MD_DA230 DA MD DA230 Fluid Milk and Cream Review - Central MADISON, WI. March 31, 2016 (REPORT 13) SPOT PRICES OF CLASS II CREAM, $ PER POUND BUTTERFAT F.O.B. producing plants: Upper Midwest - $2.2088-2.4025 Milk production is trending higher throughout the Central region, with some south Central areas getting closer to the peak. Milk processors indicate their plants are close to capacity with few opportunities for down time. Processors are working cooperatively to find room for all the milk volumes needing processing. In addition, Central manufacturers are also utilizing spot condensed skim loads from the East region. These loads, at discounted prices, are offering a break on input costs. Bottling demand is steady to higher as some school districts resume instruction after the mid-semester break. However, bottlers indicate there is some carryover in dairy cases after the holidays, so retail bottled milk orders are uneven. This week, Class II cream multiples are lower, ranging from 1.14 to 1.24. With spot cream loads readily available within the region, as well as from the East and West regions, buyers have ample choices on suppliers. Overall Class II demand for cream is steady to modestly higher, but some end users anticipate price decreases in the weeks to come. Spot milk sales are active into Class III operations, especially into specialty cheese varieties. Milk load prices range from $3.00 to $1.50 under Class. The DMN National Retail Report-Dairy for March 21-25 noted the national weighted average advertised price for one gallon of milk was $2.58, up $0.40 from a week ago, but $0.30 lower than a year ago. The weighted average regional prices in the Midwest and South Central regions were $2.06 and $3.33, respectively. 1100CT Janet.Linder@ams.usda.gov 608.557.7003 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/map/da- home