# Benchmark milk price headed higher - Dairy Star

> The USDA's August Federal Order Class III milk price was $16.64 per cwt, up $1.12 from July but 60 cents below August 2025. Class III futures pointed to higher September through December prices. The Mielke weekly notes that feed costs are climbing and that beef price strength is in question.

- Date: 2026-09-12 · published 2026-09-12T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: market · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/17620-benchmark-milk-price-headed-higher-dairy-star
- Commodities: [Milk (Class III)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/MILK.md)

## Why it matters

A higher Class III benchmark improves cheese-based milk returns, but rising corn and soymeal costs squeeze dairy margins, which could limit herd expansion and feed purchases.

## Read by commodity

- MILK: bullish ▲

## Sources

- dairystar.com: https://dairystar.com/stories/benchmark-milk-price-headed-higher,31339

---
Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.