Dairy Industry News Roundup: Week of January 24-30, 2026

# Dairy Industry News Roundup: Week of January 24-30, 2026 Welcome to your weekly dairy industry briefing! This week brought the IDFA Dairy Forum with a rallying cry to unite the industry, historic news as H5N1 was detected in a European dairy cow for the first time, and continued momentum in global dairy trade. Here are the top stories from January 24 through January 30. **Heading to World Ag Expo?** The Therio team will be in Tulare, CA from February 10-12. [Schedule time to meet with us](https://calendly.com/therio) or email us at [info@therio.ai](mailto:info@therio.ai). --- ## From the Therio Team This Week ## 1. Dairy Industry Positioned to Win as Protein Demand Hits Record Levels American consumers are embracing protein like never before, and the dairy industry stands uniquely positioned to capitalize. According to a new CoBank Knowledge Exchange report, 70% of consumers are now actively seeking more protein in their diets, up from 59% in 2022. Speaking at the IDFA Dairy Forum in Palm Desert this week, Michael Dykes, IDFA president and CEO, called this "a new era for dairy." The updated 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines have boosted recommended protein intake from 0.8 grams to 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, providing significant tailwinds for dairy products. The ready-to-drink dairy shake category has grown 71% over four years, jumping from $4.7 billion to $8.1 billion. Meanwhile, four of the top 10 protein products by unit sales growth were dairy products, including cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt. *Read more:* [Dairy Industry Positioned to Win as Consumer Protein Demand Reaches Record Levels](/news/dairy-industry-protein-demand-record-levels-2026) --- ## Other Industry News ## 2. IDFA Dairy Forum Rallies Industry Under "United for Dairy" Theme More than 1,200 dairy executives gathered at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California this week for the 2026 IDFA Dairy Forum, held January 25-28. **Key highlights from the event:** **Michael Dykes' opening address** framed 2025 as one of the greatest years in American dairy history, with per capita consumption reaching 651 pounds per person. Retail dairy topped all food categories at $80 billion, while exports surged to $9 billion despite geopolitical volatility. **Five priorities for the future** were outlined under the theme "United to Win": - **Reclaim the health halo** by positioning dairy as the original functional food - **Secure new markets** with focus on Southeast Asia and Indonesia - **Maximize efficiency with technology**, from AI-powered smart collars to robotic milkers - **Invest in people and community** through workforce development programs - **Protect the freedom to operate** with a unified policy voice **Market outlook sessions** featured CoBank lead dairy economist Corey Geiger moderating discussions on processing investment trends, global milk supply dynamics, and the impact of trade and workforce policies. Keynote speakers included former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Farmer Mac president Brad Nordholm. *Read more:* [IDFA Dairy Forum](https://www.idfa.org/events/dairy-forum-2026) --- ## 3. H5N1 Detected in European Dairy Cow for First Time In a significant development for global animal health, the Netherlands announced on January 23 that antibodies against H5N1 avian influenza were detected in a dairy cow, the first such finding in European cattle. **Key details:** - The cow was on a dairy farm in Friesland province where two cats had fallen ill with HPAI H5N1 in December - The cow had experienced mastitis and respiratory problems in December but had recovered by the time of testing - No active virus was detected; findings indicate a previous infection - As of January 30, five cows on the farm have tested positive for antibodies - There is no evidence of spread within or between farms **Response measures:** - The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority collected blood and milk samples from all cattle on the farm - People on the farm and the veterinarian are being tested by health authorities - Bulk milk tested negative by PCR Prior to this detection, European food safety authorities had assessed the risk of H5N1 introduction from U.S. dairy cattle as "highly unlikely." This finding represents the first confirmed evidence of H5N1 exposure in European dairy cattle. *Read more:* [FluTrackers Coverage](https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/europe/h5n1-tracking/netherlands/) --- ## 4. Global Dairy Trade Prices Continue 2026 Rally The second Global Dairy Trade auction of 2026 held January 20 extended the market's new year momentum, with the GDT Price Index rising 1.5%. **January 20 auction results:** | Product | Price (USD/MT) | Change | |---------|----------------|--------| | Whole Milk Powder | $3,449 | +1.0% | | Skim Milk Powder | $2,615 | +2.2% | | Butter | $5,314 | +2.1% | | Anhydrous Milk Fat | $6,191 | +3.0% | | Cheddar | — | -1.4% | | Mozzarella | — | -2.3% | The weighted average price reached $3,615 per metric ton with 27,821 MT sold to 114 winning bidders. **Market context:** - This follows the January 6 auction where prices jumped 6.3%, the first increase in 10 auctions - Fats and powders continue leading gains while cheese products softened - Lower offer volumes from New Zealand and reduced U.S. powder production (down approximately 10% year-over-year) are supporting prices - Fonterra's 2025/26 milk price forecast sits at NZ$8.50-9.50/kgMS The next GDT auction is scheduled for February 3, 2026. *Read more:* [Global Dairy Trade Results](https://www.globaldairytrade.info/en/product-results/) --- ## 5. Class I Prices at Lowest Level Since April 2021 USDA pricing announcements this month confirmed that Class I base milk prices have fallen to their lowest level in nearly five years. **January 2026 Class I pricing:** - **Class I Base Price:** $16.35 per hundredweight (down $1.86 from December) - This represents the lowest Class I base since April 2021 - Down $4.03 from January 2025 **December 2025 class prices:** - **Class II:** $14.41 per hundredweight (down $0.13) - **Class III:** $15.86 per hundredweight (down $1.32) - **Class IV:** $13.64 per hundredweight (down $0.25) **2026 outlook:** - USDA projects the All-Milk Price at $18.25 per hundredweight for 2026 (down from 2025's $21.15) - Milk production forecast at 234.3 billion pounds - National herd production in 24 major dairy states running 4.7% above year-ago levels The price weakness reflects elevated cow numbers, strong milk component levels, and supply outpacing demand in early 2026. *Read more:* [USDA Advanced Prices](https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/dymadvancedprices.pdf) --- ## 6. California Lifts HPAI Exhibition Ban The California Department of Food and Agriculture announced on January 16 that it has lifted the statewide ban on poultry and dairy cattle exhibitions at fairs and shows, effective immediately. **Background:** - The ban was originally imposed in January 2025 due to H5N1 spreading through California's poultry flocks and dairy herds - California has been declared HPAI-free in poultry - Some dairy herds still have ongoing infections, but risk is deemed manageable **Implications:** - Poultry and dairy cattle can now be exhibited at California fairs and shows - World Ag Expo in Tulare (February 10-12) will be the first major event since the ban's lifting - State veterinarian "strongly encourages" continued enhanced biosecurity The lifting of this ban is welcome news for California's agricultural community as the fair and show season approaches. *Read more:* [CDFA Press Release](https://pressreleases.cdfa.ca.gov/Home/PressRelease/67425563) --- ## 7. DMC Enrollment Continues Through February 26 Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment for 2026 remains open through **February 26, 2026**. With margins forecast to fall below payment triggers for multiple months in early 2026, enrollment at higher coverage levels is expected to generate payments for participating operations. **Key program changes for 2026:** - **Tier 1 coverage increased** from 5 million to 6 million pounds - All operations must establish **new production history** based on 2021, 2022, or 2023 marketings - **Six-year lock-in option** (2026-2031) with 25% premium discount available - Coverage levels available from $4.00-$9.50 per hundredweight in $0.50 increments **Production history requirements:** - Operations started after January 1, 2023: Use first year of monthly milk marketings - Operations started before January 1, 2023: Use highest marketings from 2021, 2022, or 2023 Producers who have not yet enrolled should contact their local FSA office. Given current price forecasts, the enhanced DMC program provides a meaningful safety net. *Read more:* [USDA FSA Dairy Margin Coverage](https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/dairy-margin-coverage-program/index) --- ## 8. USDA Announces Section 32 Commodity Purchases At the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention on January 13, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced an $80 million purchase of U.S. specialty crops under the Section 32 program. **Details:** - Products include almonds, grape juice, pistachios, and raisins - Distribution will go to food banks and nutrition assistance programs - Part of the broader "Make America Healthy Again" initiative - Aims to support farmers facing market pressures and foreign competition While this announcement focused on specialty crops rather than dairy, it signals continued USDA engagement in supporting agricultural producers during challenging market conditions. *Read more:* [USDA Press Release](https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2026/01/13/farm-bureau-convention-secretary-rollins-announces-dairy-margin-coverage-expansion-and-section-32) --- ## Market Snapshot: Week Ending January 30, 2026 | Indicator | Price/Value | Notes | |-----------|-------------|-------| | Class I Base Price (January) | $16.35/cwt | Lowest since April 2021 | | Class III Price (December) | $15.86/cwt | Down $1.32 from November | | 2026 All-Milk Price Forecast | $18.25/cwt | Down from 2025's $21.15 | | GDT Price Index (Jan 20) | +1.5% | Second consecutive increase | | Whole Milk Powder (GDT) | $3,449/MT | +1.0% | | Butter (GDT) | $5,314/MT | +2.1% | | DMC Enrollment Deadline | February 26, 2026 | 4 weeks remaining | --- ## Looking Ahead **Key dates to watch:** - **Now through February 26, 2026:** Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment period - **February 3, 2026:** Next Global Dairy Trade auction - **February 10-12, 2026:** World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. **The Therio team will be there!** [Schedule time to meet with us](https://calendly.com/therio) or email us at [info@therio.ai](mailto:info@therio.ai). **Industry priorities:** - Enrolling in expanded DMC program before the February 26 deadline - Managing through low-margin environment with operational efficiency - Monitoring protein demand trends and positioning products accordingly - Watching European H5N1 developments for potential trade implications - Preparing for World Ag Expo and networking opportunities --- *Stay informed with our weekly dairy industry roundups. For questions or tips, reach out at [info@therio.ai](mailto:info@therio.ai).*