Dairy barn with cows eatingBe it market inflation, sky-high input costs or difficulty finding labor, the pressures the U.S. dairy industry is facing continue to weigh heavy. The cost of operating a dairy operation has increased exponentially, while profits remain slim. The cost of feed, machinery, equipment and other inputs has noticeably risen in 2021 after an already steady hike over the last several years. Meanwhile, recent USDA reports show cow herd numbers declining, which could signal some relief to market pressures. Read more on dairy production and examples from producers here.