The Latest from MN Milk

May 19, 2026

Dairy market report

Source: Ever.Ag

Headlines about a potential suspension of beef import tariffs had livestock markets on edge. Feeder cattle fell to a six-week low on Tuesday before rebounding.

We partner with Ever.Ag to provide highlights of weekly dairy market activities, along with a summary of key market indicators.

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Minnesota Legislature update

Source: Daryn McBeth, MN Milk contract lobbyist

During the final week of the 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session, legislative leaders and the Governor announced the framework of a deal to bring the session to a close on Sunday.

The high points of the deal did not have an impact on agriculture policy, but allowed the legislature to break the impasse for moving to the end of the session over the weekend. The main components of the deal focused on funding for Hennepin County Medical Center, a one-year reduction of vehicle license tab fees ($250M), and 12% relief on the homestead property tax credit for residential properties.

The Minnesota Senate on Thursday passed its omnibus Agriculture Finance Bill that contained modest adjustments to a few Department of Agriculture programs, including the Farm Downpayment Assistance program, reforms to seed potato certification and oversight by the Department, and an extension of the Farmer-Lender Mediation Program. A proposed amendment to ban the use or sale of Paraquat herbicide was ruled out of order.

As of this posting, details of the Tax Bill and the Bonding Bill were unavailable and will be summarized in the next Minnesota Milk Minute. One thing in the Tax Bill that is still up in the air is removing the funding limit on credits available with the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit, something Minnesota Milk has been pursuing for several years.

Farm bill update

Source: Torrey Advisory Group

Congress recessed last week and has returned in session this week. Since the passage of the House Farm Bill, the Senate is looking to draft their own legislation in the coming weeks. Negotiations are expected around E15, the SNAP cost-share with states, and farmer economic assistance funding.

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USDA risk management agency announces livestock insurance program enhancements

Source: USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a series of updates to improve insurance coverage through the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), Livestock Gross Margin (LGM), and Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) insurance programs beginning with the 2027 crop year. These updates were approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board of Directors.

Additional resources:

New for RY2027: Concurrent Coverage under DRP/LGM and LRP/LGM

New for RY2027: LRP coverage for dairy cull cows expanded to 52 weeks