February Milk Prices Down Slightly for Wisconsin Producers
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/05/2013
Wisconsin farmers received an average price of $20.50 per hundredweight for their milk in January 2013, up $1.00 from January 2012. But the USDA reports that the February price is expected to decrease 80 cents to 19.70 cwt.
The expected U.S. milk price for February is $19.40 per cwt., 50 cents lower than last month and 30 cents lower than Wisconsin's expected February price. All of the major milk producing states except California are anticipating a decrease from January to February. The Golden State is predicting a 10 cent
increase, resulting in a price of $18.00 per cwt.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is expecting a $1.00 drop in price and New York is anticipated to be down 90 cents.
The Chicago Mercantile Exchange 40-pound block cheese price closed at $1.59 per pound last Thursday, while barrels were $1.57 per pound. The CME butter price was $1.55 per pound.
For the week ending February 23, the National Agricultural Statistics Service U.S. weekly 40-pound block cheese price averaged $1.66 per pound, and 500 pound barrels adjusted to 38 percent moisture averaged $1.62 per pound. The U.S. butter price was $1.57.
The Agricultural Marketing Service Class III price for February is $17.25 per cwt.
