Market Outlook

See the latest Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook report.

Report Summary

Dairy: Milk production forecasts for 2024 and 2025 have been revised upward, driven by an expected increase in the number of dairy cows, partially offset by slower growth in milk yield per cow. Domestic dairy use is projected to increase for the remainder of 2024 and throughout 2025. Lower expected cheese prices, more than offsetting higher dry whey prices, have led to a decrease in the 2024 Class III milk price forecast to $18.90 per hundredweight (cwt). Unchanged NDM prices and lower butter prices have kept the 2024 Class IV milk price forecast unchanged at $20.75 per cwt. Consequently, the 2024 all-milk price forecast has been lowered to $22.65 per cwt. Adjusted 2025 price forecasts include: Cheddar cheese $1.800 (-9.5 cents), NDM $1.300 (+4.0 cents), dry whey $0.595 (+7.5 cents), and butter $2.685 (-7.0 cents). These price adjustments have led to a decrease in the 2025 Class III milk price forecast to $18.80 per cwt and an increase in the 2025 Class IV milk price forecast to $20.40 per cwt. The 2025 all-milk price forecast has been lowered to $22.55 per cwt.