MD_DA230 Fluid Milk and Cream - Central U.S. Report 18 - Released on May 02, 2019 In Wisconsin, the rate of small to mid-sized dairy farms shuttering continues into the first quarter of 2019. Over 200 dairy farms have closed and/or shifted away from milking in 2019. Estimations vary as to what percentage of cows are removed from milking versus those moving to another dairy farm. Regardless, spring flush in 2019 is yet to shift the needle it typically has, and contacts point to this as a major factor. Milk production in the Midwest is generally steady. Bottling sales are starting to falter ahead of imminent school ordering slowdowns. Cheesemakers are taking on spot milk at similar prices to last week, most reported prices were around Class, while the overall range was $1 over to $1.50 under. Cream prices held mostly steady this week. Butter plant managers suggest cream prices are nearing the limit for them to continue to take on spot loads, as a number have shifted to micro-fixing bulk butter. Ice cream production is started to pick up somewhat, and cream availability is expected to trend down soon. Farmers in the entire Central region are continuing to deal with wet weather. In parts of the Midwest, from Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota received a late season snow over the past weekend. Even still, some farmers reported finding a dry day to get in the fields late last week. South Central farmers have continued to receive rain day after day. Additionally, hail and tornados/high winds have caused some damage in the area. Oklahoma farmers say through all this, winter wheat is generally in good condition, and they expect bountiful yields this year. National Retail Report Dairy ± Fluid Milk Summary Advertised Prices at Major Retail Supermarket Outlets ending during the period of 4/26/19 to 5/2/2019 Half Gallon, All Fat Tests Weighted Average Price National This Period Last Week Last Year Organic $3.73 $4.27 $3.91 Conventional $1.45 $2.00 $1.83 Regional (Conventional) Wtd. Ave. Low High Alaska n.a. n.a. n.a. Hawaii $5.16 $3.99 $5.99 Midwest $1.04 $0.88 $1.19 Northeast n.a. n.a. n.a. Northwest $0.99 $0.99 $0.99 South Central $1.56 $1.19 $1.69 Southeast $1.59 $1.59 $1.59 Southwest n.a. n.a. n.a. Regional (Organic) Wtd. Ave. Low High Alaska $2.99 $2.99 $2.99 Hawaii n.a. n.a. n.a. Midwest $3.12 $2.29 $3.99 Northeast $4.00 $3.69 $4.99 Northwest $4.00 $3.99 $4.00 South Central $3.64 $2.49 $3.99 Southeast $3.99 $2.49 $4.78 Southwest $3.99 $3.99 $3.99 Gallon, All Fat Tests Weighted Average Price National This Period Last Week Last Year Organic $5.00 $5.15 $6.32 Conventional $3.16 $2.46 $2.14 Regional (Conventional) Wtd. Ave. Low High Alaska $4.24 $2.99 $4.89 Hawaii n.a. n.a. n.a. Midwest $1.75 $1.49 $1.98 Northeast $4.41 $1.59 $7.99 Northwest $1.99 $1.99 $1.99 South Central $3.08 $2.89 $3.49 Southeast n.a. n.a. n.a. Southwest $2.45 $1.99 $2.59 Midwestern U.S., F.O.B. Cream Multiples Range - All Classes: 1.2000 - 1.2900 Price Range - Class II; $/LB Butterfat: 2.8294 - 2.9199 Multiples Range - Class II: 1.2500 - 1.2900 Information for the period April 29 - May 3, 2019, issued weekly Published by: Dairy Market News - Madison, WI ISRAEL WEBER, 608-422-8601 Email: israel.weber@usda.gov Additional Dairy Market News Information: Dairy Market News (DMN) by Phone: (608)422-8602 DMN Website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy DMN Database Portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home