In California, temperatures for the Central Valley were near the 60-degree mark. Milk production is steady. Some handlers note preliminary records indicate December 2023 milk production is up compared to November 2023 milk production, but down compared to December 2022 milk production. Manufacturers indicate processing capacities are well balanced with milk volumes in the state, but some manufacturers anticipate facilities filling up more as year-end holidays draw closer. A few manufacturers report unplanned downtime and spot load sales of milk at flat Class this week. Processors say milk supplies are meeting manufacturing needs. Demand for all Classes is strong to steady.
Temperatures in Arizona settled near the 70-degree mark this week. Milk production continues to seasonally strengthen. Manufacturers relay milk volumes are meeting production needs. Demand for all Classes is unchanged.
In New Mexico, farm level milk output is steady. Processors indicate enough spot loads of milk are available to accommodate production schedule needs. All Classes have strong to steady demand.
In the Pacific Northwest, milk production is steady. Handlers indicate weekto-week differences are seasonally increasing. Stakeholders report some transportation issues were caused by an overnight shut down of I-90 due to flooding hazards, but impacts to plant operations were marginal, overall. All Class demands are strong to steady.
Farm level milk output in the mountain states of Idaho, Utah, and Colorado are reported as steady to slightly higher. Manufacturers in Idaho indicate milk is readily available for processing needs. Class II demand is steady. Class I, III, and IV demands are strong to steady.
Throughout the region cream is more readily available. Cream demand is steady. Cream multiples decreased on the top end of the multiples range. Condensed skim milk demand is steady. Some manufacturers note customers taking on spot loads in addition to their contracted volumes this week.
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