Weekly Market Report: April 4, 2023
Weekly market report beginning the week of April 4, 2023. Data compiled from state and national market sources.
Cattle
Altoona Equity Market: Mar. 30, 2023
FED CATTLE:
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 to 159.00.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 130.00 to 157.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 140.00 to 150.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 125.00 to 139.00.
Select, Unfinished & Heavyweight Steers & Heifers: 124.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
Higher 20% sold for: 90.00 to 104.00.
60% sold for: 68.00 to 89.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 67.00 & down.
CULL BULLS:
Most Bulls: 95.00 to 110.00.
CALVES: Sold by the head.
80% of Holstein Bull Calves 95 lbs. & up: 150.00 to 325.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 50.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 150.00-345.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 150.00 & down
Bonduel Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
FED CATTLE: Steady.
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 140.00 to 155.50.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 145.00 & down.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 135.00 152.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 100.00 to 134.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 99.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
Higher 20% sold for: 85.00 to 108.00.
60% sold for: 70.00 to 85.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 70.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Softer
Most Bulls: 96.00 to 108.50.
Thin, Full Bulls, over a ton discounted: 95.00 & down.
CALVES: Sold by the pound. Stronger
Holstein Bull Calves: 200.00 to 365.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 50.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 250.00 to 500.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 30.00 & down, heavy discounts on light and poor quality.
FEEDER CATTLE: As of 3/16/23 sale.
Beef steers under 400 lbs: No Test.
Beef steers 400-600 lbs: 145.00-167.50.
Beef steers 600-800 lbs: 126.00-175.00.
Beef steers over 800 lbs: No Test.
Beef heifers under 400 lbs: No Test.
Beef heifers 400-600 lbs: 132.00-147.50.
Beef heifers 600-800 lbs: 130.00-142.00.
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: Apr. 03, 2023
FED CATTLE: Steady.
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 150.00-162.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 115.00 to 144.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 132.00 to 155.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 125.00 to 138.00.
Select & Unfinished Cattle: 110.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
20% sold for: 77.00 to 92.00.
60% sold for: 70.00 to 80.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 70.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady.
Most Bulls: 80.00 to 90.00.
Thin & Full Bulls, discounted: 60.00 & down.
CALVES, sold by the pound: Steady
60% of Holstein Bull Calves: 170.00 to 320.00.
Quality Dairy Heifer Calves: 80.00 to 120.00.
Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 470.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 100.00 & down.
Lomira Equity Market: Apr. 03 2023
FED CATTLE: Steady.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 156.00 to 162.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 144.00 to 155.00.
Select, Low Yielding & Underfinished Beef Steers & Heifers: 138.00 & down.
X-bred Steers & Heifers: 141.00 to 152.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 145.00 to 148.00.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 140.00 to 146.00.
Low Yielding, Select & Underfinished Holstein Steers & Heifers: 98.00-138.00.
MARKET COWS:
High Yielding Cows: 90.00 to 97.00.
Cutters & Utility: 58.00 to 89.00.
Canners & Shells: 30.00-57.00
MARKET BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 95.00 to 115.00.
Thin, Light & Over-Conditioned Bulls: 90.00 & down.
CALVES (03/28/23 Auction): Sold by the pound.
Quality Holstein Bull Calves weighing 90-125 lbs: 250.00 to 300.00.
Light Weight Calves: 150.00 to 245.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 60.00-100.00.
Quality Beef and X-bred Bulls & Heifer Calves: Heifers 380.00-485.00; Bulls 380.00-500.00.
Poor Quality Calves: 120.00 & down
Monroe Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 169.50-178.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 157.00-169.00.
Choice Dairy X-bred Steers & Heifers: 145.00-173.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 145.00-155.50.
Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 130.00-144.50.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 128.00 and down.
Wednesday 03/29/23 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: No test.
CULL COWS: Steady
High Yielding Cows: 90.00 to 107.00.
Cutters & Utility: 71.00 to 89.50.
Canners & Shells: 70.00 & down.
SLAUGHTER BULLS:
High Yielding Bulls: 105.00 to 116.00.
Thin, Light and Over-conditioned Bulls: 104.50 & down.
CALVES: Sold by the pound.
Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 215.00 to 280.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 145.00 & down.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 150.00 & down.
Quality Beef & Beef X-bred Calves: bulls 430.00 & down; heifers 400.00 & down.
Reedsville Equity Market: Mar. 30, 2023
FED CATTLE: Steady
High Yielding Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 135.00 to 155.00.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 118.00 to 134.00.
High Yielding Choice Holstein Steers: 132.00 to 143.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 110.00 to 131.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 109.00 & down.
CULL COWS: Steady
Higher 20% sold for: 85.00 to 99.00
60% sold for: 65.00 to 84.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 64.00 & down.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 75.00-100.00.
CALVES: Steady
40% of Holstein Bull Calves: 160.00-290.00.
Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 40.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 430.00 & down.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 40.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE: Results 03/23/2023
Holstein steers under 400 lbs: 100.00 to 150.00.
Holstein steers 400 to 600 lbs: 100.00 to 150.00.
Holstein steers 600 to 800 lbs: 90.00 to 135.00.
Holstein steers over 800 lbs: 90.00 to 125.00.
Stratford Equity Market: Apr. 04, 2023
FED CATTLE:
High Yielding Choice & Prime Beef Steers & Heifers: 145.00-149.50.
Choice Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 to 144.00.
High Yielding Choice & Prime Holstein Steers & Heifers: 135.00-149.50.
Select & Choice Holstein Steers & Heifers: 125.00 to 134.00.
Unfinished Steers & Heifers: 125.00 and down.
CULL COWS: Steady
Higher 20% sold for: 90.00 to 111.00.
60% sold for: 65.00 to 89.00.
Lower 20% sold for: 65.00 & down.
Good certified organic cows (for slaughter): 120.00-135.00.
CULL BULLS: Steady
Most Bulls: 90.00 to 115.00.
Thin, Full, Horned Bulls discounted: 85.00 & down.
CALVES, sold by the head: Steady
Good to Top Quality Holstein Bull Calves: 175.00-345.00.
Top Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 100.00 to 140.00.
Plain Quality Holstein Heifer Calves: 50.00 & down.
Quality Beef Calves: 300.00 to 520.00.
Light & Poor Quality Calves: 50.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE: Steady
Beef Steers: Under 400 lbs: 150.00-192.50; 400 to 600 lbs: 140.00-185.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 140.00-175.00; Over 800 lbs: 125.00-155.00.
Beef Heifers: Under 400 lbs: 130.00-180.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 130.00-175.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 130.00-165.00; Over 800 lbs: 100.00-150.00.
Holstein Steers: Under 400 lbs: 120.00-186.00; 400 to 600 lbs: 100.00-160.00; 600 to 800 lbs: 90.00-157.00; Over 800 lbs: 85.00-130.00.
Milwaukee Stockyards: Apr. 03, 2023
COWS:
No Roll Cows: 90.00 to 97.00.
High Yielding Cutters & Utility: 75.00 to 85.00.
Cutters: 65.00 to 75.00.
Canners & Shells: 60.00 & down.
HOLSTEIN STEERS:
High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers, 1400-1600 lbs: 142.00 to 147.00.
Choice Holstein Steers: 137.00 to 142.00.
Select Steers: 110.00 to 125.00.
Unfinished Holstein Steers: 110.00 & down.
BEEF CATTLE:
Choice & Prime Angus Beef 1250-1600 lbs: 160.00 to 165.00.
Select Beef Steers & Heifers: 130.00 & down.
BULLS:
Premium Beef Bulls 1600-2000 lbs: 90.00 to 100.00.
Common to Good Bulls: 75.00 to 90.00.
REPLACEMENT CALVES:
Premium Bulls 100-120 lbs: 300.00 to 350.00.
Common to Good Bulls 80-100 lbs: 100.00 to 300.00.
Beef Bull Calves: 400.00 to 565.00.
Beef Heifer Calves: 300.00 to 450.00.
Dairy Heifer Calves: 50.00 to 135.00.
Boning Calves: 15.00 & down.
Premier Livestock: Mar. 30, 2023
MARKET COWS: Steady to lower
Selling Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
High Yielding Cows: 84.00 to 105.00.
Most Market Cows: 73.00 to 83.00.
Low Yielding Cows: 72.00 and down.
FED MARKET STEERS AND HEIFERS: Lower
High Choice & Prime Holstein Steers: 134.00 to 152.00.
Low Choice & Select Holstein Steers: 125.00-133.00.
Underfinished & Mixed Grading: 124.00 & down.
MARKET BULLS: Steady
High Yielding Bulls: 100.00 to 112.00.
Plainer Quality Bulls: 99.00 & down.
BABY CALVES: Steady
Most Holstein Bull Calves: 125.00-380.00.
Quality Beef Calves: 200.00 to 480.00.
Holstein Heifer Calves, Single Birth: 25.00-140.00.
Light and off quality calves: 75.00 & down.
Fennimore: Apr. 05, 2023
High Yield Slaughter Cows: 90.00-98.00; Holstein Bulls & Calves: 95-120 lbs: 275.00-340.00; Light Weight & Poor Calves: 105.00-180.00; Holstein Heifer Calves: 85.00-135.00; Beef X-Bred Calves: 300.00-520.00.
National Cattle Summary: Apr. 03, 2023
On Monday negotiated cash trading was at standstill in the Southern Plains. In Nebraska and Western Cornbelt negotiated cash trading was mostly inactive with very light demand. Not enough purchases for a market trend. The latest established market was last week in all regions. In the Texas Panhandle live purchases traded from 165.00-167.00. In Kansas live purchases traded at 167.00. In Nebraska live and dressed purchases traded from 168.00-172.00 and from 270.00-272.00, respectively. In the Western Cornbelt live and dressed purchases traded at 170.00 and from 270.00- 272.00, respectively.
Dairy Cattle Summary
Reedsville Equity Market: Mar. 30, 2023
Top Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 800.00 to 1600.00.
Plainer Quality Springing Holstein Heifers: 750.00 & down.
Good Quality Shortbred Heifers: 700.00 to 1300.00.
Good Quality Springing & Recently Fresh Cows: 850.00 to 1800.00.
Good Bred Back Milking Cows: 850.00 to 1800.00.
Plain Quality & Common Cows: 500.00 to 800.00.
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: Apr. 03, 2023
FINISHED CATTLE:
Finished Beef Steers: 163.00-172.50; Mixed Grading: 100.00-163.50.
Finished Beef Heifers: 164.00-175.00; Mixed Grading:100.00-163.50.
Finished Dairy Steers: 136.00-147.00; Silage Fed, Heavyweight, Select Grade, Lightweight: 97.50-135.50.
MARKET COWS:
Mostly 78.00-91.00; Thin/shelly/full/overfed cows: 77.00 & down; Market Bulls: 96.00-118.00.
Bred Beef Cows & Heifers: N/A; cow/calf pairs: N/A.
Calves: 95-125 lbs: 80.00-335.00; 150-250 lbs: Up to 180.00; Beef Calves: 200.00-380.00; Lighter, Weaker, Younger Calves: 140.00 & down.
FEEDER CATTLE:
Beef Steers: under 600 lbs: Up to 188.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 183.00/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 156.00/cwt; Beef Heifers: 350-600 lbs: Up to 165.00/cwt; 600-800 lbs: UP to 155.00/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 144.00/cwt.
Holstein Steers: under 400 lbs: N/A; 400-600 lbs: Up to 1561.5/cwt; 600-800 lbs: Up to 141.00/cwt; 800-1000 lbs: Up to 120.00/cwt.
Eastern Corn Belt Direct, Feeder Cattle Summary: Mar. 31, 2023
Compared to last week: Not enough Current FOB trades last week for a trend. Demand moderate.Supply included: 100% Feeder Cattle (17.1% Steers, 82.9% Heifers). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 87%. 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, OH.
Sheep & Lambs
Fennimore: Apr. 05, 2023
Bucks & Ewes: 65.00-92.50; Choice Lambs: 110.00-140.00.; Feeding Lambs: 120.00-250.00.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
Lambs: Over 100 lbs: 120.00-170.00; Under 100 lbs: 120.00-200.00; Ewes: 60.00-100.00; Bucks: 60.00-100.00.
Lomira Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
As of 03/25/2023: Finished Market Lambs: 130.00-160.00; Feeder Lambs: Under 65 lbs: 175.00-275.00; 70-100 lbs: 160.00-200.00; Ewes: 60.00-80.00; Rams: 70.00-90.00.
Monroe Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
As of 03/18/23: Finished Market Lambs: No test; Feeder Lambs: 2.10-2.25/lb.; Cull Ewes: No test; Cull Rams: 1.10-1.45/lb.
Stratford Equity Market: Apr. 04, 2023
As of 03/15/23: Feeder Lambs: 60.00-80.00; Market Lambs: 120.00-150.00; Cull Ewes: 60.00-69.00; Cull Rams: 50.00-55.00.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Apr. 04, 2023
Feeder Lambs: 50-70 lbs: 190.00-230.00; 70-90 lbs: 130.00-220.00; Over 90 lbs: 145.00-215.00.
Fed Lambs 120-155 lbs: Selects: 125.00-150.00; Unshorn Lambs: N/A.
Utility & Good Ewes: 80.00-97.50 Thin & Cull Ewes: 75.00 & down; Yearling Ewes: N/A.
Goats
**Fennimore: Apr. 05, 2023
Slaughter Nannies: 1.10-1.35/lb.
Slaughter Billies: 1.50-1.90/lb.
Slaughter Kids (Dairy): 2.00-3.15/lb
Slaughter Kids (Boer): 3.70-4.30/lb
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
Young Goats 80 lbs & up: 120.00-170.00.
Young Goats 60-80 lbs: 260.00 & down.
Young Goats under 60 lbs: 170.00 & down.
Cull Goats: 165.00 & down.
Lomira Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
As of 03/25/2023:
Fed Goats: 150.00 to 250.00.
Dairy Kids: 190.00 to 275.00.
Boer Kids: 300.00 to 390.00.
Cull Goats: 100.00 to 170.00.
Monroe Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
As of 03/18/23: Goats sell by the head.
Dairy Goats 40-70 lbs: 75.00-150.00
Meat Goats 40-70 lbs: No test.
Meat Goats over 70 lbs: No test.
Cull Nannies & Billies: 290.00 & down.
Hogs
USDA Hog Report: Mar. 24, 2023
Compared to last week: Early weaned pigs are 7.00 per head lower, and feeder pigs are 3.00 per head lower. Demand started the week steady and then fell on moderate offerings.
Lomira Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
Feeder Pigs: 40-80 lbs: Call for availability.
Hogs: Heavy Sows: 44.00-46.00; Light Sows: 41.00-43.00; Boars: 10.00-15.00; Butcher Hogs: 60.00-80.00.
Johnson Creek Equity Market: Apr. 03, 2023
Butchers over 250 lbs: 45.00-80.00; Light Sows: 35.00-50.00; Heavy Sows: 35.00-50.00; Boars: 10.00-15.00; Feeder Pigs: 10.00-120.00.
Stratford Equity Market: Apr. 04, 2023
Butchers: 65.00-68.00; Sows: 40.00-45.00; Boars: 20.00-25.00; Slaughter Pigs: No test; Feeder Pigs, 25-35 lbs: 15.00-25.00/hd.; 45-55 lbs: 40.00-55.00/hd; 60-70 lbs: 55.00/hd.; 70-80 lbs: 55.00-60.00/hd.
Central Livestock, Zumbrota, MN: Apr. 04, 2023
Feeder Pigs: Up to 50 lbs: 60.00-65.00/hd; 50-60 lbs: 40.00-65.00/hd; 60-80 lbs: 50.00-75.00/hd; 80-100 lbs: 90.00/hd; 100-120 lbs: 92.00-100.00/hd.
Grains
Cargill La Crosse: Apr. 04, 2023
CORN/SOYBEANS
May ‘23: 6.5375/15.1750
Sept: 5.6925/13.5100
Dec: 5.6000/-------
Mar.’24: 5.6775/13.2050
May: 5.7250/13.0975
July: 5.7375/13.2150
Sept: 5.4475/12.7200
Dec: 5.3375/--------
Eggs
USDA Egg Report: Apr. 04, 2023
Midwest delivered prices are steady. Producer prices are 15 cents lower for Large, Medium and 10 cents lower for Small. The undertone is weak. Demand is generally moderate. Offerings are light to moderate. Supplies are moderate to fully adequate. The Midwest shell egg inventory increased 1.8% compared to a week ago. Market activity is moderate.
Extra Large: 3.10-3.12; Large: 3.08-3.10; Medium: 2.65-2.67
Hay
Fennimore: Apr. 03, 2023
Large Square Hay: 140.00-175.00/ton; Lg. Round Dairy Quality Hay: 120.00-150.00/ton; Sm. Square Hay: 3.75-4.00/bale; Dry Cow/Beef Cow Hay: 80.00-120.00/ton; Large Square Straw: 35.00-40.00/bale; Corn Fodder: 20.00-30.00/bale.
Lomira Equity Market: Mar. 31, 2023
Every Friday at noon:
Small Squares Hay: 2.00-4.00/bale; Large Squares Hay Alfalfa: 60.00-90.00/bale; Large Squares Mix: 40.00-65.00/bale; Large Square Grass: 30.00-50.00/bale; Large Rounds Alfalfa Quality: 50.00-60.00/bale; Large Rounds Mix: 40.00-50.00/bale; Large Rounds Grass: 30.00-40.00/bale; Small Wheat Straw: 1.00-2.00/bale.
Stratford Equity Market: Mar. 28, 2023
Sale first and third Tuesday each month:
Large Square Grass Mix: 60.00-80.00/bale.
Large Square Hay Bales, 2nd and 3rd Crop Alfalfa: 80.00-100.00/bale.
Large Square Bales, Rye Straw: 40.00-45.00/bale.
Sm. Round Bales, Grass: 20.00-25.00/bale.
Alfalfa Rounds, 2nd & 3rd Crop: 55.00-60.00/bale.
Small Square Straw Bales: No test.
Small Square Hay Bales: 2.75-3.25/bale.
Tim Slack Auction & Realty, Hay & Bedding Report: Apr. 03, 2023
Hay, lg. Square: Premium: 205.00/ton; Good: 130.00-175.00/bale; Fair: N/A; Sm. Square:Good: 4.25/bale. Hay, lg. Round: Good: 60.00-140.00/ton; Fair: 40.00-55.00/ton.
Straw, lg. square: Good: 43.00-51.00/bale; Sm. square: Good, 4.00/bale.
Grass, lg. square: 160.00-165.00/ton; lg. Round, Good: 40.00-60.00/ton.
Reedsville Equity Market: Apr. 05, 2023
High Quality 1st Crop Hay: 110.00-160.00/ton; Low Quality: 100.00/ton & down; High Quality 2nd & 3rd Crop Hay: 125.00-180.00/ton; Low Quality: 120.00/ton & down; High Quality Straw: 110.00-140.00; Low Quality Straw: 100.00/ton; Baleage: 30.00-60.00/ton.
Dairy
Weekly Animal Feed, Central U.S.: Mar. 30, 2023
Dry whey prices were steady on the bottom of the range, but moved higher at every other facet. Midwestern supplies continue to be reported as firm. Some processors say within a few weeks, recently produced loads will begin to be offered out, but current spot supplies are short. Brokers say bids below the $.40 mark are gaining zero traction. Despite widely and consistently available milk supplies, dry whey is moving well through current channels. A number of contacts do not expect the current steady/bullish push to last long, but price movements downward are not expected near term. Animal feed whey prices were unchanged after last week's increase.
- Prices for Central U.S., All First Sales, FOB, Conventional and Non-Edible Dry Whey Price Range Animal Feed, $/lb: .3100 - .4000.
- Prices for Central U.S., All First Sales, FOB, Extra Grade & Grade A, Conventional and Edible Dry Whey Price Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .4000 - .4700; Mostly Range: Non-Hygroscopic, $/lb: .4200 - .4600.
Dairy Market Review: Mar. 31, 2023
BUTTER: Grade AA closed at $2.3975. The weekly average for Grade AA is $2.3815 (+0.0035).
CHEESE: Barrels closed at $1.8075 and 40# blocks at $1.8500. The weekly average for barrels is $1.9000 (-0.0535) and blocks, $1.9685 (-0.0605).
CHEESE HIGHLIGHTS: Milk is available for strong cheese production in the Northeast and West. In the Midwest, milk remains accessible, though availability varies in different locations. Cheesemakers in the region are running active production schedules, and some say they are operating six to seven days a week. Demand for cheese varies throughout the Midwest. Some western contacts note export demand to other regions is steady to softer, as cheese produced domestically is priced uncompetitively compared to cheese produced in Europe and Oceania.
BUTTER HIGHLIGHTS: Cream is available for butter production in the Central and West regions, while availability varies in the East. Butter makers are actively churning in the Central region, while production is steady to strong in the West. Demand for butter is softening in the Central region following more active sales in late February and early March. A combination of strong production and softening demand is contributing to growing inventories in the Central region.
FLUID MILK HIGHLIGHTS: Milk output is steady or trending higher throughout much of the country. Contacts in the Midwest report educational institutions' spring breaks are contributing to dips in Class I demand in some areas but say overall bottling orders are steady. Cheesemakers in the Midwest are obtaining Class III milk from $11 to $3 under Class price, though contacts report more volume is moving near the higher end of the range for the first time in several weeks.
**market reports published after print deadline. See complete report online at wisfarmer.com