U.S. Milk Production Projections Increased Slightly – Aug ’14
According to the August USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) report, 2014 U.S. milk production projections were increased slightly from 205.9 billion lbs to 206.0 billion lbs as lower feed costs are expected to support higher output per cow. 2014 U.S. milk production projections have remained fairly steady throughout the past four months, ranging from 205.9 billion lbs to 206.1 billion lbs. 2014 projected production of 206.0 billion lbs equates to a 2.4% YOY increase from 2013 production of 201.2 billion lbs and would be a record high production level on an absolute basis. The projected 2.4% YOY increase in milk production is over triple the 2013 YOY milk production increase. 2013 milk production of 201.2 billion lbs resulted in a 0.4% YOY increase and a 0.7% YOY increase when adjusting for leap year. 2014 YTD (Jan-Jun) milk production is up 1.0% YOY; implying YOY milk production growth is expected to accelerate in future months.
2015 U.S. milk production projections were raised from 212.4 billion lbs to 212.5 billion pounds as higher milk prices and lower feed costs are expected to support more rapid growth in cow numbers and output per cow. 2015 projected production equates to a 3.2% YOY increase over 2014 projected production of 206.0 billion lbs. The projected 3.2% YOY increase in production would be the largest in ten years.
Butter, cheese, dry whey and NFDM prices were forecasted higher for 2014, with butter and dry whey prices also being forecasted higher in 2015. Class III and Class IV prices for 2014 were raised on stronger component product prices with forecasted butter prices showing particular strength. As shown in the chart below, the forecasted 2014 all-milk price range of $23.55-$23.75 per cwt reached new highs. The 2015 all-milk price is expected to be well below the 2014 price, and remained unchanged from last month at $19.75-$20.75 per cwt.
Fat basis export forecasts for 2014 and 2015 were lowered by 3.0% and 9.2%, respectively as Russia’s ban on imports from a number of dairy exporting countries will likely result in increased competition in export markets. 2014 and 2015 fat basis imports were raised by 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively as supplies in competing exporters are expected to be large.
Butter, cheese, dry whey and NFDM prices were forecasted higher for 2014, with butter and dry whey prices also being forecasted higher in 2015. Class III and Class IV prices for 2014 were raised on stronger component product prices with forecasted butter prices showing particular strength. As shown in the chart below, the forecasted 2014 all-milk price range of $23.55-$23.75 per cwt reached new highs. The 2015 all-milk price is expected to be well below the 2014 price, and remained unchanged from last month at $19.75-$20.75 per cwt.
Fat basis export forecasts for 2014 and 2015 were lowered by 3.0% and 9.2%, respectively as Russia’s ban on imports from a number of dairy exporting countries will likely result in increased competition in export markets. 2014 and 2015 fat basis imports were raised by 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively as supplies in competing exporters are expected to be large.