MD_DA410 DA MD DA410 BUTTER - NORTHEAST MADISON, WI. July 6, 2015 (Report 27) NORTHEAST BUTTER: Several butter churns in the East revved up production over the holiday weekend as cream became more readily available. However, full schedules are not anticipated to continue through the tail end of the week, as cream availability is expected to tighten up. A few manufacturers are contemplating switching production from print butter to bulk butter. Some manufacturers report churning just enough butter to meet contractual needs. Inventories are mixed. Several manufacturers are choosing to turn down inquiries from buyers, as they anticipate the market to firm in the upcoming moths. Industry participants feel market forecasts are sparking buyers' interests to make near-term purchases. Demand for print butter moving into foodservice is strong. Retail and contract sales are steady. The market undertone is mixed. The Northeast bulk butter price is reported 5 to 8 over the market, based on CME Group with various time frames and averages used. This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted requests for 352,740 pounds of butter. So far this year, the program has accepted requests for 5.351 million pounds of butter. According to the DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, for July 1-7, the national weighted average advertised price for 1-pound butter is $3.38, up $0.34 from a year ago. The Northeast regional price is $3.43, a $0.40 increase from the previous week. In the Southeast butter is priced at $3.51, an increase of $0.04 compared to a week ago. The CME Group monthly average price for Grade AA butter during June was $2.2640, compared to $1.9065 a year ago. Tuesday's CME Group cash trading saw Grade AA butter close at $2.3400, up $0.0400 from a week ago. 1100CT Amy.L.Schmitz@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7004 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