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2024 Dairy outlook: returning to a sense of normalcy

Higher processor demand and still-low butter stocks are setting the stage for more milk production from Canadian dairy farmers in 2024. This, combined with strong culled cow/calf prices and stabilizing – though still high – input costs provide context to our average gross margin estimates for 2024, which look better than they have in the last few years (Figure 1).  

In December 2023, the Western Milk Pool (WMP) announced that, effective February 1, 2024, quota increases would take effect. The increases are not distributed evenly across provinces (see Table 1) due to a ‘rebalancing’ effort to ensure all four provinces in the WMP are on an even playing field. No quota increases in eastern Canada (i.e., the P5) have been announced at this time. 

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Why the Fertilizer Crisis Won’t End When the Iran War Does

Video: Why the Fertilizer Crisis Won’t End When the Iran War Does

The fertilizer crisis didn’t start with war — it revealed a system already under strain.

Seed World U.S. Editor Aimee Nielson breaks down what’s really happening in global fertilizer markets and why the impact on farmers may last far longer than current headlines suggest. Featuring insights from global fertilizer expert Melih Keyman and industry leaders Chris Abbott and Chris Turner, this conversation explores:

Why fertilizer supply was already tight before geopolitical disruption

What the Strait of Hormuz and global trade routes mean for input availability

How rising nitrogen prices are crushing farmer margins

Why this crisis could affect seed choices, crop mix and acreage decisions

The hidden risks around phosphate and sulfur supply

Why experts say this situation may get worse before it gets better

Even if tensions ease, the underlying issues — supply constraints, investment gaps and purchasing behavior — are still in play.

Watch to understand what this means for farmers, the seed industry and the future of global food production.