MD_DA230 Fluid Milk and Cream - Central U.S. Report 12 - Released on March 24, 2022 Some Midwestern dairy farmers have relayed their February reports and they say they are positive in both milk production, component levels, and financial returns. Overall milk production was healthy, but not at record levels as were, in some cases, the butterfat percentages. More commonly, farmers are reporting fewer cows per their respective farms, but the quality of feed is being credited with some of the milk/component increases. Regarding feed, near term outlooks are positive, but there are concerns about mid- and longer-term yields due to dryness throughout the region. South Central region wheat/hay farmers say field conditions vary widely in a short drive. In the Midwest, farmers have yet to get into the fields, but some late winter/early spring rains are welcomed as winter snowfall was lower than average. Class I demand has been quiet to steady. Cheesemakers, though, are busily taking milk in as it remains available with potential growth at spring flush's onset. Cream outlooks are mixed, as some end users say they are still clearing loads at multiples in the mid 1.20s, but others say cream is tightening up some. Some ice cream plants were down for maintenance last week and this week. Additionally, butter churning remains somewhat busy despite staffing shortages, thus some contacts expect cream uses will spread some and prices may continue on an upward path. Price Range - Class III Milk; $/CWT; Spot Basis: -2.00 – -1.50 Trade Activity: Moderate Midwestern U.S., F.O.B. Cream Multiples Range - All Classes: 1.2500 - 1.3450 Price Range - Class II; $/LB Butterfat: 3.5438 - 3.6665 Multiples Range - Class II: 1.3000 - 1.3450 Information for the period March 21 - 25, 2022, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: The NASS Milk Production report noted February milk production in the 24 selected states was 16.747 billion pounds, 124 million pounds down from 2021. Milk cows in the 24 selected states totaled 8.88 million head, 77,000 head fewer than a year ago. The following table shows some of the 24 states included in the report and the monthly milk production and percent changes compared to a year ago: February 2022 Milk Production, (USDA-NASS) (Million Lb.) % Change From 1 Year Ago Illinois 138 - 3.5 Indiana 342 - 2.6 Iowa 428 + 0.2 Kansas 313 - 3.4 Michigan 899 - 2.9 Minnesota 795 - 3.2 Ohio 427 - 3.4 South Dakota 297 +18.3 Texas 1,257 + 4.3 Wisconsin 2,444 + 0.7 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: https://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy DMN MARS (My Market News): https://mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov