MD_DA230                                                              
DA                                                                    
MD DA230   Fluid Milk and Cream Review - Central                      

MADISON, WI.  March 5, 2015 (REPORT 9)                             

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT                  
F.O.B. producing plants:   Upper Midwest -   $1.9600 - 2.0763


Milk production rates are still above year ago levels, but the colder weather 
has decreased production levels. The milk spot load prices reflect the 
availability with pricing ranging from $3.00 under Class to Class. Bottling 
orders were down and extra milk supplies moved from Class I. Class II 
manufacturers are beginning to ramp up production for Easter demand. 
Cream supplies are robust, leaving many butter churn operators with higher 
stocks.  A few ice cream makers are taking cream supplies as well. Many Class 
III manufacturers are mostly sticking to committed contracted milk loads with 
a few hand-to-mouth spot load purchases. Snow storms in Texas have led to 
several issues, including trucking and crop production. Cream 
multiples are mixed this week, ranging from 1.18 to 1.25. The NASS 
Agricultural Prices report noted the National alfalfa hay price 
received during January averaged $174 per ton, compared to $186 a year 
ago. The average corn price for January was $3.81 per bushel, compared 
to $4.42 last year, while soybeans averaged $10.30 per bushel, 
compared to $12.90 a year ago. The all milk price averaged $17.60 per 
cwt, compared to $20.40 a year ago. The average price received for 
milks cows in January was $1,990, compared to $1,440 a year ago. The 
milk-feed ratio was 2.09, compared to 2.46 a year ago. According to 
DMN National Retail Report- Dairy, the national weighted average 
advertised price for the week of February 27 through March 5 for a 
gallon of milk was $3.27 compared to $2.99 a year ago and $2.71 a week 
ago. In the Midwest, the advertised price for a gallon of milk was 
$3.15.  



1100CT Tara.Herbst@ams.usda.gov 608-278-4154 
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