Dairy producers in other regions of the country likely are envious of Midwestern producers, who average just 30¢/cwt. in hauling charges.
Larger producers often get an even bigger break, since the majority of handlers charge a flat hauling fee regardless of the volume of milk shipped. As milk volumes increase, hauling charges per hundredweight decline, according to analysis released by the Upper Midwest Federal Milk Marketing Order this week.
Average hauling charges in the Upper Midwest Order range from about 22¢/cwt. to nearly $1. Areas outside the fluid milk shed pay the highest rates, where they typically pay 85¢/cwt. Counties closest to Eau Claire and Milwaukee, Wis. pay the lowest rates--16¢/cwt. or even less.
Wisconsin has the lowest state average hauling charge of 22¢/cwt. North Dakota producers pay the most, averaging 96¢/cwt.
