Check out the latest market report for the week of Mar. 01, 2024.
Weekly market report for the week of Mar. 01, 2024. Data compiled from state and national market sources.
Cattle
Altoona Equity Market: Feb. 22, 2024
FED CATTLE:
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 173.00.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 145.00 to 170.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 156.00 to 167.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 145.00 to 155.00.
Select, Unfinished & Heavyweight Steers & Heifers: 144.00 & down.
CULL COWS:
Higher 20% sold for: 110.00 to 119.00.
60% sold for: 89.00 to 109.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 88.00 & down.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 100.00 to 125.00.
CALVES: Sold by the head.
80% of Holstein Bull Calves 95 lbs. & up: 380.00 to 580.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 125.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 500.00 to 835.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 380.00 & down
Bonduel Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
FED CATTLE: Trending higher
High Yielding Choice Beef 165.00 to 178.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 140.00 to 168.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 100.00 to 140.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 99.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Trending higher
Higher 20% sold for: 90.00 to 132.00.
60% sold for: 70.00 to 90.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 70.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 90.00 to 129.00.
Thin, Full Bulls, over a ton discounted: 90.00 & down.
CALVES: Sold by the pound. Steady
Holstein Bull Calves: 150.00 to 600.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 30.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 700.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 100.00 & down, heavy discounts on light and poor quality.
FEEDER CATTLE: As of 02/15/24 sale.
Beef steers under 400 lbs: No test.
Beef steers 400-600 lbs: 240.00-273.00.
Beef steers 600-800 lbs: 180.00-240.00.
Beef steers over 800 lbs: 190.00-216.00.
Beef heifers under 400 lbs: No test.
Beef heifers 400-600 lbs: 204.00-236.00.
Beef heifers 600-800 lbs: 200.00-224.00.
Beef heifers over 800 lbs: No test.
Holstein steers up to 400 lbs: No test.
Holstein steers 400-600 lbs: No test.
Holstein steers 600-800 lbs: No test.
Holstein steers over 800 lbs: No test.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 174.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 to 155.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 142.00 to 157.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 130.00 to 148.00.
Select & Unfinished Cattle: 120.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
20% sold for: 95.00 to 115.00.
60% sold for: 80.00 to 95.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 80.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 90.00 to 100.00.
Thin & Full Bulls, discounted: 80.00 & down.
CALVES, sold by the pound: Steady
60% of Holstein Bull Calves: 220.00 to 450.00.
Quality Dairy Heifer Calves: 80.00 to 140.00.
Quality Beef Calves: 400.00 to 650.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 150.00 & down.
Lomira Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 167.00 to 175.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 159.00 to 166.00.
Select, Low Yielding & Underfinished Beef Steers & Heifers: 155.00 & down.
X-bred Steers & Heifers: 162.00 to 170.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 159.00 to 163.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 147.00 to 158.00.
Low Yielding, Select & Underfinished Holstein Steers & Heifers: 100.00-143.00.
MARKET COWS:
High Yielding Cows: 108.00 to 120.00.
Cutters & Utility: 73.00 to 107.00.
Canners & Shells: 40.00-70.00
MARKET BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 105.00 to 140.00.
Thin, Light & Over-Conditioned Bulls: 95.00 & down.
CALVES (02/20/24 Auction): Sold by the pound.
Quality Holstein Bull Calves weighing 90-110 lbs: 520.00 to 610.00.
Light Weight Calves: 340.00 to 520.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 200.00-270.00.
Quality Beef and X-bred Bulls & Heifer Calves: Heifers 580.00-800.00; Bulls 680.00-850.00.
Poor Quality Calves: 260.00 & down
Monroe Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
FED CATTLE: Stronger
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 183.00-189.50.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 168.00-182.50.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 160.00-188.50.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 159.00-171.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 140.00-158.50.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 139.00 and down.
Wednesday 02/21/24 Sale:
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: No test.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: No test.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: No test.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 155.00-162.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 145.00-154.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 140.00 and down.
CULL COWS: Steady
High Yielding Cows: 105.00 to 125.50.
Cutters & Utility: 80.00 to 104.50.
Canners & Shells: 79.50 & down.
SLAUGHTER BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 114.00 to 122.00.
Thin, Light and Overconditioned Bulls: 110.00 & down.
CALVES: Sold by the pound. Stronger
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 300.00 to 660.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 295.00 & down.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 300.00 & down.
Quality Beef & Beef X-bred Calves: bulls 900.00 & down; heifers 850.00 & down.
Reedsville Equity Market: Feb. 22, 2024
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 160.00 to 174.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 142.00 to 159.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 140.00 to 164.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 125.00 to 139.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 124.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Stronger
Higher 20% sold for: 105.00 to 126.00.
60% sold for: 85.00 to 104.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 84.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 95.00-120.00.
CALVES: Softer
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 250.00-370.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: Up to 120.00.
Quality Beef Calves: Up to 570.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 40.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE: Results 02/22/2024
Holstein steers under 400 lbs: 130.00 to 170.00.
Holstein steers 400 to 600 lbs: 100.00 to 160.00.
Holstein steers 600 to 800 lbs: 100.00 to 150.00.
Holstein steers over 800 lbs: 90.00 to 150.00.
Stratford Equity Market: Feb. 27, 2024
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 160.00-172.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 145.00 to 159.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers & Heifers: 155.00-169.50.
Select & Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 140.00 to 154.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 140.00 and down.
CULL COWS:
Higher 20% sold for: 105.00 to 127.00.
60% sold for: 85.00 to 104.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 85.00 & down.
Good certified organic cows (for slaughter): 140.00-159.00.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 110.00 to 131.00.
Thin, Full, Horned Bulls discounted: 110.00 & down.
CALVES, sold by the head:
Good to Top Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 450.00-650.00.
Top Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 150.00 to 320.00.
Plain Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 145.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 600.00 to 860.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 150.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: Under 400 lbs: 210.00-300.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 200.00-290.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 170.00-200.00; Over 800 lbs: 140.00-185.00.
Beef Heifers: Under 400 lbs: 195.00-290.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 160.00-235.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 150.00-200.00; Over 800 lbs: 140.00-180.00.
Holstein Steers: Under 400 lbs: 140.00-210.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 140.00-205.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 140.00-202.50; Over 800 lbs: 140.00-175.00.
Milwaukee Stockyards: Feb. 26, 2024
COWS:
No Roll Cows: 110.00 to 118.00.
High Yielding Cutters & Utility: 90.00 to 105.00.
Cutters: 75.00 to 90.00.
Canners & Shells: 65.00 & down.
HOLSTEIN STEERS:
High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers, 1400-1600 lbs: 155.00 to 160.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 145.00 to 154.00.
Select Steers: 120.00 to 130.00.
Unfinished Holstein Steers: 110.00 & down.
BEEF CATTLE:
Choice & Prime Angus Beef 1250-1600 lbs: 172.00 to 177.00.
Select Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 & down.
BULLS:
Premium Beef Bulls 1600-2000 lbs: 95.00 to 110.00.
Common to Good Bulls: 85.00 to 95.00.
REPLACEMENT CALVES:
Premium Bulls 100-120 lbs: 400.00 to 650.00.
Common to Good Bulls 80-100 lbs: 200.00 to 400.00.
Beef Bull Calves: 600.00 to 900.00.
Beef Heifer Calves: 500.00 to 875.00.
Dairy Heifer Calves: 100.00 to 250.00.
Boning Calves: 15.00 & down.
Premier Livestock: Feb. 26, 2024
MARKET COWS: Very strong
Selling Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
High Yielding Cows: 115.00 to 125.00.
Most Market Cows: 95.00 to 114.00.
Low Yielding Cows: 94.00 and down.
FED MARKET STEERS AND HEIFERS: Stronger
High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 155.00 to 166.00.
Low Choice & Select Holstein Steers: 147.00-154.00.
Underfinished & Mixed Grading: 148.00 & down.
MARKET BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 110.00 to 135.00.
Plainer Quality Bulls: 104.00 & down.
BABY CALVES: Stronger
Most Holstein Bull Calves: 350.00-665.00.
Quality Beef Calves: 500.00 to 895.00.
Holstein Heifer Calves, Single Birth: 100.00-300.00.
Light and off quality calves: 150.00 & down.
Fennimore: Feb. 21, 2024
High Yield Slaughter Cows: 1.00-1.19/lb; Holstein Bulls & Calves: 95-120 lbs: 500.00-650.00; Light Weight & Poor Calves: 330.00; Beef X-Bred Calves: 600.00-840.00.
National Cattle Summary: Feb. 26, 2024
For Monday in all trading regions negotiated cash trade was at standstill. Last week in the Texas Panhandle live FOB purchases traded at 183.00. Last week in Kansas live FOB purchases traded from 182.00-183.00. Last week in Nebraska live FOB purchases traded at 183.00 with dressed delivered purchases traded at 292.00. Last week in the Western Cornbelt live FOB purchases traded from 182.00-184.00 with dressed delivered purchases traded from 290.00-292.00.
Dairy Cattle Summary
Reedsville Equity Market: Feb. 22, 2024
As of 02/01/24
Top Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 1200.00 to 1800.00.
Plainer Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 1150.00 & down.
Good Quality Shortbred Heifers: 700.00 to 1300.00.
Good Quality Springing & Recently Fresh Cows: 1100.00 to 1800.00.
Good Bred Back Milking Cows: 1100.00 to 1600.00.
Plain Quality & Common Cows: 500.00 to 1050.00.
Dehorned & Vaccinated Open Heifers, 350-550 lbs: 90.00 to 130.00/lb.
Dehorned & Vaccinated Open Heifers, 550-750 lbs: 90.00 to 120.00/lb.
Dehorned & Vaccinated Open Heifers, 750-950 lbs: 90.00 to 120.00/lb.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Feb. 26, 2024
FINISHED CATTLE:
Finished Beef Steers: 178.00-188.00; Mixed Grading: 164.00-177.50.
Finished Beef Heifers: 178.00-192.00; Mixed Grading: 134.00-177.00.
Finished Dairy Steers: 154.00-162.00; Silage Fed, Heavyweight, Select Grade, Lightweight: 112.00-153.50.
MARKET COWS:
Mostly: 80.00-113.00; Thin/shelly/full/overfed cows: 87.00 & down; Market Bulls: 110.00-133.00.
Bred Beef Cows & Heifers: N/A.
Calves: 95-125 lbs: 325.00-375.00; 150-250 lbs: 185.00-300.00; Beef Calves: 500.00-675.00; Lighter, Weaker, Younger Calves: 320.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: under 600 lbs: Up to 257.50/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 197.00/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 150.00; Beef Heifers: under 600 lbs: Up to 245.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 187.50/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 142.50/cwt.
Holstein Steers: under 400 lbs: N/A; 400-600 lbs: N/A; 600-800 lbs: N/A; 800-1000 lbs: 140.00/cwt.
Eastern Corn Belt Direct, Feeder Cattle Summary (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH and KY): Feb. 23, 2024
Compared to last week: No Current FOB trades this week for a trend. Demand moderate to good. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (100% Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 89%. Unless otherwise noted, Feeder Cattle prices FOB based on net weights after a 2-3% shrink or equivalent, with up to a 15 cent slide > 600 lbs and up to a 20 cent slide < 600 lbs. Livestock reported this week originated from KY.
Sheep & Lambs
Fennimore: Feb. 21, 2024
Bucks: 0.90-1.35/lb. Ewes: 0.80-1.20/lb.; Choice Lambs: 1.60-2.20/lb; Feeding Lambs: 45-70 lbs.: 2.90-3.70/lb.; 80-100 lbs.: 2.40-2.75/lb.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
Lambs: 100 lbs and up: 120.00-200.00; 100 lbs and down: 110.00-220.00; Ewes: 60.00-95.00; Bucks: 60.00-85.00.
Lomira Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
As of 02/24/24: Finished Market Lambs: 170.00-225.00; Lambs: 65 lbs and down: 240.00-300.00; 70 to 100 lbs: 190.00-225.00; Ewes: 80.00-120.00; Bucks: 100.00-130.00.
Monroe Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
As of 01/24/23: Finished Market Lambs: 2.00-2.10; Feeder Lambs: 2.00-2.50/lb.; Cull Ewes: No test; Cull Rams: No test.
Stratford Equity Market: Feb. 27, 2024
As of 02/21/24: Feeder Lambs: No test; Market Lambs: .90-1.10; Cull Ewes: 0.25-.30; Cull Rams: .60-.80.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Feb. 27, 2024
Feeder Lambs: 50-70 lbs: 295.00-370.00/cwt; 70-90 lbs: 245.00-320.00/cwt; Over 90 lbs: 205.00-300.00/cwt.
Fed Lambs 125-155 lbs: Shorn: 170.00-200.00/cwt; Unshorn: N/A.
Utility & Good Ewes: 110.00-165.00; Thin & Cull Ewes: 105.00 and down; Yearling Ewes: No test.
Goats
Fennimore Equity Market: Feb. 21, 2024
Slaughter Nannies: 0.90-1.25/lb.
Slaughter Billies: 1.30-1.87/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Dairy): 2.50-2.60/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Boer): 3.60-4.00/lb
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
Young Goats 80 lbs & up: 180.00 & down
Young Goats 60-80 lbs: 250.00 & down.
Young Goats under 60 lbs: 170.00 & down.
Cull Goats: 170.00 & down.
Lomira Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
As of 02/24/2024:
Fed Goats: 190.00 to 270.00.
Dairy Kids: 150.00 to 255.00.
Boer Kids: 270.00 to 380.00.
Cull Goats: 90.00-140.00.
Monroe Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
As of 01/24/23: Goats sell by the head.
Dairy Goats 40-80 lbs: No test.
Meat Goats 40-80 lbs: No test.
Meat Goats over 80 lbs: No test.
Cull Nannies & Billies: 165.00 & down.
Hogs
USDA Hog Report: Feb. 23, 2024
Compared to last week: Early weaned pigs are 3.00 higher and feeder pigs are 4.00 higher. Demand is good for light offerings.
Lomira Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
Feeder Pigs: 40-60 lbs: Call for availability.
Hogs: Heavy Sows: 38.00-40.00; Light Sows: 34.00-37.00; Boars: 10.00-16.00; Butcher Hogs: 50.00.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
Butchers hogs 250# up: 40.00-55.00; 170#-249#: 40.00-70.00; Light Sows: 25.00-39.00; Heavy Sows: 25.00-42.00; Boars: 5.00-10.00; Feeder Pigs: 5.00-40.00.
Stratford Equity Market: Feb. 27, 2024
Butchers: No test; Sows: 50.00-59.00; Boars: 12.00 and down; Slaughter Pigs: No test; Feeder Pigs, 25-35 lbs: 15.00/head; 45-55 lbs: 27.00/head; 60-70 lbs: No test; 70-80 lbs: 48.00/head; over 85 lbs: No test.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Feb. 27, 2024
Feeder Pigs: 50 lbs and under: Up to 57.50/hd; 50-60 lbs: N/A; 60-80lbs: Up to 55.00/hd; 80-100 lbs: Up to 100.00/hd; 100-120 lbs: Up to 160.00/hd.
Grains
Cargill La Crosse: Feb. 20, 2024
CORN/SOYBEANS
Mar.: 4.0750/11.3075
May: 4.2300/11.4150
July: 4.3550/11.5275
Aug: -------/11.4950
Sept: 4.4575/11.3800
Nov: -------/11.3125
Dec: 4.5950/-------
Jan.’25: ------/11.4150
Mar.: 4.7250/11.4175
May: 4.7975/11.4475
Eggs
USDA Egg Report: Feb. 20, 2024
Midwest delivered prices are steady. Producer prices are 15 cents lower for Large, 5 cents lower for Medium, unchanged on Small. The undertone is weak. Demand is light to moderate. Offerings and supplies are moderate. The Midwest shell egg inventory increased 6.1% compared to last week. Market activity is moderate to slow.
Extra Large: 3.10-3.12; Large: 3.08-3.10; Medium: 2.05-2.07
Hay
Fennimore: Feb. 19, 2024
Large Square Hay: 165.00-245.00/ton; Lg. Round Dairy Quality Hay: 170.00-200.00/ton; Sm. Square Hay:3.50-4.75/bale; Dry Cow/Beef Cow Hay: 80.00-140.00/ton; Large Square Straw: 50.00/bale.
Lomira Equity Market: Feb. 26, 2024
Every Friday at noon:
Small Squares Hay: 2.00-6.00/bale; Large Squares Hay Alfalfa: 100.00-120.00/bale; Large Squares Mix: 70.00-90.00/bale; Large Square Grass: 50.00-80.00/bale; Large Rounds Alfalfa Quality: 70.00-90.00/bale; Large Rounds Mix: 50.00-80.00/bale; Large Rounds Grass: 40.00-70.00/bale; Small Wheat Straw: 1.00-2.00/bale.
Stratford Equity Market: Feb. 27, 2024
Sale first and third Tuesday each month (as of 02/20/24):
Large Square grass mix: 110.00-125.00/bale.
Large Square Hay Bales, 2nd and 3rd Crop Alfalfa: 120.00-150.00/bale.
Large Square Bales, Rye Straw: 40.00-45.00/bale.
Sm. Round Bales, Grass: 60.00-70.00/bale.
Alfalfa Rounds, 2nd & 3rd Crop: 80.00-110.00/bale.
Small Square Straw Bales: 3.00-3.25/bale.
Small Square Hay Bales: 4.25-5.00/bale.
Tim Slack Auction & Realty, Hay & Bedding Report: Feb. 28, 2024
Hay, lg. Square: Good: 180.00-225.00/ton; Fair: 150.00/ton; Sm. Square: Premium: 6.50/bale; Hay, Lg. Round: Good: 145.00-165.00/ton; Wrapped $60.00-120.00/ton.
Straw, lg. square: Good, 58.00/bale; Sm. square: N/A.
Grass, lg. square: 210.00/ton; Lg. round: 100.00/ton; Sm. square: N/A.
Reedsville Equity Market: Feb. 28, 2024
High Quality 1st Crop Hay: 140.00-190.00/ton; Low Quality Hay: 135.00/ton; High Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay: 150.00-210.00/ton; Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay:145.00/ton; High Quality Straw: 110.00-160.00/ton; Low Quality Straw: 90.00/ton; Baleage: 50.00-90.00/ton.
Grass, lg. square: 155.00-210.00/ton; Lg. round: 140.00/ton; Sm. square: N/A.
Dairy
Weekly Animal Feed, Central U.S.: Feb. 22, 2024
Block volume trading activity pushed the bottom of the dry whey price range to $.41/lb, while all other points of the range and mostly series held steady. Contacts have variant views on near-term dry whey market tones. Some say that the consistently firm markets of high protein blends, such as whey protein concentrate 80%, have kept processors' priorities away from drying sweet condensed whey. All said, despite price slips on the range, most spot activity is holding in the upper $.40s/lb to $.50/lb. Animal feed whey trading was quieter this week, as prices are unchanged.
- Prices for Central U.S., All First Sales, FOB, Conventional and Non-Edible Dry Whey Price Range Animal Feed, $/lb: .3500 - .3700.
- Prices for Central U.S., All First Sales, FOB, Extra Grade & Grade A, Conventional and Edible Dry Whey Price Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .4100 - .5250; Mostly Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .4750- .5000.
Dairy Market Review: Feb. 23, 2024
BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $2.8500. The weekly average for Grade AA is $2.8031 (+0.0791).
CHEESE: Barrels closed at $1.6150 and 40# blocks at $1.5500. The weekly average for barrels is $1.6100 (+0.0235) and blocks, $1.5219 (-0.0096).
CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Eastern cheese plant managers share seasonally steady production schedules. Retail demand is noted to be seasonally strong. Foodservice demand is steady to lighter. Inventories are comfortable. Buying interest for cheese remains quiet in the Central region. Some contacts share orders outside of contracts have been sparse in recent weeks. Spot milk prices are being reported from $0.50-under to $0.50-over Class III prices. Western contacts share Class III spot milk load availability varies from area to area. Cheese production schedules are noted to be steady. Contacts relay steady demand from international buyers.
BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: Retail and food service demands are seasonally steady to stronger. Cream for butter makers is plentiful throughout most of the country. Slower ice cream production, in some parts of the country, remains a factor in abundant cream availability for butter makers. Manufacturers are running busy at-or-near capacity production schedules. Unsalted butter loads for spot buyers are somewhat tight. Some contacts say overall butter supplies are tighter compared to the last couple years. Bulk butter overages range from 4 to 15 cents above market, across all regions.
FLUID MILK HIGHLIGHTS: Milk production at the farm level is variable throughout the U.S. Milk production is steady throughout the East region. Condensed skim demand remains strong in the Northeast, and contacts shared above Class prices for spot milk loads once again. Cream availability remains ample in the Northeast. In the Central region, week to week milk production is largely steady. Many contacts anticipate lighter spring flush milk supplies than last year. Cheesemakers in the region note spot milk offers have quieted, with some spot trades reported at $0.50under to $0.50-over Class III. Cream supplies remain strong and spot loads are being reported at market. F.O.B. cream multiples are 1.05- 1.20 in the East, 1.00-1.27 in the Midwest, and 0.90-1.21 in the West.