Improved demand boosts dairy market forecast – Sioux County News
Dairy markets are on the rise, thanks to an increase in demand. According to Naomi Blohm from Total Farm Marketing, milk production caused futures prices to drop at the end of 2024. However, recent weeks have brought better news with improved domestic and export demand for dairy products.
Inland waterways in the U.S. are facing low river levels as a key concern for 2025. This issue is expected to persist throughout the year, affecting transportation and logistics for various industries.
The spread of avian influenza, specifically the H5N1 strain, has seen a recent uptick. A specialist in animal diseases attributes this increase to the mild winter weather conditions, allowing for easier transmission among bird populations.
When it comes to the agricultural land market in 2025, there is room for optimism. The real estate operations VP at Farmers National Company (FNC) highlights positive indicators for the ag sector, suggesting potential growth and stability in the land market.
Despite concerns around avian influenza, Kansas has yet to report any new positive cases in dairy herds. Veterinarians suggest that rigorous testing of raw milk has helped in detecting and preventing the spread of H5N1 among dairy cows in the state.
As farmers gear up for the new year, it’s essential to explore different crop insurance options. Risk management specialists like Francie Tolle from USDA recommend farmers educate themselves about the various insurance policies available to protect their crops and livelihood.
In the latest update on grain and livestock futures, we saw a dip in prices. Corn closed at $4.54, soybeans at $9.94 and 1/2, and soybean meal down slightly. The downward trend is attributed to profit-taking and technical selling, with the market keeping an eye on weather-related crop losses in Argentina.
Broiler hatchery numbers continue to show a fast pace in 2025, mirroring the trends at the end of 2024. The USDA reports that over 248 million eggs were put into hatcheries in the latest data, indicating strong activity in the poultry sector.
December brought warm and dry weather to Wisconsin, with temperatures almost 5 degrees above normal. Despite the lack of precipitation, farmers and residents in the state are hopeful for a prosperous start to the new year.
