Western region milk production is steady for Week 37. California is experiencing high heat this week, resulting in a small, temporary decline in volumes. According to contacts, milk remains available despite seasonal decreases.
The Northwest continues to trend cooler, supporting improved cow comfort and consistent milk output.
The Southwest reports stable milk volumes with no holiday-related issues.
Class I demand remains steady as the pipeline transitions from school bottling back to standard operations. Class II and Class III demand show early holiday baking preparation patterns, while Class IV demand has eased, with prices trending lower.
Cream loads are mostly available across the region, and some manufacturers report plants remained open through the holiday. Condensed skim milk (CSM) availability is tight, and specialty CSM is being sought for specific stakeholder needs. Milk-fat components have recovered following prior weeks of heat stress. Contacts report that plant capacity currently exceeds the volume of milk being received.
