31 October 2025

Headlines

• U.S. Dairy Celebrates Market Access Advances in Southeast Asia
• 3 Tips to Get Ahead of Low Milk Prices in 2026
• Lawmakers Weigh in as Skinny Farm Bill Faces Hurdles
• Chancellor Sonny Perdue Inducted into the National Agriculture Hall of Fame
• MAHA and Dairy: How Milk Fits into the Movement
• Marketing Cull Dairy Cattle: How to Integrate Welfare and Economics into Decision Making
• Federal Migrant Worker Program Proves Fickle, Agriculture Workers and Employers Want Change
• Dairy Trade: The Good and the Ugly
• Milk’s Got Game: Powering Athletes from the Fridge to the Field 
• Government Shutdown Halts USDA Milk Data, Delaying Dairy Risk Calculations
• Farm Groups Call for Careful Renewal of USMCA
• U.S Grocers Brace for Sales Dip as Food Aid Set to Lapse
• Genetic Advancements in Dairy Helping Meet the Protein Craze

GMP Bulk Milk Dispensers Commitment in Action

As you may have seen last week in The Dairy Alliance's weekly newsletter, the first bulk milk dispensers purchased through GMP's $200,000 commitment were installed last week. Bartow County Schools has installed milk dispensers in all seven middle and high schools in the county, funded by Georgia dairy farmers through this initiative. The Dairy Alliance’s Will McWhirter, Youth Wellness Manager, hosted a staff training on loading and cleaning the dispensers for cafeteria staff in the county. Bartow County is the first school district in Georgia to place dispensers in multiple schools and is the very first district to place dispensers in middle schools. Thank you to The Dairy Alliance, our Georgia dairy farmers, and Bartow County Schools for working together to provide delicious and nutritious ice-cold milk to students!

Pictured: The Dairy Alliance's Audri Crews and Will McWhirter and GMP's Bryce Trotter and Adam Graft at the Georgia School Nutrition Association's Back to School Expo.

Pictured: Will McWhirter hosting trainer for loading and cleaning bulk milk dispensers.

Submit Your Nominations for the 2026 Bobby Walker Award

Georgia Milk Producers is taking nominations for the 2026 "Bobby Walker Award." Each year, the Georgia Milk Producers Board of Directors presents the award to a dairy professional, farmer, and/or company that is driving Georgia's dairy industry toward a brighter future through leadership, advocacy, and service. The award presentation will take place at the 2026 Georgia Dairy Conference in January.  This award is open to any individual who is involved with the dairy industry (Cooperative officials/field representatives, feed/ supply companies or salesperson, veterinarian, farmer, etc.). Please send in nominations for this award to our office by November 10th, 2025 by using this link or emailing info@gamilk.org.

National Milk Producers Federation Dairy Market Report

The following is from the National Milk Producers Federation's monthly Dairy Market Report. To read the full report with market analysis and production data, click here.

U.S. milk production grew by 3.6% annually during the June-August period, while total milkfat production increased by 5.3% as the average component composition of producer milk continues to increase. U.S. fluid milk sales were 1.7% lower than a year earlier during the same 3-month period. 

U.S. average milk prices rose moderately in August from a month earlier to $20.90/cwt, while feed costs declined, resulting in a $0.58/cwt higher DMC margin for August of $11.52/cwt. Retail price inflation rose again in September as overall consumer prices increased by 3% from a year earlier. Dairy continued to resist inflationary pressures, with its average retail prices increasing by 0.7% from a year earlier versus 3% for all food and beverages. 

One Month Left of Early Bird Registration: Secure Your Spot for the 2026 Georgia Dairy Conference

USDA Market Administrator Report Bulletin

The following is from the USDA Market Administrator's Monthly Newsletter (formerly called the Market Bulletin). To read the full report with price and utilization reports, click here.

September Statistical Uniform Price

The September 2025 statistical uniform price for the Appalachian Marketing Area was announced at $22.29 per hundredweight at the base zone of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, the pricing point for FO 5. The September 2025 statistical uniform price for the Florida Marketing Area was announced at $23.28 per hundredweight at the base zone of Hillsborough County, Florida, the pricing point for FO 6. The September 2025 statistical uniform price for the Southeast Marketing Area was announced at $22.72 per hundredweight at the base zone of Fulton County, Georgia, the pricing point for FO 7.

In September, the Appalachian Marketing Area reported 312.3 million pounds of Class I producer milk, representing 77.49% of total producer receipts. In-area Class I route disposition totaled 257.0 million pounds in FO 5. The Florida Marketing Area had 168.8 million pounds of Class I producer milk, accounting for 80.90% of receipts. Total in-area Class I route disposition was 207.2 million pounds. The Southeast Marketing Area reported 210.1 million pounds of Class I producer milk, or 79.77% of receipts. FO 7 in-area Class I route disposition totaled 300.3 million pounds. The consistently high Class I utilization across these areas highlights the region’s continued reliance on fluid milk sales as a key driver of the market.

GMP Classifieds

Want to showcase your business to dairy producers and industry professionals across the Southeast and US? Email info@gamilk.org to learn more about how you can advertise in the GMP E-News.

Calendar of Events

November 7 - Georgia Agribusiness Council Harvest Celebration

The Classic Center - Athens, GA

November 12-13 - 59th Dairy Production Roadshow

Okeechobee, FL (Nov. 12) Tifton, GA (Nov. 13) - Register here

December 7-9 - Georgia Farm Bureau Convention

Jekyll Island Conference Center - Jekyll Island, GA

January 19-21 - Georgia Dairy Conference

Marriott Savannah Riverfront Hotel - Savannah, GA

Until Next Time,

GMP