MD_DA431 Butter - Central U.S. Report 31 - Released on August 03, 2022 Butter producers in the region say cream is still available both regionally and from some Western states. Churning, therefore, is ongoing despite limited staffing numbers. That said, there have been some incremental improvements in regards to employment, but butter plant managers say there has been a notable impact on output due to shorthandedness throughout 2022. Butter sales are ticking up as the summer progresses, and customers begin to prepare for their fall demand upswings. Some butter contacts expect $3+ prices to put a damper on buying, but they say potential buying slowdowns in the fall will only push more demand in the winter. All that said, most contacts expect butter markets to maintain some firmness for the near- to mid-term. Prices for: Central U.S., All First Sales, F.O.B., Grade AA, Conventional, and Edible Butter Bulk Basis Pricing - 80% Butterfat $/LB: +0.0600 - +0.1000 Information for the period August 1 - 5, 2022, issued weekly Secondary Sourced Information: The CME Group July monthly average price for Grade AA butter was $2.9506, compared to $2.9546 in June. 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