OPENING CALLS:
| Class III Milk Futures: | 2 to 10 Higher |
| Class IV Milk Futures: | 2 to 5 Lower |
| Butter Futures: | Steady to 1 Higher |
OUTSIDE MARKET OPENING CALLS:
| Corn Futures: | 1 to 2 Lower |
| Soybean Futures: | 1 to 2 Lower |
| Soybean Meal Futures: | Steady to $1 Higher |
| Wheat Futures: | 7 to 9 Lower |
MILK:
There seems to be little change in the market as farms continue to push milk production and increase cow numbers. It is more than just holding onto cows to produce another calf, but the increase in longevity of the cow due to improved genetics is building the herd. Milk production per cow remains strong, indicating there are not a lot of low-producing cows in the dairy herd. The capacity to process more milk has been added and is being added with the expectation of increased milk supply. Farmers are embracing the ability to increase milk production. The only thing to slow milk output in the near term will be the weather. However, that will be minimized due to advances in keeping cows comfortable.
CHEESE:
Increased cheese production has moved the block cheese price to the lowest level since Feb. 17. More milk is being made available to the vat. This allows for increased cheese production, with plants wanting to move it to the spot market rather than build inventory.
BUTTER:
The increase in the butter price was welcomed over the past two days, but it may be short-lived or have limited upside potential. The fact that April inventory was 9.0 percent below a year ago is not impacting the desire of plants to move supplies to keep plant inventories from building.
