Wisconsin State Farmer (2024)

Cattle

Stratford Equity

Market Report

March 30, 2016

FED CATTLE: Stronger.

Choice Beef: 105.00 to 125.00.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 112.00 to 117.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 103.00 to 111.00.

Unfinished: 102.00 and down.

CULL COWS: Steady.

20 percent: 75.00 to 91.00.

60 percent: 63.00 to 74.00.

20 percent sold: Below 62.00.

DIRECT PRICE C/C COWS: Call for price.

Cows Going Back Out For Feeding Purposes: 75.00 to 90.00.

BULLS: Stronger.

Most Bulls: 95.00 to 116.00.

Thin, full, over a ton: Below 95.00.

CALVES (per head): Stronger.

80 percent of Bull Calves: 250.00 to 345.00.

Top Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 175.00 to 460.00.

Plain Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: Below 175.00.

Quality Beef Calves: 275.00 to 500.00.

Light and Poor Quality: 150.00 and down.

Started Holstein Calves, 150-290#: 300.00 to 555.00/hd.

FEEDER CATTLE: Steady.

Beef Steers: Under 400: no test; 400 to 600: 148.00 to 194.00; 600 to 800: 134.00 to 167.00; over 800: 125.00 to 142.00.

Beef Heifers: Under 400: no test; 400 to 600: 135.00 to 161.00; 600 to 800: 120.00 to 143.00; over 800: 115.00 to 131.00.

Holstein Steers: Under 400: 135.00 to 205.00; 400 to 600: 120.00 to 155.00; 600 to 800: 110.00 to 142.00; over 800: 100.00 to 130.00.

Bred Beef Cows: 1,100.00 to 1,800.00.

Premier Livestock & Auctions

March 24, 2016

Major snow event, smaller run of cattle. 520 head consigned.

Top Dairy Cows: 2400, 2300, 2300, 2275-Gregory Horning, Granton; 2300, 2250-Alvin Zimmerman, Thorp; 2300, 2250, 2200, 2200-Alan Andrus, Birnamwood.

Springers: Up to 1,900.00. Mostly 1,500.00 to 1,850.00. Holstein Open Heifers: 1.25-1.70/lb.

Package Fancy Jerseys, 15 head, 324 lbs. @870/head. Holstein Heifer Calves: 150-300. Top: 450; Holstein Bull Calves: 225-325/head; Choice Holstein Steers: Up to 1.18. Cull Cows: Mostly .64-.79. Top: .84.

Fennimore

March 30, 2016

Slaughter Cows: 60-67/lb.; Holstein Bull Calves, 95-120#: 240-305/lb. Top: 335.00; Lightweight & Poor Calves: 210/lb. & down; Holstein Heifer Calves: 275-345/lb.

Monroe

March 30, 2016

FED CATTLE: March 28st Sale.

High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 135.00 to 140.00.

Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 to 134.00.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 115.00 to 118.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 108.00 to 114.00.

Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 95.00 to 105.00.

Wednesday 03/30/16 Sale:

High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: No test.

Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: No test.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 115.00 to 119.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 108.00 to 114.00.

Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 95.00 to 105.00.

CULL COWS:

20 Percent Sold From: 75.00 to 85.00.

60 Percent Sold From: 58.00 to 74.00.

20 Percent Sold From: 57.00 and down.

CULL BULLS:

Most Bulls: 100.00 to 105.00.

Common: 99.00 and down.

CALVES:

80 Percent of Holstein Bull Calves Brought From: 250.00 to 340.00.

Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 200.00 to 300.00.

Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 400.00.

Milwaukee Stockyards

March 30, 2016

Cows:

No Roll-White Cows: 73 to 78

High Yielding Cutters & Utility Cutters: 64 to 72

Canners & Shells: 55 to 63

Holstein Steers: Up to 50

High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers, 1300-1500#: 120 to 124

Choice Holstein Steers: 105 to 119

Select Steers: 95 to 105

Unfinished Holstein Steers: Up to 90

Beef Cattle:

Prime Angus Beef 1200-1500#: 126 to 128

Choice Steers & Heifers: 120 to 125

Select Beef Steers & Heifers: 110 to 120

Bulls:

Premium Beef Bulls 1600-2050#: Up to 100

Common to Good Bulls: 85 to 95

Replacement Calves:

Premium Bulls 90-120#: 200 to 310

Common to Good Bulls, 80-120#: 100 to 200

Premium Heifers: Up to 250

Common to Good Heifers: 75 to 150

Boning Calves: Up to 75

Bonduel

March 30, 2016

FED CATTLE: Steady.

High Yielding Choice Beef: 117.00 to 128.00.

Choice Beef: 96.00 to 116.00.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 120.00 to 126.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 96.00 to 119.00.

Unfinished: Up to 95.00.

COWS: Steady.

20 percent: 60.00 to 70.00.

60 percent: 71.00 to 80.00.

20 percent: Up to 60.00.

BULLS: Steady.

Most Bulls: Up to 111.00.

Thin, Full, bulls over a ton discounted: up to 85.00.

REPLACEMENT CALVES: Steady.

Holstein Bull Calves: 200.00 to 300.00.

Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 150.00 to 250.00.

Quality Beef Calves: Up to 460.00.

Light & Poor Quality: Up to 100.00.

FEEDER CATTLE:

Call for pricing.

Johnson Creek

March 28, 2016

FED CATTLE: Steady.

High Yielding Choice Beef: 116.00 to 125.00.

Choice Beef: 112.00 to 115.00.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 115.00 to 122.00.

Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 109.00 to 114.00.

Select and Unfinished Cattle: 96.00 and down.

COWS: Steady.

20 percent: 74.00 to 82.00. Top: 84.00.

60 percent: 67.00 to 75.00.

20 percent: 54.00 and down.

BULLS: Steady.

Most Bulls: 80.00 to 90.00.

Thin and full Bulls: 70.00 and below.

REPLACEMENT CALVES: Steady.

80 percent of Holstein Bull Calves: 250.00 to 315.00.

Quality Dairy Heifer Calves: 150.00 to 200.00.

Quality Beef Calves: 340.00 to 390.00.

Light & Poor Quality: 100.00 and down.

Lomira

March 30, 2016

FED CATTLE: Steady.

High Yielding Choice Beef: 125.00 to 130.00.

Choice Beef: 119.00 to 124.00.

Selects, Low Yielding, Beef Steers & Heifers: 115.00 and down.

High Yielding Choice/Strictly Prime Holstein Steers: 121.00 to 125.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 108.00 to 120.00.

Unfinished: 105.00 and down.

COWS: Steady.

20 percent: 76.00 to 82.00.

70 percent:63.00 to 75.00.

10 percent: 60.00 and down.

BULLS: Steady.

Most Bulls: 92.00 to 110.00.

(thin, full and bulls over a ton discounted): 80.00 and down.

REPLACEMENT CALVES:

Quality Calves: 225.00 to 330.00.

Lighter Weight Calves: 175.00 to 275.00

Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 225.00 to 300.00.

Quality Beef Calves: 325.00 to 475.00.

Poor Quality: 100.00 and down.

Marion

March 28, 2016

FED CATTLE:

High Yielding Choice Beef: 125.00 to 131.00.

Choice Beef: 115.00 to 124.00.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 116.00 to 124.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 106.00 to 115.00.

Select or Unfinished: 85.00 to 100.00.

COWS:

20 percent: 70.00 to 80.00.

60 percent:50.00 to 69.00.

20 percent: 49.00 and down.

BULLS:

Most Bulls: 90.00 to 104.00.

REPLACEMENT CALVES:

Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 100.00 to 200.00.

Quality Beef Calves: 150.00 to 300.00.

Light & Poor Quality Calves: 100.00 and down.

Good Quality Bull Calves, 95-120 lbs: 180.00 to 295.00.

Second Cut Bull Calves (Young, etc. 95-120 lbs): 50.00 to 150.00.

Reedsville

March 29, 2016

FED CATTLE: Steady.

High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 121.00 to 130.00.

Choice Beef Steer & Heifers: 108.00 to 120.00.

High Yielding Choice Holstein Heifers: 118.00 to 128.00.

Choice Holstein Steers: 105.00 to 117.00.

Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 100.00 and down.

Cull Cows: Steady.

20% Sold From: 72.00 to 82.00. Overnight cows to 85.00.

60% Sold From: 51.00 to 71.00.

20% Sold From : 50.00 & down.

Cull Bulls: Steady.

Most Bulls: 80.00 to 104.00.

Calves: Steady.

80% of Holstein Bull Calves: 180.00 to 320.00.

Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: Up to 250.00.

Quality Beef Calves: Up to 410.00.

Light and Poor Quality Calves: 40.00 to 80.00.

Feeder Cattle: 03/10/16 – next sale is April 14th at noon.

Holstein Steers Under 400#: 135.00 to 170.00.

Holstein Steers 400 to 600#: 125.00 to 155.00.

Holstein Steers 600 to 800#: 105.00 to 130.00.

Holstein Steers Over 800#: 120.00 and down.

National Cattle

Summary

Week ending

April 1, 2016

Slaughter cattle traded mostly 2.00-4.00 lower. Dressed sales in Nebraska traded 3.00-4.00 lower. Cattle futures fell hard at the beginning of the week and then traded more towards a steady level by week's end. Beef prices fell through the week, thus packers moved bids lower. Boxed Beef prices Friday afternoon averaged 213.02 down 6.61 from last Friday. The Choice/Select spread is 12.18. Slaughter cattle on a national basis for negotiated cash trades through Friday afternoon totaled about 55,582 head. Last week's total head count was 52,362 head.

Midwest Direct Markets:

Live Basis: Steers and Heifers: 133.00-134.00.

Dressed Basis: Steers and Heifers 214.00-215.00.

South Plains Direct Markets:

Live Basis: Steers and Heifers 132.00-133.00.

Dairy Cattle Summary

Stratford

March 30, 2016

Top Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 1,575.00 to 1,950.00. Top Month: 2,100.00.

Plainer Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 1,000.00 to 1,550.00.

Good Quality Short Bred Heifers: 950.00 to 1,425.00.

Good Quality Springing and Recently Fresh Cows: 1,400.00 to 1,950.00. Top Month: 2,650.00.

Good Bred Back Milking Cows: 1,300.00 to 1,850.00.

Plain Quality and Common Cows: 1,200.00 and down.

Holstein Open Heifers, 350-550#: 550.00 to 975.00.

Holstein Open Heifers, 550-750#: 700.00 to 1,125.00.

Holstein Open Heifers, 750-900#: 800.00 to 1,225.00.

Reedsville

March 29, 2016

Top Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 1,250.00 to 1,650.00.

Plainer Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 1,200.00 and down.

Good Quality Shortbred Heifers: 1,000.00 to 1,300.00.

Good Quality Springing & Recently Fresh Cows: 1,200.00 to 1,500.00.

Good Bred Back Milking Cows: 1,100.00 to 1,500.00.

Plain Quality and Common Cows: 800.00 to 1,050.00.

Dehorned & Vaccinated Open Heifers, 350 to 550#: 400.00 to 650.00.

Dehorned & Vaccinated Open Heifers, 550 to 750#:500.00 to 850.00.

Dehorned & Vaccinated Open Heifers, 750 to 950#: 700.00 to 1,000.00.

Central Livestock

Zumbrota, MN

March 30, 2016

FEEDER CATTLE

Fed Beef Steers: 123.00-134.25; Mixed Grading & Lightweight: 100.00-122.00.

Fed Beef Heifers: 118.00-133.00; Mixed Grading & Heavyweight: 100.00-117.00.

Fed Holstein Steers: 118.00-126.50; Silage Fed, Heavyweight, Select Grade, Lightweight: 88.00-117.00.

MARKET COWS

Brought Mostly: 70.00-88.25; Thin, Shelly, Full, Overfed: 30.00-69.00; Market Bulls: 78.00-110.00.

Eastern Corn Belt Direct

Weekly Feeder Cattle

(Illinois, Indiana,

Michigan and Ohio)

April 1, 2016

Compared to last week: Feeder steers and heifers not established. Many producers are gearing up for planting season causing livestock movement to slow down. Prices based on net weights FOB after a 3 percent shrink or equivalent and 5-10 cent slide on calves and 4-6 cent slide on yearlings from base weights. Supply included 100 percent over 600 lbs; 0 percent heifers. Delivered prices include freight, commissions and other expenses. Current sales are up to 14 days delivery.

Sheep & Lamb

Internet Lamb Auction:

March 24, 2016

Sales on Thursday, March 24, 2016

Compared to last sale: Slaughter lambs traded steady to the last auction reported on March 10, 2016. Slaughter lambs sale FOB w/overnight shrink. The state identified is the state of origin. Prices quoted per cwt. Current delivery unless otherwise noted.

Shorn Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 1-3 130-170 lbs 113.00 Old Crop (OR).

Shorn Slaughter Lambs Choice and Prime 1-3

Head Wt Range Ave Wt Price Range Ave Price Delivery

635 130-170 150.00 113.00 113.00 Current FOB (Old Crop)OR

Monroe

Livestock Market Report

March 30, 2016

Finished Market Lambs: 115.00 to 130.00.

Feeder Lambs: 150.00 to 210.00.

Ewes: 95.00 and down.

Ram: 95.00 and down.

Johnson Creek

March 28, 2016

Finished Market Lambs: 120.00 to 130.00.

Feeder Lambs: 160.00 to 195.00.

Ewes: 60.00 to 85.00.

Bucks: 70.00 to 80.00.

Lomira

March 30, 2016

Finished Market Lambs: 120.00 to 130.00.

Feeder Lambs: 175.00 to 225.00.

Ewes: 50.00 to 65.00.

Bucks: 50.00 to 60.00.

Fennimore

March 30, 2016

Bucks & Ewes: 40-50/lb.; Choice Lambs: 125-130/lb.; Feeding Lambs: 120-130/lb.

Marion

March 28, 2016

Finished Market Lambs: N/A; Feeder Lambs: N/A; Ewes: 30.00-40.00; Rams: 30.00-50.00.

Central Livestock Assoc.

Zumbrota, MN

March 30, 2016

Feeder Lambs: 50-70 lbs: 140.00 to 220.00/cwt; 70-90 lbs: 130.00 to 170.00.

Fed Lambs 110-145 lbs: Shorn: 120.00 to 125.00; Unshorn: 120.00 to 125.00.

Utility and Good Ewes: 50.00 to 60.00; Thin and Cull Ewes: 40.00 to 50.00.

Goats

Monroe

March 30, 2016

Dairy Goats 40 - 70#: 70.00 to 150.00 per hd.; Boer Goats 35-70#: 75.00 to 155.00 per hd.; Fat Goats 70# and over: 120.00 to 175.00 per hd. ; Cull Nannies and Billies: 240.00 & down per hd.

Johnson Creek

March 28, 2016

Young Goats, 60-80#: 220-260; Young Goats, 40-60#: 200-250; Cull Goats: 125.00 & down.

Lomira

March 30, 2016

Fed Goats: 120.00 to 140.00; Feeder Goats: 150.00 to 200.00 dairy kids, 200.00 to 250.00 meat kids

Cull Goats: 100.00 to 140.00.

Fennimore

March 30, 2016

Slaughter Goats: 30-70/lb.; Slaughter Kids (Dairy): 150/lb.; Slaughter Kids (Boer): 170-200/lb.

Hogs

April 1, 2016

TRENDS COMPARED TO LAST WEEK: Early weaned pigs 1.00 per head lower. All feeder pigs 4.00 per head lower. Demand moderate for moderate offerings. Receipts include 41% formulated prices.

Stratford Equity

Livestock Market Report

March 30, 2016

Butchers: 45.00 to 54.00.

Sows: 25.00 to 42.00.

Boars: 15.00 and down.

Feeder Pigs: 20.00 to 35.00/head.

Johnson Creek Equity

March 28, 2016

Butchers: 42.00 to 48.00.

Light Sows: 30.00 to 40.00.

Heavy Sows: 38.00 to 48.00.

Boars: 10.00 to 20.00.

Feeder Pigs: 15.00 to 40.00.

Marion Equity

March 28, 2016

Butchers: 30.00 to 37.00.

Light Sows: 30.00 to 35.00.

Heavy Sows: 30.00 to 35.00.

Boars: 10.00 to 25.00.

Feeder Pigs: No test.

Lomira

March 30, 2016

Feeder Pigs: Steady.

40-50 lbs: 55.00 to 75.00/hd.

50-60 lbs: 50.00 to 80.00/hd.

Heavy Sows: 34.00 to 38.00.

Light Sows: 31.00 to 34.00.

Boars: 15.00.

Butcher Hogs: 42.00 to 45.00.

Central Livestock Assoc.

Zumbrota, MN

March 30, 2016

Market Hogs: 230 to 280#: 41.00; 280-290#: 40.00; 290-300#: 39.00.

Market Sows: Under 450 lbs: 32.00/cwt; 450-500#: 33.00; Over 500 lbs.: 34.00 to 35.00.

Boars: Under 300 lbs: 16.00/cwt; over 300 lbs: 11.00/cwt.

Grains

Cargill La Crosse

April 4, 2016

CORN: SOYBEANS:

May '16 3.4750 8.9600

July 3.5150 9.0350

Nov. 9.1000

Dec. 3.6475

Jan. '17 9.1500

March 3.7450

Nov. 9.0600

Dec. 3.8075

National Grain Summary

April 1, 2016

Compared to last week, grain and soybean bids traded mixed. The USDA released the prospective planting and quarterly stocks information on Thursday with corn acreage coming in bearish at 93.6 million, 4.6 million acres above the 89 million acres estimate. Soybeans are expected to have 82.2 million acres, 2 million under the previous estimate. Expected wheat acres totaled 49.5 million, 2.1 million under the last numbers reported. Grains were also pressured by the weather as the Midwest and Southern Plains continue to receive high chances of precipitation. Improved farmer selling also triggered the losses in the corn and soybean complex. Wheat was 4-20 cents higher. Yellow corn was 18 cents lower, with while corn trading 3-19 cents lower. Sorghum was 32-51 cents lower. Soybeans were 6 cents lower to 1/2 cent higher.

Eggs

April 1, 2016

Extra Large: 86-89 cents.

Large: 84-87 cents.

Medium: 61-64 cents.

Hay

Reedsville Hay Auction

March 29, 2016

High Quality 1st Crop Hay: 60.00 to 105.00/ton.

Low Quality 1st Crop Hay: 30.00 to 55.00/ton.

High Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay: 110.00 to 150.00/ton.

Low Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay: 60.00 to 110.00/ton.

High Quality Straw: 85.00 to 115.00/ton.

Low Quality Straw: Below 80.00/ton.

Lomira Hay Auction

March 30, 2016

Small Squares: .80 to 1.75/bale. Quality: 2.00 to 3.00.

Large Squares Hay, Alfalfa: 40.00 to 55.00/bale.

Large Squares Mix: 25.00 to 45.00/bale.

Large Squares Grass: 17.00 to 30.00/bale.

Large Rounds Alfalfa: 40.00 to 50.00/bale.

Large Rounds Mix: 25.00 to 35.00/bale.

Large Rounds Grass: 15.00 to 30.00/bale.

Large Squares Wheat Straw: 25.00 to 30.00/bale.

Small Squares Wheat Straw: 1.00 to 1.50/bale.

Rounds and Squares Corn Stalks: 10.00 to 20.00/bale.

Tim Slack Auction & Realty

Hay & Bedding Report

March 30, 2016

Hay, Large Square: Premium: 130.00 to 145.00/T; Good: 95.00 to 125.00/T; Fair: 70.00 to 90.00/T; Wrapped: 65.00-127.50/T.

Hay, Large Round: Premium: 120.00/T; Good: 65.00 to 90.00/ton; Fair: 40.00 to 50.00/ton.

Hay, Small Square: Good: 2.00 to 2.25/bale.

Straw, Large Square: Good: 34.00 to 41.00/bale; Fair: 20.00 to 27.00/bale; Organic: 30.00/bale.

Straw, Large Round: Fair-Poor: 15.00 to 20.00/bale.

Straw, Small Square: Good: 2.75/bale.

Corn Fodder, Large Round: Good: 31.00/bale; Fair: 20.00/bale.

Grass, Small Square: Fair: 1.50/bale.

Stratford

March 30, 2016

Large Square Hay Bales, Grass: 20.00 to 40.00. With 3rd crop Alfalfa grass: 35.00 to 45.00/bale.

Round Hay Bales: 10.00 to 30.00. With Alfalfa rounds, 2nd & 3rd crop hay: 35.00 to 40.00/bale.

Large Square Straw Bales: 30.00 to 42.00. Squares corn stalks: N/A.

Small Straw Bales: 1.50 to 2.00; Rounds, Straw: 12.50 to 20.00.

Small Grass Bales: Sold 1.00 to 1.75, with 2nd & 3rd crop selling for 1.75 to 2.95.

Fennimore

March 28, 2016

Small Square Dairy Quality Hay: 3.00-3.20/bale; Lg. Sq. Dairy Hay: 92.50-127.50/T; Lg. Rd. Dairy Quality Hay: 65-77.50/T; Dry Cow/Beef Cow Quality Hay: 30-45/T; Wet Wrap Rounds: 25-70/T; Corn Fodder Bales, Round: 30.00-32.50/bale; Lg. Sq. Straw: 25.00-40.00/bale.

Dairy

Weekly Animal Feed

Central States

March 31, 2016

The Central dry whey market undertone is weakening, but a few spot loads garnered higher prices affecting the top of the range series. The mostly series is unchanged to fractionally lower. Inventories are mixed as some plant managers indicate they only have dry whey loads for fulfilling contract needs. At other locations, inventories are building. With steady to higher milk production in the region, manufacturers are sending increasing milk volumes into Class III production. This is also offering a diversion from sending milk intakes into butter/powder for those operations with both Class III and IV production facilities. Dry whey interest is steady for contract loads. Those loads are shipping on time, especially into ice cream/frozen dessert end uses. Increased sales into those end uses are expected in April. Additional interest from the Far East is resulting in more Central dry whey loads clearing to export markets, however, sellers indicate those export sales generally require pricing discounts. Animal feed dry whey prices are steady to higher. Feed blenders indicate sales into beef and dairy replacement accounts are increasing as herd freshening advances seasonally. However, interest from veal accounts is moderate to lower as recent higher calf prices and lower contract prices have some veal calf barn owners delaying refilling barns.

F.O.B. CENTRAL: .1800 - .2925 MOSTLY: .2200 - .2625

F.O.B. CENTRAL: ANIMAL FEED MILK REPLACER: .1250 - .2325

Dairy Market Review

April 1, 2016

BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $1.9600. The weekly average for Grade AA is $1.9485 (+.0110).

CHEESE: Barrels closed at $ 1.4550 and 40# blocks at $ 1.4700. The weekly average for barrels is $ 1.4490 (-.0166) and blocks, $ 1.4680 (-.0220).

NONFAT DRY MILK: Grade A closed at $0.7175. The weekly average for Grade A is $0.7200 (-.0125).

BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: Increasing milk volumes clearing into bottling are making cream more available for churning. Production of butter is still strong throughout the country. Many butter manufacturing plants are running at full capacity. Butter processors are focusing on bulk production. Inventories are building ahead of summer. In the East, the butter market undertone is unsettled. In the Central region, butter demand from retailers is lower as shopping for the holidays was completed last week. Interest from food service is flat. In the West, demand is holding steady. Bulk butter prices for all regions are ranging from 3 cents under market to 7 cents above, based on the CME Group w/various time frames and averages used. The Grade AA butter price at the CME Group on Friday closed at $1.9600, up $0.0375 from a week ago.

CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Cheese production continues to be active across the U.S. Many manufacturers in the Northeast & Midwest report running at or near full capacity due to the recent increase in milk production. Vats tend to be full & some Midwest processors are selling excess spot loads of milk at $2 to $3 under class. Domestic cheese demand in the West is steady to lower however, manufacturers are hopeful for an increase in demand. Several plants in the Midwest are already starting to experience slight increases in order volume. Throughout the nation, cheese inventories are long. In CME Group trading Friday, barrels closed at $1.4550, up $0.0050 from last Friday & blocks closed at $1.4700, down $0.0200 from last Thursday.

FLUID MILK: Milk production nationwide is increasing. Mild spring weather in the Southeast is leading to the early stages of spring flush. Greener pastures and higher milk production are keeping east coast processors operating full schedules. Central milk production is trending higher, resulting in plants operating with little to no down time. Central manufacturers have reported purchasing spot condensed skim loads from the East region. As schools return from their mid-semester breaks, bottling demand remains steady to higher. California, Arizona, and New Mexico milk output is steady to higher and these states are seeing more requests from bottlers. Milk supplies in the Pacific Northwest remain in balance with processing needs. Cream supplies remain steady and available across the nation.