Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Association News

Labor Laws Are Tightening—Here’s What Dairy Employers Need to Know

California dairy employers are facing increased scrutiny, higher penalties, and more lawsuits tied to labor compliance. In a recent WUD webinar—now available as a podcast—experts break down key changes on minimum wage, overtime, leave laws, record keeping, employee notices, and why paying employees hourly is often the safest option. The message is clear: outdated practices and poor documentation can put your operation at serious risk. This episode focuses on practical steps you can take now to protect your dairy.

Listen to the Podcast

Please Vote by January 12: WUD Board Election Ending Soon

Voting is underway for the 2026 Western United Dairies Board of Directors election, and we ask all members to take a moment to participate. You should have already received your paper ballot, and we encourage you to return it as soon as possible—or you may vote online instead.

Please remember that all ballots must be signed to be counted, and members may vote only once. Voting closes January 12, 2026, so if you haven’t voted yet, now is the time.

Vote Digitally

State News

CDFA Lifts Statewide Ban on Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions

The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced on December 19, 2025, that it has lifted the statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows, effective immediately. The ban had been in place due to concerns over H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. According to CDFA, expanded surveillance, improved understanding of virus transmission, and stronger mitigation measures have reduced the risk enough to allow exhibitions to resume. CDFA continues to urge fair organizers and exhibitors to maintain strong biosecurity practices and keep sick animals off exhibition grounds.

Learn More

UC ANR Hiring Nutrient Management and Forage Advisor

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources is accepting applications for a UC Cooperative Extension Nutrient Management and Forage Systems Advisor serving Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Merced counties. The position will support forage production and nutrient management issues important to dairy and livestock operations.

Read the Full Press Release Here

MARKET UPDATE

US milk output reached 18.8 billion pounds in November, up 4.5% on the year and in line with predictions. That’s the largest yearly increase since May 2021. California logged the biggest gain, up 10.4% versus a weak 2024 and +1.6% compared to 2023.

The dairy herd totaled 9.570 million head in November, unchanged on the month, but up 211,000 cows year-over-year. A historically large dairy herd will likely keep milk flows strong in the months ahead.

The CME block market remains in the mid-$1.30s, a level last seen in June 2023. Trading volume has been heavy. For the full year 2025, a record 1,326 lots changed hands. Barrels are unchanged at $1.4000 per pound, with no trades since early December.

Spot butter continues to search for direction within a narrow range. While the spot price climbed to the mid-$1.40s at the end of the year, it ran into resistance and dropped to the mid-$1.30s in early January.

USDA’s November Cold Storage report was neutral for butter and cheese. Stocks declined as expected, so the news didn’t have any impact on market prices.

Prices rose for the first time in weeks at the latest GlobalDairyTrade event. Whole milk powder jumped 7.8% to $1.55 per pound and skim milk powder advanced 5.5% to $1.16 per pound.

After the jump at the GDT, CME nonfat dry milk climbed close to $1.20 per pound.

US corn export sales are far ahead of the five-year average pace. It’s the opposite story for soybeans, with sales well behind the historical average. Nearby corn and soybean prices tumbled hard in the last week of the year, only for corn to rebound to the $4.40s and soybeans to the $10.40s.

There will be no November DMC payments, according to USDA figures.

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