Texas dairy producers face challenges amid good milk prices [Video]

ADAM RUSSELLTexas A&M AgriLife

Texas dairy producers continue to face challenges despite favorable milk prices over the past year, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Jennifer Spencer, AgriLife Extension dairy specialist, Stephenville, said milk prices remain historically good for producers, and demand continues to be strong for milk and milk products from cheese to ice cream. But higher input costs are eating into profitability, she said.

Spencer said Texas continues to perform well and add dairy capacity and cows. Texas moved past Idaho to rank third nationally in milk production for the first six months of 2022. However, summer heat led to reduced production and Texas finished fourth for the year.

Texas dairies produced 15.1 billion pounds of milk as of Dec. 1 which was 6% above the same time last year. Spencer expected the 2022 total to be near 16 billion pounds by year’s end compared to 15.6 billion pounds …