Pandemic impact shows up in milk ‘mailbox’ prices (JAV)

The USDA released December and 2020 annual “mailbox” milk price summaries, providing yet another illustration of how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted milk marketing last year. When compared to the USDA’s all-milk prices, the price differences also reflect challenges to dairy risk management. First, a disclaimer of sorts. Comparing the all-milk price and mailbox price isn’t exactly apples to apples. The all-milk price is the gross milk price farmers receive and includes quality, quantity and other premiums. Prices are reported monthly by the USDA National Ag Statistics Service (NASS).