December 2, 2025

• Milk production in the U.S. totaled 19.5 billion pounds in October, which was up 3.7% year-over-year, according to USDA’s Milk Production report. Production per cow averaged 2,033 pounds.

• The U.S. dairy herd experienced its first month-over-month decline in numbers for the year during October, dropping 6,000 head. With that said, the national dairy herd was up 28,000 head compared the same time last year.

• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head on November 1, according to USDA’s most recent Cattle on Feed report. Placements in feedlots during October were 2.04 million head, and marketings of fed cattle totaled 1.70 million head.

• Use these forage budget worksheets from the University of Missouri to plan for stand establishment and hay production in 2026.

• Mitigate the mud tax on your winter feed bill.