Check out the latest market report for the week of Mar. 19, 2024.
Weekly market report for the week of Mar. 19, 2024. Data compiled from state and national market sources.
Cattle
Altoona Equity Livestock: Mar. 14, 2024
FED CATTLE:
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 181.00.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 174.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 160.00 to 172.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 150.00 to 159.00.
Select, Unfinished & Heavyweight Steers & Heifers: 149.00 & down.
CULL COWS:
Higher 20% sold for: 117.00 to 129.00.
60% sold for: 93.00 to 116.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 92.00 & down.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 110.00 to 137.00.
CALVES: Sold by the head.
80% of Holstein Bull Calves 95 lbs. & up: 400.00 to 665.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 400.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 500.00 to 935.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 400.00 & down
Bonduel Equity Livestock: Mar. 18, 2024
FED CATTLE: Trending higher
High Yielding Choice Beef 165.00 to 175.00.
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: 100.00 to 146.00.
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 720.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 30.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 905.00.
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 Livestock: Mar. 14, 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: 600.00 to 800.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 150.00 & down.
Lomira Equity Livestock: Mar. 18, 2024
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 174.00 to 180.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 164.00 to 173.00.
Select, Low Yielding & Underfinished Beef Steers & Heifers: 159.00 & down.
X-bred Steers & Heifers: 164.00 to 177.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 163.00 to 168.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 149.00 to 162.00.
Low Yielding, Select & Underfinished Holstein Steers & Heifers: 100.00-146.00.
MARKET COWS:
High Yielding Cows: 115.00 to 130.00.
Cutters & Utility: 79.00 to 114.00.
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 (03/12/24 Auction): Sold by the pound.
Quality Holstein Bull Calves weighing 90-110 lbs: 550.00 to 720.00.
Light Weight Calves: 350.00 to 550.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 325.00-390.00.
Quality Beef and X-bred Bulls & Heifer Calves: Heifers 650.00-900.00; Bulls 720.00-980.00.
Poor Quality Calves: 300.00 & down
Monroe Equity Livestock: Mar. 18, 2024
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 183.50-193.50.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 170.00-183.00.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 150.00-185.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 160.00-172.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 146.00-159.50.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 145.00 and down.
Wednesday 03/13/24 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: 145.00 and down.
CULL COWS: Stronger
High Yielding Cows: 114.00 to 135.00.
Cutters & Utility: 90.00 to 113.50.
Canners & Shells: 89.50 & down.
SLAUGHTER BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 135.00 to 145.00.
Thin, Light and Overconditioned Bulls: 125.00 & down.
CALVES:Sold by the pound. Steady
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 350.00 to 690.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 310.00 & down.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 190.00-350.00.
Quality Beef & Beef X-bred Calves: bulls 995.00 & down; heifers 890.00 & down.
Reedsville Equity Livestock: Mar. 14, 2024
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 168.00 to 184.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 155.00 to 167.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 140.00 to 166.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 125.00 to 139.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 124.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
Higher 20% sold for: 105.00 to 122.00.
60% sold for: 85.00 to 104.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 84.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 95.00-131.00.
CALVES: Softer
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 500.00-620.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: Up to 200.00.
Quality Beef Calves: Up to 750.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 40.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE: Results 03/14/2024
Holstein steers under 400 lbs: 150.00 to 220.00.
Holstein steers 400 to 600 lbs: 150.00 to 210.00.
Holstein steers 600 to 800 lbs: 150.00 to 215.00.
Holstein steers over 800 lbs: 120.00 to 180.00.
Stratford Equity Livestock: Mar. 19, 2024
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 162.00-172.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00 to 161.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers & Heifers: 155.00-164.00.
Select & Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 140.00 to 154.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 140.00 and down.
CULL COWS:
Higher 20% sold for: 115.00 to 128.00.
60% sold for: 90.00 to 114.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 90.00 & down.
Good certified organic cows (for slaughter): 145.00-150.00.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 120.00 to 130.00.
Thin, Full, Horned Bulls discounted: 110.00 & down.
CALVES, sold by the head:
Good to Top Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 500.00-790.00.
Top Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 350.00 to 580.00.
Plain Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 300.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 800.00 to 1010.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 300.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: Under 400 lbs: 250.00-315.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 210.00-275.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 200.00-265.00; Over 800 lbs: 140.00-240.00.
Beef Heifers: Under 400 lbs: 225.00-310.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 200.00-280.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 180.00-245.00; Over 800 lbs: 160.00-215.00.
Holstein Steers: Under 400 lbs: 190.00-255.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 180.00-245.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 170.00-210.00; Over 800 lbs: 160.00-190.00.
Milwaukee Stockyards: Mar. 18, 2024
COWS:
No Roll Cows: 115.00 to 125.00.
High Yielding Cutters & Utility: 90.00 to 110.00.
Cutters: 75.00 to 90.00.
Canners & Shells: 65.00 & down.
HOLSTEIN STEERS:
High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers, 1400-1600 lbs: 160.00 to 166.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 155.00 to 160.00.
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 178.00.
Select Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 & down.
BULLS:
Premium Beef Bulls 1600-2000 lbs: 115.00 to 145.00.
Common to Good Bulls: 95.00 to 115.00.
REPLACEMENT CALVES:
Premium Bulls 100-120 lbs: 400.00 to 725.00.
Common to Good Bulls 80-100 lbs: 200.00 to 400.00.
Beef Bull Calves: 600.00 to 1025.00.
Beef Heifer Calves: 500.00 to 1000.00.
Dairy Heifer Calves: 100.00 to 400.00.
Boning Calves: 15.00 & down.
Premier Livestock: Mar. 18, 2024
MARKET COWS: Steady
Selling Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
High Yielding Cows: 105.00 to 132.00.
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: 154.00 to 169.00.
Low Choice & Select Holstein Steers: 140.00-153.00.
Underfinished & Mixed Grading: 139.00 & 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: 400.00-700.00.
Quality Beef Calves: 500.00 to 1010.00.
Holstein Heifer Calves, Single Birth: 200.00-490.00.
Light and off quality calves: 250.00 & down.
Fennimore Equity Livestock: Mar. 13, 2024
High Yield Slaughter Cows: 1.10-1.22/lb; Holstein Bulls & Calves: 95-120: 6.00-7.20/lb; Light Weight & Poor Calves: 2.20-4.00/lb; Beef X-Bred Calves: 7.00-9.50/lb.
National Cattle Summary: Mar. 18, 2024
For Monday in the Southern Plains and Nebraska negotiated cash trade ws at a standstill. In the Western Cornbelt negotiated cash trade was mostly inactive on light demand. Last week in the Southern Plain live FOB purchases FOB purchases traded at 186.00. Last week in Nebraska live FOB purchases traded from 187.00-188.00 with dressed delivered purchases traded from 295.00300.00. Last week in the Western Cornbelt live FOB purchases traded from 187.00 -189.00, with dressed delivered purchases at 298.00.
Dairy Cattle Summary
Reedsville Equity Livestock: Mar. 14, 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. 18, 2024
FINISHED CATTLE:
Finished Beef Steers: 180.00-190.50; Mixed Grading: 170.00-180.00.
Finished Beef Heifers: 177.00-192.50; Mixed Grading: N/A.
Finished Dairy Steers: 161.00-168.50; Silage Fed, Heavyweight, Select Grade, Lightweight: 145.00-161.00.
MARKET COWS:
Mostly: 115.00-120.00; Thin/shelly/full/overfed cows: 109.00 & down; Market Bulls: 120.00-154.00.
Bred Beef Cows & Heifers: N/A.
Calves: 95-125 lbs: 400.00-625.00; 150-250 lbs: N/A; Beef Calves: 700.00-900.00; Lighter, Weaker, Younger Calves: 375.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: under 600 lbs: 180.00-240.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: 180.00-275.00/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: 170.00-197.50; Beef Heifers: under 600 lbs: 175.00-240.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: 160.00-235.00/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: N/A.
Holstein Steers: under 400 lbs: Up to 175.00/cwt; 400-600 lbs: 207.00-225.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 182.50/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: N/A.
Eastern Corn Belt Direct, Feeder Cattle Summary (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH and KY): Mar. 15, 2024
Compared to last week: Not enough Current FOB trades last week for a trend. Demand good. Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (32.4% Steers, 67.6% 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 KY, MN.
Sheep & Lambs
Fennimore: Mar. 13, 2024
Bucks: 0.92-1.35/lb. Ewes: 0.90-1.40/lb.; Feeding Lambs (45-60 lbs): 2.20-3.15/lb; Feeding Lambs (60-80 lbs): 2.25-2.50/lb.
Johnson Creek Equity Livestock: Mar. 14, 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 Livestock: Mar. 18, 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 Livestock: Mar. 18, 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 Livestock: Mar. 19, 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-.70.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Mar. 12, 2024
Feeder Lambs: 50-70 lbs: 290.00-440.00/cwt; 70-90 lbs: 275.00-315.00/cwt; Over 90 lbs: 225.00-280.00/cwt.
Fed Lambs 125-155 lbs: Shorn: Up to 205.00/cwt; Unshorn: N/A.
Utility & Good Ewes: 125.00-175.00; Thin & Cull Ewes: 120.00 and down; Yearling Ewes: No test.
Goats
Fennimore Equity Livestock: Mar. 13, 2024
Slaughter Nannies: 1.00-1.40/lb.
Slaughter Billies: 1.50-1.95/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Dairy): 1.80-2.80/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Boer): 2.50-3.85/lb
Johnson Creek Equity Livestock: Mar. 14, 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 Livestock: Mar. 18, 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 Livestock: Mar. 18, 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. 15, 2024
Compared to last week: Early weaned pigs steady to 2.00 per head lower. Feeder pigs steady. Demand good for good offerings.
Lomira Equity Livestock: Mar. 18, 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 Livestock: Mar. 14, 2024
Butchers hogs 250# up: 40.00-55.00; 170#-249#: 40.00-65.00; Light Sows: 30.00-45.00; Heavy Sows: 25.00-48.00; Boars: 5.00-10.00; Feeder Pigs: 5.00-40.00.
Stratford Equity Livestock: Mar. 19, 2024
Butchers: 49.00-56.00; Sows: 66.00-72.00; 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. 12, 2024
Feeder Pigs: 50 lbs and under: Up to 29.00/hd; 50-60 lbs: Up to 50.00/hd; 60-80lbs: Up to 70.00/hd; 80-100 lbs: N/A; 100-150 lbs: Up to 125.00/hd.
Grains
Cargill La Crosse: Mar. 19, 2024
CORN/SOYBEANS
May: 4.3950/11.8550
July: 4.5225/12.0025
Aug: -------/11.9800
Sept: 4.6100/11.8350
Nov: -------/11.8125
Dec: 4.7325/-------
Jan.’25: ------/11.9150
Mar.: 4.8650/11.8900
May: 4.9300/11.9175
July: 4.9550/11.9775
Eggs
USDA Egg Report: Mar. 12, 2024
Midwest delivered prices are steady. Producer prices are 6 cents higher for Large, 7 cents higher for Medium and unchanged for Small. The undertone is firm. Demand ranges moderate to good. Offerings are light. Supplies are tightly balanced. The Midwest shell egg inventory decreased 4.2% compared to last week. Market activity is moderate. Breaking stock prices are steady to higher with check and undergrade prices unchanged.
Extra Large: 2.21-2.23; Large: 2.19-2.21; Medium: 2.04-2.06
Hay
Fennimore: Mar. 11, 2024
Large Square Hay: 180.00-250.00/ton; Lg. Round Dairy Quality Hay: 180.00-210.00/ton; Sm. Square Hay:4.00-4.75/bale; Corn Fodder: 25.00-45.00/bale; Dry Cow Hay: 130.00-210.00/ton; Large Square Straw: 50.00/bale.
Lomira Equity Livestock: Mar. 18, 2024
Every Friday at noon:
Small Squares Hay: 2.00-5.00/bale; Large Squares Hay Alfalfa: 80.00-100.00/bale; Large Squares Mix: 50.00-70.00/bale; Large Square Grass: 40.00-60.00/bale; Large Rounds Alfalfa Quality: 60.00-75.00/bale; Large Rounds Mix: 40.00-60.00/bale; Large Rounds Grass: 40.00-50.00/bale; Small Wheat Straw: 1.00-2.00/bale.
Stratford Equity Livestock: Mar. 19, 2024
Sale first and third Tuesday each month (as of 03/19/24):
Large Square grass mix: 80.00-90.00/bale.
Large Square Hay Bales, 2nd and 3rd Crop Alfalfa: 90.00-100.00/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. 13, 2024
Hay, lg. Square: Premium: 235.00-240.00/ton; Good: 150.00-215.00/ton; Wrapped; Hay, Lg. Round: Good: 115.00-165.00/ton; Fair: 100.00-115.00/ton; Wrapped 85.00-145.00/ton.; Hay, small square: Good: $4.00/bale.
Straw, lg. square: Good, 35.00-57.00/bale; Sm. square: Good: 4.25/bale.
Grass, lg. square: N/A; Lg. round: Good: 110.00/ton; Sm. square: N/A.
Reedsville Equity Livestock: Mar. 13, 2024
High Quality 1st Crop Hay: 160.00-210.00/ton; Low Quality Hay: 100.00/ton & down; High Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay: 180.00-240.00/ton; High Quality Straw: 80.00-150.00/ton.
Dairy
Weekly Animal Feed, Central U.S.: Mar. 14, 2024
The Central dry whey price range narrowed, while the mostly series shifted lower on both poles. According to some Midwestern end users, trading activity has been somewhat active in the countryside. Some say offers have begun to stream in more regularly than during previous weeks. Milk availability for Class III production has seasonally increased. Animal feed whey prices are unchanged. Those spot markets have been a little slower than edible grade markets in recent weeks.
- 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: .3900 - .4600; Mostly Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .4300- .4500.
Dairy Market Review
Mar. 15, 2024
BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $2.8225. The weekly average for Grade AA is $2.8290 (+$0.0175).
CHEESE: Barrels closed at $1.4425 and 40# blocks at $1.4700. The weekly average for barrels is $1.4370, (-$0.1490) and blocks, $1.4495 (-$0.0425).
CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Farm level milk production continues to grow in the East region. Contacts share Class III spot milk demand is growing as spring holidays inch closer. Contacts share cheese inventories are ample. Barrel demand has dropped, and the block/barrel inversion on industry cash exchanges resolved as a result. Retail demand is steady to stronger. Demand for cheese in the Central region is growing. Contacts suggest increased demand is due to both bearish cheese prices as well as seasonal holiday demand. Milk availability is growing, and cheese production schedules are steady. Spot milk prices range from $3.50-under to $.50-over Class III.
BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: Retail demand is strong to steady across the country. However, demand to secure loads for upcoming spring holidays vary. For the West, contacts note earlier spring holidays are encouraging more consistent Q1 activity. For the Central, contacts note customer interest has been slower to pick up ahead of the spring holiday season. Some stakeholders say food service is weakening in the West region. Some distributors indicate buying interest is stronger from Canadian purchasers. Cream remains readily available for most of the nation. Butter makers are running strong to steady production schedules.
FLUID MILK HIGHLIGHTS: Throughout much of the country, milk production is strong or strengthening. In the South Central portion of the Midwest, contacts notes milk production has been under pressure due to air quality concerns. Educational institutions preparing for spring break have contributed to lighter Class I demand to varying degress in each region. Contacts in the Mid- Atlantic and Southeast report strong demand for Class II milk as spring draws near. Contacts in the Midwest relayed spot milk trading at similar prices to last week, with prices generally ranging from $3.50-under to $0.50-over Class, but some have relayed offers as low as $6 under Class III. Cream volumes are available in all three regions. Cream multiple ranges for all Classes are: 1.05 - 1.27 in the East, 1.14 - 1.27 in the Midwest, and 1.00 - 1.21 in the West.