Here’s what USDA/AMS had to say:

Midwest:

Milk production is steady week-to-week in the Central region, but contacts say output remains up from this time last year. Manufacturers in the region are running busy production schedules to work through available milk supplies. Class I demand is strong, as bottling operations are making a final push ahead of the summer break for educational institutions. Demand for dairy products made with Class II milk has strengthened in the last year and processors are running busy production schedules, pulling on available supplies of milk to keep up with demand. Spot trades for Class III milk are lighter this week, and reported prices range from $5-under to flat Class. Cheesemakers are running busy production schedules, but some say they are not actively purchasing spot milk, as they are primarily using volumes from within their network. Contacts also report getting fewer spot offers for loads of Class III milk this week. Demand for milk is strong from Class IV processors.

EAST

Milk production is strong in the East region. Contacts indicate plenty of milk is available for busy production schedules. Milk components remain high and cream is readily available for spot purchasing. Class I demand is steady in the region. Bottlers are taking their contracted volumes. Class II demand is steady to strong. Consumer demand is growing for dairy products such as cottage cheese, causing an uptick in production. Class III demand is steady this week. Most facilities are taking their full contracted loads of milk. Class IV demand is strong. Butter makers are taking in spot loads of milk and acting as balancing facilities for the region, mostly due to strong powder and condensed skim demand.

WEST

In California, milk production is generally steady. Handlers report marginal differences in milk output for weeks 16 or 15 compared to week 14. April milk production is up slightly compared to the prior month. Handlers convey this year’s peak spring volumes are lasting longer. Some manufacturers note milk intakes at their processing facilities are above anticipated volumes. 2026 year over year milk production remains up. Processors describe milk volumes as balanced compared to processing capacities. In Arizona, farm level milk output is steady. Some manufacturers continue to secure spot milk loads for open processing capacity. In New Mexico, milk production is lighter. Stakeholders note New Mexico milk output trends are somewhat ahead of Colorado milk output trends in week 17. Pacific Northwest milk production varies from somewhat lighter to somewhat stronger. Spot milk loads are tight. Farm level milk outputs in the Mountain States of Idaho, Utah, and Colorado are mixed. Manufacturers indicate milk volumes are more balanced to processing capacities this week. Class I, III, and IV demands are steady, while Class II demand is stronger.

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