MD_DA440  
DA                                                         
MD DA440 BUTTER - WEST                           

MADISON, WI.  April 29, 2015 (REPORT 17)
 
WEST BUTTER:

Butter manufacturing is a mixed picture in the West.  Some 
plants are only manufacturing prints for orders in hand and 
selling extra cream.  Other plants are moving cream from other 
states to support butter production levels.  In plants churning 
print and bulk butter, there is a shift toward a higher 
percentage of production being bulk.  Bulk butter from the West 
is moving into the Central Region.  Some concerns are voiced 
about meeting print demand during quarter 4.  The National Retail 
Report - Dairy for the week April 24 - 30, found that the U.S. 
weighted average advertised price of 1# butter is $2.86, $.40 below 
the price one week ago and $.01 above one year ago.  Retail prices for 
1# butter in the Southwest have a weighted average advertised price of 
$2.68 with a price range $2.49-$3.48, and in the Northwest, $2.78 with 
a price range of $2.50-$3.50.  Bulk butter pricing in the West this 
week is 4 cents under market to 5 cents above, based on the CME 
Group with various time frames and averages used.  The Grade AA 
butter price at the CME Group on Wednesday closed at $1.8500, up 
$0.0200 from a week ago.

1530CT eric.graf@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7005
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: www.ams.usda.gov/dairymarketnews
Dairy Market News database portal: 
http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home