The Southwest is seeing dairy farms come offline as the margins become too thin, according to Mark Stephenson, the director of Dairy Policy Analysis at UW-Madison. Unlike the Midwest, many farmers in the Southwest don't grow their own cattle feed. With feed prices going up, dairying is no longer financially viable. Cattle are exiting the market or moving to other parts of the country, including in areas that have added processing capacity or built new facilities, such as in Michigan, western Minnesota and the Dakotas. In other news, spring flush may not bring in the milk it usually does this year to stock up cheese for the busy season. Stephenson predicts a bullish market for cheese this fall. On the policy front, Stephenson expects a FMMO reform hearing soon. 

The Southwest is seeing dairy farms come offline as the margins become too thin, according to Mark Stephenson, the director of Dairy Policy Analysis at UW-Madison. Unlike the Midwest, many farmers in the Southwest don't grow their own cattle feed. With feed prices going up, dairying is no longer financially viable. Cattle are exiting the market or moving to other parts of the country, including in areas that have added processing capacity or built new facilities, such as in Michigan, western Minnesota and the Dakotas. In other news, spring flush may not bring in the milk it usually does this year to stock up cheese for the busy season. Stephenson predicts a bullish market for cheese this fall. On the policy front, Stephenson expects a FMMO reform hearing soon.&nbsp;

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

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