MD_DA230                                                              
DA                                                                    
MD DA230   Fluid Milk and Cream Review - Central                      

MADISON, WI.  April 2, 2015 (REPORT 13)                              

SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT                  
F.O.B. producing plants:   Upper Midwest -   $2.0394-2.1414

           
Central milk production levels are up slightly, boosted by warmer 
weather and favorable feed prices. There have been reports of 
available milk in the region due to maintenance issues. Spot loads are 
available at reported pricing of $1 over Class to $1 under Class, with 
some reporting as low as $2.50 under Class. Some manufacturers are 
buying extra loads to fulfill demand for cheese. Bottling demand at 
some companies has increased as they fill behind holiday demand. Class 
II is pulling heavy for ice cream, sour cream and cream cheeses. Class 
III demand has also increased. Cream multiples are up this week, ranging 
from 1.20 to 1.26. Cream supplies are tight as ice cream manufacturers 
have started to increase production. The weekly Cow Slaughter under 
Federal Inspection report shows U.S. dairy cow slaughter for the week 
ending March 14, at 60,500 head, compared to 60,800 for the same week a 
year ago. According to DMN National Retail Report-Dairy, the national 
weighted average advertised price for the week of March 27-April 02 for a 
gallon of milk was $2.88 compared to $3.18 a year ago and $2.89 a week 
ago. In the Midwest, the advertised price for a gallon of milk was $2.56, 
with a range of $2.49-2.79. The NASS Agricultural Prices report noted the 
National alfalfa hay price received during February averaged $172 per ton, 
compared to $190 a year ago. The average corn price was $3.79 per bushel, 
compared to $4.35 last year; while soybeans averaged $9.92 per bushel, 
compared to $13.20 a year ago. The all milk price averaged $16.60 per CWT, 
compared to $24.70 a year ago. The milk-feed ratio was 2.02, compared to 
2.59 a year ago.  






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