MINNEAPOLIS (DTN) -- The DTN spot price for domestic distillers dried grains (DDG) from 33 locations reporting for the week ended Sept. 25 was $145 per ton on average, unchanged versus one week ago.DDG prices were mixed but steady on average for the week, with the cash corn price slightly higher versus last week. Ethanol plant production was lower again, but so far supplies are still able to meet spot demand. The DTN National Average Corn Index is up $2 versus one week ago.
Based on the average of prices collected by DTN, the value of DDG relative to corn for the week ended Sept. 25 was 0.954%. The value of DDG relative to soybean meal was 53.07% and the cost per unit of protein for DDG was $5.37 compared to the cost per unit of protein for soybean meal at $5.75.U.S. Grains Council, in its weekly distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) export market prices report, showed as of Sept. 25, CIF NOLA barge price was down $13 at $208 metric ton (mt); FOB vessel Gulf price was down $2 at $227 mt; rail delivered PNW was steady at $234; and rail delivered to California was down $1 at $224 mt. The Mississippi River at Memphis is at -5.88 below zero gauge and while recent rain will help it rise to -4.1 feet by early next week, the next two weeks look dry and will cause another slow fall. Barge restrictions saw a slight reprieve on the LMR, but if river levels fall again, USCG will likely reinstate lower tow and draft sizes.The Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday for the week ended Sept.19 that overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.024 million barrels per day (bpd), down 31,000 bpd versus last week and 30,000 bpd, or 2.9%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.097 million bpd was 51,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year. Midwest ethanol production averaged 964,000 bpd, down 33,000 bpd versus last year and 32,000 bpd, or 3.3% higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.038 million bpd was 53,000 bpd
