MD_DA431
DA
MD DA431 BUTTER - CENTRAL 

MADISON, WI. February 17, 2016 (Report 7)

Butter production in the Central region is active, with a few plants 
running close to capacity. Churn operators report cream availability 
is holding steady from last week. Spot cream loads from the West 
continue to clear into Central region churns. However, a few Class II 
operations are coming into the spot market ahead of butter makers. 
With the return of various seasonal milk shake flavors at fast food 
restaurants, Class II soft serve/shake production is steady to higher 
and generating additional spot cream interest. Butter sales picked up 
this week ahead of the spring holiday season. Sales into consumer 
outlets for 1 pound quarters are higher. Bulk butter interest is 
steady to higher ahead of the spring holiday. Most butter makers are 
sticking with customary pricing on bulk and consumer-packaged butter 
varieties. Bulk butter prices reportedly range from market to 6 cents 
over the market, with various time frames and averages used. The DMN 
National Dairy Retail Report-Dairy for February 12-18 noted the 
national weighted average advertised price for a 1 pound package of 
butter was $3.29, $0.03 below one week ago and $0.33 below one year 
ago. The weighted average prices in the Midwest and South Central 
regions are $2.86 and $1.85, respectively. The CME Group Grade AA 
butter market closed Wednesday at $2.0425, down $0.0825 from last 
Wednesday.

1530CT Janet.Linder@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7003
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy
Dairy Market News database portal: 
http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home