Hay prices are steady to firmer and some leveling of cow and heifer prices is noted. Western cream markets are highly unsettled. The other variable is what price, average, or permutation is used as the basing point. Buyers are more reluctant to make purchases in a declining market. In California, higher fat prices in the state order formulas are placing cream at a competitive disadvantage to move out of state.
Conditions remain excellent for continued good milk production in the Pacific Northwest.
Temperatures have been above normal with little moisture. Surprisingly, some producers have to wait a while before they finish cutting corn silage because the plants are not quite mature enough. Most had thought that this would not be a concern because of the dry, warm fall. Quality levels on incoming hay receipts are not up to expectations. The problem is that there in not really much possibility of doing much negotiating or bargaining because of the tight supply situation.