Milk Prices Today: Class I Farm Milk Price per cwt & Gallon
This month’s farm milk prices: the USDA Class I milk price for every Federal Milk Marketing Order, converted to price per gallon, with the month-by-month trend and year-to-date average. Class I is the price processors must pay for milk sold as fluid drinking milk.
Latest price month: Aug 2026
Class I milk prices by Federal Milk Marketing Order
| Order area | Aug 2026 ($/cwt) | Jul ($/cwt) | Year to date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (Order 1) | $23.86 | $26.43 | $23.51 |
| Appalachian (Order 5) | $24.36 | $26.93 | $23.97 |
| Florida (Order 6) | $25.56 | $28.13 | $25.10 |
| Southeast (Order 7) | $24.56 | $27.13 | $24.29 |
| Upper Midwest (Order 30) | $21.96 | $24.53 | $21.59 |
| Central (Order 32) | $21.96 | $24.53 | $21.56 |
| Mideast (Order 33) | $22.56 | $25.13 | $22.17 |
| California (Order 51) | $21.56 | $24.13 | $21.24 |
| Pacific Northwest (Order 124) | $21.46 | $24.03 | $20.89 |
| Southwest (Order 126) | $22.46 | $25.03 | $22.06 |
| Arizona (Order 131) | $21.36 | $23.93 | $20.93 |
| All Markets Combined | $22.97 | $25.56 | $22.60 |
Monthly Class I price, all markets
| Month | $/cwt | ≈ $/gallon |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | $20.56 | $1.77 |
| Feb 2026 | $18.92 | $1.63 |
| Mar 2026 | $19.69 | $1.69 |
| Apr 2026 | $22.88 | $1.97 |
| May 2026 | $24.38 | $2.10 |
| Jun 2026 | $26.40 | $2.27 |
| Jul 2026 | $25.56 | $2.20 |
| Aug 2026 | $22.97 | $1.98 |
1 cwt = 100 lb of milk ≈ 11.63 gallons (milk weighs about 8.6 lb per gallon). These are minimum prices processors pay for fluid (Class I) milk, not retail prices.
Source: USDA AMS Market News, 2026 Class I Milk Price, Monthly and Year-to-Date, report for September 29, 2026. These are reported averages, not live quotes, and your local buyer may pay more or less. This page checks for a new report every weekday evening (the price is announced monthly). Not financial advice.
The Four Milk Classes
| Class | Used for |
|---|---|
| Class I | Fluid milk for drinking |
| Class II | Soft products: yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, cream |
| Class III | Cheese (especially cheddar) and whey |
| Class IV | Butter and dry milk powder |
Dairy farmers are paid a blended price based on how their milk is used across all four classes, plus premiums for components (butterfat and protein) and quality.
Farm Milk Price vs Store Price per Gallon
A gallon of milk weighs about 8.6 lb, so one hundredweight (100 lb) is about 11.6 gallons. A Class I price of $22/cwt works out to roughly $1.90 per gallon of raw milk. The price in the grocery store adds processing, packaging, transport and retail margins, which is why it’s usually much higher.
What Moves Milk Prices
- Cheese and butter markets: Class I prices are based on Class III and IV values, which follow cheese, butter and powder prices.
- Feed costs: high corn and hay prices squeeze margins and can slow milk production.
- Exports: a large share of US dairy powder and cheese is exported.
- Season: milk production peaks in spring (“the flush”), which can pressure prices.
FAQ
What is the price of milk per gallon for farmers?
Divide the price per cwt by about 11.6. The table above shows each month’s Class I price converted to dollars per gallon.
Why is the Class I price different in each region?
Each Federal Milk Marketing Order adds a location differential, which is higher in areas like Florida and the Southeast where milk is scarcer and has to be shipped in.
How often is the milk price updated?
USDA announces Class I prices once a month. We check every weekday and update the page when a new month is added.
Is this financial advice?
No. These are public USDA prices for information only.