# Why This Moment Is Different | Center for Dairy Excellence

> February 2026 Class III milk price was announced at $14.94 per cwt, up 35 cents from January but well below the 2025 average of $18.01. Class IV rose to $16.29, and CME Class IV futures for March and April through June are trading above $19 and $20. Class III futures are rebounding more slowly, reaching just above $18 for June.

- Date: 2026-03-19 · published 2026-03-19T12:00:00.000Z
- Category: market · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/20317-why-this-moment-is-different-center-for-dairy-excellence
- Commodities: [Milk (Class III)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/MILK.md)

## Why it matters

Class IV futures strength suggests firmer dairy protein demand, though the milk supply surge continues to restrain Class III gains. Buyers should expect milk price recovery to be uneven across product classes.

## Read by commodity

- MILK: bullish ▲

## Sources

- centerfordairyexcellence.org: https://www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/about-the-center/news-featured-article/markets-management/center-focus-column/why-this-moment-is-different/

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