MD_DA440  
DA 
MD DA440 BUTTER - WEST 

MADISON, WI.  November 22, 2016 (REPORT 47)

WEST BUTTER

Western butter makers are actively seeking out cream to churn. Cream has 
tightened as processors are eager to make print butter to meet holiday needs. 
However, time is dwindling for the 2016 holiday butter making and shipment 
season. Some manufacturers are starting to make adjustments to production 
schedules as the season winds down. Inventories continue to decrease, as 
expected, due to the strong holiday demand. Bulk butter pricing in the West this 
week is 1 cent under market to 5 cents above, based on the CME Group with various 
time frames and averages used. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for the week 
of November 18-24 found that the U.S. weighted average advertised price of 1 
pound butter is $2.57, down $.12 from last week. The U.S. weighted average price 
was $2.82 one year ago. In the Southwest, the weighted average advertised price 
of 1 pound butter is $2.76 with a price range of $2.47-$3.00. In the Northwest, 
the weighted average advertised price of 1 pound butter is $2.56 with a price 
range of $1.88-$3.33. This week, a cooperative export assistance program accepted 
requests for 1.091 million pounds (495 metric tons) of butter. So far this year, 
the program has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 12.7 
million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) in export markets. 

1100CT Mike.Bandli@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7010
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