Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner article, contributed by Corey Geiger and Abbi Prins of CoBank, takes a broad look at the forces shaping today’s U.S. dairy landscape. Significant processing investments, shifting product demand, and evolving market signals are creating both opportunities and new challenges for producers. As the industry adapts to these dynamics, strategic planning and flexibility will be essential for long‑term success.

As we enter 2026, now is an ideal time for producers to reflect on the past year’s challenges and achievements as you plan for the year ahead. With continued volatility across dairy and livestock markets, thoughtful planning will be critical to navigating uncertainty and protecting farm revenue.

For producers across the Northeast, preparing for 2026 means more than setting goals and updating budgets; it means evaluating your farm’s entire risk management approach to make sure you’re positioned for stability and success. Taking a proactive approach to risk today can help you avoid surprises tomorrow.

Across the country, dairy producers are seeing an unexpected bright spot in their bottom lines — record-high calf prices. In the past month, feeder cattle prices have reached record highs, with beef calf prices surpassing $1,600 per head. The growing beef-on-dairy trend has transformed calf sales into a meaningful revenue stream, adding $3.00 or more per hundredweight to many producers’ bottom lines.