The following charts and tables show monthly pool wide utilization of milk in terms of pounds per month and percentage of production per month. Viewing utilization by percentage of production eliminates variation that is based on the number of days in a month. In terms of utilization as a percentage of production, Class I utilization had a monthly average of 88.47% in Fiscal Year 2025 with the high of 92.48% in January 2025 and a low of 82.09% in March 2025. In the past, there has been a marked seasonal trend that was influenced by seasonal sales patterns and seasonality in milk production. Fiscal Year 2025 didn’t have the marked seasonal change of the past. This is most likely influenced by the increase in Class I packaged milk that was exported out of Montana throughout the fiscal year, and the lower dairy production pounds affecting the utilization rate. Class II utilization usually peaks in the summer months, driven by sales of ice cream and ice cream mix products. In Fiscal Year 2025 there was a spring peak along with the summer peak.

Pool Milk Utilization by Class Weight (lbs) Fiscal Year 2025