year.To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our November “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviews the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also provides an update on DMC margins, Dairy Revenue Protection projections, and the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program relief payments. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our October “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviews the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace and welcomed Phil Plourd, President of Blimling and Associates, as a special guest. Phil broke down the current dairy market situation and shared what he thinks producers can expect heading into the new year. He discussed continued volatility, forward pricing, feed cost relief, domestic demand, fluid milk sales, and more!To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.

Send a textIn our September “Protecting Your Profits” podcast, Zach reviews the latest data and updates about the milk marketplace to guide decision-making and risk management strategies. He also provides an update on the USDA Pandemic Market Volatility Program and its timeline for providing COVID-19 relief to dairy farmers. To receive weekly dairy market updates via email each week, click here to subscribe and get the updates sent to you at no cost each week.