Dairy prices 'muscle up' in March

Posted at 11:35 a.m. on March 24, 2021

By Bob Cropp, Professor Emeritus

UW Extension

MADISON - Dairy product prices have strengthened during March and have been higher all month than averages for the month of February.

On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) 40-pound cheddar blocks averaged $1.5821 per pound for February started March at $1.625, reached the current high of $1.80. Cheddar barrels averaged $1.4442 per pound in February started March at $1.42, reached a high of $1.5525 and but have fallen back to $1.49.

Dry whey averaged $0.5426 per pound in February started March at $0.5575 and reached the current high of $0.6125. Dry whey has strengthened steadily since September when it was around $0.33 per pound.

This strength had added nearly $1.60 to the Class III price.

With these improvements in dairy product prices the March Class III price will near $16.30 compared to $15.75 for February.

CME butter prices showed strong strength in March. Butter averaged $1.3859 per pound in February started March at $1.6350, reaching a high of $1.715 and is now $1.71. Nonfat dry milk which averaged $1.1137 per pound in February started March at $1.1425, reached a high of 1.175 and is now $1.165. With these improvements in prices the March Class IV price will be near $14.35 compared to $13.19 in February.

Milk prices for the remainder of the year are uncertain.

But there are positive signs for milk prices.

Restaurants in some states are being allowed to expand in door dining and some schools are allowing the partial return of students. This is already showing improvement in food service sales which is positive for butter and cheese prices. Hopefully by fall restaurants and schools will be operating more to normal.

Dairy exports are forecast to stay relatively strong for nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder with exports higher than a year ago for butter and whey products. Butter, cheese, and nonfat dry milk/skim milk powder prices are very competitive to other major dairy exporters.

Port congestions, container shortages, and labor shortages stemming from trade imbalances created by the pandemic undercut dairy exports last year. This situation is expected to improve.

On the downside, stock levels are relatively high and need to be worked down.

The latest stock report showed January 31st stocks of butter up 33 percent from a year ago, American cheese stocks three percent higher, total cheese stocks also three percent higher, nonfat dry milk stocks 8.8 percent higher and dry whey stocks 7.1 percent higher.

Expected improved domestic sales and dairy exports will help draw down stocks.

Milk production for the remainder of the year will be a major factor affecting the level of milk prices. USDA revised January milk production to be 2.4 percent higher than a year ago. February milk production adjusting for 29 days in February a year ago showed milk production was two percent higher.

Milk cow numbers started to increase month to month back in July of last year. February cow numbers increased another 3,000 to 81,000 more than a year ago or 0.9 percent higher. Adjusting for 29 days in February a year ago milk per cow as 1.2 percent higher.

Thus, milk production continues at a relatively higher level putting downward pressure on milk prices. Nine of the 24 selected states had less February milk production than a year ago and 10 had fewer milk cows. Indiana led all states with the relatively highest increase in milk production with an increase of 10.5 percent, followed by increases of 9.7 percent in South Dakota, 5.8 percent in Minnesota, 5.3 percent in Texas, and 4.9 percent in Colorado. California had an increase of 2.1 percent, Wisconsin 3.2 percent, Idaho 0.4 percent, Michigan 3.8 percent, and New York 1.7 percent.

USDA latest forecast has milk cow numbers averaging 57,000 head or 0.6 percent higher than a year ago with milk per cow 1.2 percent higher resulting in 1.8 percent more milk for the year.

This is a lot of milk considering last year was leap year.

Favorable milk prices will require improved domestic sales and strong exports.

Current Class III dairy futures have recently weakened some but are still fairly optimistic. Class III futures reach the low $18’s by June and stay in the low 18’s through November before falling to the $17’s for December. These prices provide some opportunity for dairy farmers to protect more favorable milk prices with Class III futures or options or using the Revenue Protection program. With feed prices higher than a year ago protecting milk prices is important. USDA is not as optimistic about prices. Their latest forecast has Class III averaging just $16.75 for the year compared to $18.16 last year.

The level of government purchases of cheese, butter and fluid milk is not likely to be at the level of last year to support milk prices. The fifth round of the Farms to Families Food Box program expires in April.

There remain other government programs where dairy products will be purchased for school lunch and food banks. Price forecasts will no doubt change as the level of milk production, domestic sales and dairy exports unfold.