SCC on and off the farm

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2026

July 23, 2026

By Jessica Miller, Associated Editor

Thinking of your farm’s somatic cell count (SCC) as a measure of herd health? While you’re at it, it also pays to remember that SCC levels can impact both dairy processors and consumers down the line. A recent article updated on the Penn State University extension website reminds producers that SCC matters off the farm, too.

More processors are holding the line when it comes to higher SCC levels by refusing milk that exceeds a certain threshold. Higher SCCs have been associated with changes in milk composition, along with higher activity of enzymes that are detrimental to milk quality, shorter shelf life, and even defects in the finished products.

hoards.com

SCC on and off the farm

Thinking of your farm’s somatic cell count (SCC) as a measure of herd health? While you’re at it, it also pays to remember that SCC levels can impact both dairy processors and consumers down the line.

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Protein has begun to outpace butterfat

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2026

May 4, 2026

By Corey Geiger, Cobank

Butterfat has long been the driver of the U.S. dairy industry. The processing sector balanced for the milk component meaning we kept nearly all our butterfat for the domestic market and exported skims solids – largely dairy proteins, permeate, and lactose – to international customers. That scenario has begun to shift.

Last year we experienced a structural shift in the American dairy industry as U.S. dairy farmers continued to produce more butterfat. As a result, the U.S. exported 269 million pounds of butter and anhydrous milkfat. That was up a whopping 171% over the 99 million pounds exported in 2024.

hoards.com

Protein has begun to outpace butterfat

Butterfat has long been the driver of the U.S. dairy industry. The processing sector balanced for the milk component meaning we kept nearly all our butterfat for the domestic market and exported skims solids – largely dairy proteins, permeate, and l

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More dairy cows headed to second career: beef

By Abbi Prins, Cobank

Hoards Dairyman Intel

Now that March has rolled around, it’s spring-cleaning season and dairy farmers are getting in the spirit as more dairy cows are sent to the beef packer. Dairy cow slaughter has been higher year-over-year for 23 consecutive weeks, with the exception of one lone week in early February. For 2026 alone, 3,900 more cows have been culled each week on average compared to a year ago, resulting in year-to-date slaughter being 35,000 head or 7.5% higher than the year prior. Read More