Check out the latest market report for the week of Mar. 12, 2024.
Weekly market report for the week of Mar. 12, 2024. Data compiled from state and national market sources.
Cattle
Altoona Equity Market: Mar. 07, 2024
FED CATTLE:
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 175.00.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 148.00 to 170.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 154.00 to 164.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 145.00 to 153.00.
Select, Unfinished & Heavyweight Steers & Heifers: 144.00 & down.
CULL COWS:
Higher 20% sold for: 114.00 to 130.00.
60% sold for: 95.00 to 113.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 94.00 & down.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 105.00 to 133.00.
CALVES: Sold by the head.
80% of Holstein Bull Calves 95 lbs. & up: 400.00 to 670.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 320.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 500.00 to 900.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 400.00 & down
Bonduel Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
FED CATTLE: Trending higher
High Yielding Choice Beef 165.00 to 175.50.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 140.00 to 166.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 100.00 to 140.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 99.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Trending higher
Higher 20% sold for: 100.00 to 142.00.
60% sold for: 70.00 to 99.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 70.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 90.00 to 130.00.
Thin, Full Bulls, over a ton discounted: 90.00 & down.
CALVES: Sold by the pound. Steady
Holstein Bull Calves: 250.00 to 660.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 30.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 795.00.
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: Mar. 11, 2024
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 176.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 to 155.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 152.00 to 162.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 130.00 to 152.00.
Select & Unfinished Cattle: 120.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
20% sold for: 100.00 to 119.00.
60% sold for: 85.00 to 100.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 85.00 & 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: Mar. 11, 2024
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 172.00 to 180.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 163.00 to 171.00.
Select, Low Yielding & Underfinished Beef Steers & Heifers: 155.00 & down.
X-bred Steers & Heifers: 162.00 to 175.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 159.00 to 165.00.
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: 109.00 to 120.00.
Cutters & Utility: 79.00 to 108.00.
Canners & Shells: 40.00-75.00
MARKET BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 105.00 to 140.00.
Thin, Light & Over-Conditioned Bulls: 95.00 & down.
CALVES (03/05/24 Auction): Sold by the pound.
Quality Holstein Bull Calves weighing 90-110 lbs: 550.00 to 700.00.
Light Weight Calves: 350.00 to 550.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 275.00-350.00.
Quality Beef and X-bred Bulls & Heifer Calves: Heifers 650.00-890.00; Bulls 720.00-950.00.
Poor Quality Calves: 300.00 & down
Monroe Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
FED CATTLE: Stronger
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 183.00-192.50.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 170.00-182.50.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 162.00-188.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 164.00-173.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 146.00-163.50.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 145.00 and down.
Wednesday 03/07/24 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: No test.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: No test.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 140.00 and down.
CULL COWS: Stronger
High Yielding Cows: 114.00 to 130.00.
Cutters & Utility: 85.00 to 113.50.
Canners & Shells: 84.50 & down.
SLAUGHTER BULLS: Stronger
High Yielding Bulls: 150.00 to 167.50.
Thin, Light and Overconditioned Bulls: 138.00 & down.
CALVES: Sold by the pound. Steady
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 400.00 to 700.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 395.00 & down.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 200.00-400.00.
Quality Beef & Beef X-bred Calves: bulls 990.00 & down; heifers 900.00 & down.
Reedsville Equity Market: Mar. 07, 2024
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 160.00 to 175.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 142.00 to 159.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 140.00 to 165.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 125.00 to 139.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 124.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
Higher 20% sold for: 105.00 to 123.00.
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: Steady
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 500.00-670.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: Up to 200.00.
Quality Beef Calves: Up to 780.00.
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: Mar. 12, 2024
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 162.00-171.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 161.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers & Heifers: 155.00-164.50.
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 130.00.
60% sold for: 85.00 to 104.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 85.00 & down.
Good certified organic cows (for slaughter): 145.00-155.50.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 115.00 to 125.00.
Thin, Full, Horned Bulls discounted: 110.00 & down.
CALVES, sold by the head:
Good to Top Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 500.00-710.00.
Top Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 300.00 to 520.00.
Plain Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 200.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 700.00 to 995.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 300.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: Under 400 lbs: 210.00-305.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 200.00-292.50; 600 to 800 lbs: 180.00-245.00; Over 800 lbs: 140.00-200.00.
Beef Heifers: Under 400 lbs: 225.00-305.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 190.00-250.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 170.00-215.00; Over 800 lbs: 150.00-175.00.
Holstein Steers: Under 400 lbs: 190.00-275.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 180.00-272.50; 600 to 800 lbs: 170.00-220.00; Over 800 lbs: 160.00-200.00.
Milwaukee Stockyards: Mar. 11, 2024
COWS:
No Roll Cows: 110.00 to 122.00.
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 162.00.
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: 175.00 to 180.00.
Select Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 & down.
BULLS:
Premium Beef Bulls 1600-2000 lbs: 110.00 to 125.00.
Common to Good Bulls: 90.00 to 110.00.
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 975.00.
Beef Heifer Calves: 500.00 to 950.00.
Dairy Heifer Calves: 100.00 to 350.00.
Boning Calves: 15.00 & down.
Premier Livestock: Mar. 11, 2024
MARKET COWS: Steady
Selling Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
High Yielding Cows: 110.00 to 120.00.
Most Market Cows: 90.00 to 109.00.
Low Yielding Cows: 89.00 and down.
FED MARKET STEERS AND HEIFERS: Steady
High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 152.00 to 164.00.
Low Choice & Select Holstein Steers: 145.00-151.00.
Underfinished & Mixed Grading: 144.00 & down.
MARKET BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 115.00 to 139.00.
Plainer Quality Bulls: 114.00 & down.
BABY CALVES: Steady
Most Holstein Bull Calves: 500.00-660.00.
Quality Beef Calves: 600.00 to 950.00.
Holstein Heifer Calves, Single Birth: 150.00-480.00.
Light and off quality calves: 200.00 & down.
Fennimore: Mar. 06, 2024
High Yield Slaughter Cows: 1.11-1.19/lb; Holstein Bulls & Calves: 95-120: 550.00-670/.00; Light Weight & Poor Calves: 200.00-410.00; Beef X-Bred Calves: 650.00-880.00.
National Cattle Summary: Mar. 11 2024
For Friday in Kansas negotiated cash trade was moderate on moderate to good demand. Last week live FOB purchases traded 2.00 higher at 185.00, with a few up to 186.00. For Friday in Nebraska negotiated cash trade was slow on light demand. The most recent market was Thursday with live FOB purchases from 185.00-186.00, mostly at 185.00, with dressed delivered purchases traded from 292.00-300.00. For Friday in the Western Cornbelt negotiated cash trade was slow on light demand. The most recent market was Thursday with live FOB purchases from 185.00 -186.00 with a few up to 187.00, with dressed delivered purchases at 292.00.
Dairy Cattle Summary
Reedsville Equity Market: Mar. 07, 2024
As of 03/07/24
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: Mar. 11, 2024
FINISHED CATTLE:
Finished Beef Steers: 179.00-188.50; Mixed Grading: 141.00-178.00.
Finished Beef Heifers: 179.00-188.50; Mixed Grading: 150.00-178.00.
Finished Dairy Steers: 151.00-1894.00; Silage Fed, Heavyweight, Select Grade, Lightweight: 136.00-154.00.
MARKET COWS:
Mostly: 90.00-109.00; Thin/shelly/full/overfed cows: 89.00 & down; Market Bulls: 124.00-150.00.
Bred Beef Cows & Heifers: N/A.
Calves: 95-125 lbs: 440.00-580.00; 150-250 lbs: 155.00-350.00; Beef Calves: 600.00-950.00; Lighter, Weaker, Younger Calves: 420.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: under 600 lbs: Up to 320.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 222.50/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 210.00; Beef Heifers: under 600 lbs: Up to 370.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: N/A; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 167.50/cwt.
Holstein Steers: under 400 lbs: Up to 255.00/cwt; 400-600 lbs: Up to 220.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 192.50/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: N/A.
Eastern Corn Belt Direct, Feeder Cattle Summary (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH and KY): Mar. 08, 2024
Compared to last week: Not enough Current FOB trades this week for a trend. Demand good. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (8.3% Dairy Steers, 83.4% Heifers, 8.3% Dairy Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 100%. 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. Livestock reported this week originated from IN, KY.
Sheep & Lambs
Fennimore: Mar. 06, 2024
Bucks: 0.92-1.21/lb. Ewes: 0.70-1.20/lb.; Choice Lambs: 2.15-2.45/lb; Feeding Lambs: 2.75-3.05/lb.; 70-95 lbs.: N/A.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
Lambs: 100 lbs and up: 120.00-230.00; 100 lbs and down: 110.00-250.00; Ewes: 75.00-110.00; Bucks: 70.00-115.00.
Lomira Equity Market: Mar. 11, 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: Mar. 11, 2024
As of 02/28/24: Finished Market Lambs: 1.75-2.10; Feeder Lambs: 2.65-3.00/lb.; Cull Ewes: 1.00-1.40; Cull Rams: 1.00-1.30.
Stratford Equity Market: Mar. 12, 2024
As of 03/06/24: Feeder Lambs: 1.20-1.50; Market Lambs: .90-1.30; Cull Ewes: 0.25-.30; Cull Rams: .60-.80.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Mar. 05, 2024
Feeder Lambs: 50-70 lbs: 260.00-330.00/cwt; 70-90 lbs: 260.00-305.00/cwt; Over 90 lbs: 230.00-250.00/cwt.
Fed Lambs 125-155 lbs: Shorn: 184.00-198.00/cwt; Unshorn: N/A.
Utility & Good Ewes: 100.00-160.00; Thin & Cull Ewes: 97.50 and down; Yearling Ewes: No test.
Goats
Fennimore: Mar. 05, 2024
Slaughter Nannies: 1.10-1.40/lb.
Slaughter Billies: 1.30-1.70/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Dairy): 2.40-2.75/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Boer): 3.40-3.90/lb
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
Young Goats 80 lbs & up: 280.00 & down
Young Goats 60-80 lbs: 250.00 & down.
Young Goats under 60 lbs: 250.00 & down.
Cull Goats: 220.00 & down.
Lomira Equity Market: Mar. 11, 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: Mar. 11, 2024
As of 02/28/24: Goats sell by the head.
Dairy Goats 40-80 lbs: 60-120.
Meat Goats 40-80 lbs: No test.
Meat Goats over 80 lbs: No test.
Cull Nannies & Billies: 200.00 & down.
Hogs
USDA Hog Report: Mar. 08, 2024
Compared to last week: Early weaned pigs are steady and feeder pigs are 7.00 higher. Demand is good for moderate offerings.
Lomira Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
Feeder Pigs: 40-60 lbs: Call for availability.
Hogs: Heavy Sows: 44.00-46.00; Light Sows: 37.00-43.00; Boars: 10.00-16.00; Butcher Hogs: 50.00.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
Butchers hogs 250# up: 40.00-55.00; 170#-249#: 40.00-65.00; Light Sows: 30.00-45.00; Heavy Sows: 25.00-45.00; Boars: 5.00-10.00; Feeder Pigs: 5.00-40.00.
Stratford Equity Market: Mar. 12, 2024
Butchers: 49.00-56.00; Sows: 55.00-60.00; Boars: 24.00 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: Mar. 5, 2024
Feeder Pigs: 50 lbs and under: Up to 57.50/hd; 50-60 lbs: N/A; 60-80lbs: Up to 75.00/hd; 80-100 lbs: Up to 102.50/hd; 100-120 lbs: Up to 170.00/hd.
Grains
Cargill La Crosse: Mar. 12, 2024
CORN/SOYBEANS
Mar.: 4.3450/11.7600
May: 4.4075/11.8900
July: 4.5275/12.0150
Aug: -------/11.9775
Sept: 4.5950/11.8500
Nov: -------/11.8200
Dec: 4.7125/-------
Jan.’25: ------/11.9225
Mar.: 4.8350/11.8775
May: 4.9075/11.8925
Eggs
USDA Egg Report: Mar. 12, 2024
Midwest delivered prices are unchanged. Producer prices are unchanged for Large and Small while 5 cents higher for Medium. The undertone is steady. Demand is light to moderate. Offerings and supplies are moderate to available. The Midwest shell egg inventory increased 7.5% compared to a week ago. Market activity is moderate. All breaking stock prices are steady. The undertone is steady. Offerings are light. Demand is mostly moderate. Supplies are moderate to instances light. Schedules are full-time to reduced. Market activity is moderate.
Extra Large: 2.19-2.21; Large: 2.17-2.19; Medium: 1.81-1.83
Hay
Fennimore: Mar. 01, 2024
Large Square Hay: 190.00-250.00/ton; Lg. Round Dairy Quality Hay: 165.00-200.00/ton; Sm. Square Hay:3.50-5.25/bale; Corn Fodder: 25.00-45.00/bale; Bean Fodder: 30.00/bale; Large Square Straw: 50.00/bale.
Lomira Equity Market: Mar. 11, 2024
Every Friday at noon:
Small Squares Hay: 2.00-6.00/bale; Large Squares Hay Alfalfa: 90.00-120.00/bale; Large Squares Mix: 50.00-60.00/bale; Large Square Grass: 40.00-70.00/bale; Large Rounds Alfalfa Quality: 70.00-90.00/bale; Large Rounds Mix: 50.00-70.00/bale; Large Rounds Grass: 40.00-60.00/bale; Small Wheat Straw: 1.00-2.00/bale.
Stratford Equity Market: Mar. 12, 2024
Sale first and third Tuesday each month (as of 03/05/24):
Large Square grass mix: 110.00-130.00/bale.
Large Square Hay Bales, 2nd and 3rd Crop Alfalfa: 120.00-130.00/bale.
Large Square Bales, Rye Straw: 70.00-80.00/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: Mar. 06, 2024
Hay, lg. Square: Premium: 250.00/ton; Good: 150.00-210.00/ton; Fair: 135.00-185.00/ton; Wrapped: $45.00-$60.00/ton; Hay, Lg. Round: Good: 125.00-140.00/ton; Fair: 100.00-115.00/ton; Wrapped 105.00-140.00/ton.
Straw, lg. square: Good, 35.00-41.00/bale; Sm. square: Good: 4.25/bale.
Grass, lg. square: N/A; Lg. round: N/A; Sm. square: N/A.
Reedsville Equity Market: Mar. 06, 2024
High Quality 1st Crop Hay: 160.00-210.00/ton; Low Quality Hay: 100.00/ton & down; High Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay: 180.00-250.00/ton; High Quality Straw: 80.00-160.00/ton.
Dairy
Weekly Animal Feed, Central U.S.: Mar. 07, 2024
Dry whey prices moved lower in most facets this week. Large volume trading continues to put pressure on the low end of the range. That said, processors in the Midwest say availability is still somewhat snug, specifically for recently processed loads. They do relay the possibility of decreasing offer prices, to incentivize customers, based on market activity. Animal feed whey trading was busier this week. Spot prices dropped on both ends of the range. Whey market tones are bearish to uncertain.
- Prices for Central U.S., All First Sales, FOB, Conventional and Non-Edible Dry Whey Price Range Animal Feed, $/lb: .3000 - .3500.
- Prices for Central U.S., All First Sales, FOB, Extra Grade & Grade A, Conventional and Edible Dry Whey Price Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .3750 - .4800; Mostly Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .4400- .4600.
Dairy Market Review: Mar. 08, 2024
BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $2.8025. The weekly average for Grade AA is $2.8115 (+$0.0100).
CHEESE: Barrels closed at $1.4875 and 40# blocks at $1.4600. The weekly average for barrels is $1.5860, (-$0.0760) and blocks, $1.4920 (-$0.1020).
CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Cheesemakers in the Central region share cheese demand has already begun to pick up, with strong sales expected by the end of March. Plant downtime, due to scheduled maintenance, has freed up some milk supplies. Spot milk prices were reported as low as $3.50-under Class III. In the West, Class III spot milk load availability varies from area to area. Cheese manufacturers relay steady production schedules. Some contacts say they are primarily making cheese to fulfill contractual obligations. Spot loads of cheese are available for buyers.
BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: Retail and food service demand vary across the country. For the Central region, overall butter demand is noted as steady, and contacts relayed seasonally moderate retail demand. Cream is readily available throughout the nation, but some stakeholders say cream is starting to be tighter than in recent weeks. Butter churning schedules are lighter in the Central region and strong in the rest of the country. Some butter makers note tight unsalted inventory for Q1/Q2 spot purchasing. Bulk butter overages range from 3 to 12 cents above market, across all regions.
FLUID MILK HIGHLIGHTS: Milk production throughout the country is generally trending seasonally higher. Some areas in the West are reporting steadiness, but in other Western locales and throughout Central and Eastern states, weather conducive to cow comfort is pushing more milk and components into industry channels. Cheesemakers in the Upper Midwest reported spot milk prices from $3.50-under Class to $1-over. F.O.B. cream multiples are 1.05-1.27 in the East, 1.12-1.27 in the Midwest, and 1.00-1.21 in the West.