News

A quiet day in the dairy markets

A rather quiet end to the week in the dairy markets, cash cheese barrels and blocks unchanged on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange on Friday, in fact there was no activity. Cash butter gained three-quarter-cent on two sales and one unfilled bid. For the week cash cheese barrels up 4 cents, blocks gained 2.5 cents and butter increased .75 cents.

The hot weather is really starting to make an impact on dairy production across the middle of the country. Production is lower as are components, with the July 4th holiday right in the middle of the week, handlers are not quite sure how the flow of milk will go this week. Some plants are planning to shut down for the week, some for just the holiday, and some for the latter part of the week. Meanwhile, Dairy Market News says Class II demand is pulling heavy volumes for ice cream and mix production.

The Ag Marketing Service says the weighted average advertised price for organic milk half-gallons is $3.27 compared to $2.13 for conventional half-gallons. That $1.14 spread is a dime below the average we have seen this year. Organic gallons are averaging $4.98.