Milk futures closed mixed. The increase in
cheese prices resulted in the nearby months closing with double-digit
gains except for July. The rest of Class III and IV futures were mixed.
Trade volume was large in the August and September contracts. Fluid milk
sales in May were 2.1% below a year ago.
Class III milk futures posted a strong week in
the nearby contract with September, October, and November contracts
closing above $18.00, where they had not been since May 21st. Strength
in cheese prices supported the gains. Futures may have limited upside
from here unless buyers continue to purchase cheese aggressively next
week. Class IV futures struggled, unable to find support from butter and
nonfat dry milk. Milk sales in May were 2.1% below a year ago. Whole
milk sales increased 0.1%; flavored whole milk increased 11.0%; reduced
fat milk decreased 5.4%; low fat milk decreased 9.7%; fat-free skim milk
decreased 11.3%; flavored fat-reduced milk decreased 8.2%; buttermilk
declined 2.0%, and other fluid milk product sales increased 24.1%.
Organic whole milk sales increased 2.0%; organic flavored whole milk
increased 1.9%; organic reduced fat milk decreased 2.0%; organic low-fat
milk decreased 8.0%; organic fat-free milk decreased 13.4%; organic
flavored fat-reduced milk decreased 16.1%; and other organic fluid milk
product sales decreased 100.0%.
| 3 Month: |
$17.20 |
| 6 Month: |
$17.59 |
| 9 Month: |
$17.55 |
| 12 Month: |
$17.54 |
For the week, block increased 8.00 cents with
27 loads traded. The weekly average price is $1.6055 compared to $1.5150
last week. Barrels increased 5.25 cents with 7 loads traded. The weekly
average price is $1.5950 compared to $1.5270 last week. Dry whey
increased 0.50 cent with 3 loads traded. The weekly average price is
69.40 cents compared to 67.90 cents last week. The block price moved to
the highest level since May 13th. Barrels moved to the highest level
since May 6th.
For the week, butter decreased 6.00 cents with
57 loads traded. The weekly average price is $1.6085 compared to
$1.6500 last week. Grade A nonfat dry milk decreased 8.50 cents with 37
loads traded. The weekly average price is $1.5045 compared to $1.5160
last week.
December corn closed up 3.50 cents per bushel
at $4.6750, November soybeans closed up 8.00 cents at $12.0300, and
December soybean meal closed down $3.90 per ton at $318.50. September
Chicago wheat closed up 8.00 cents at $6.8275. August live cattle closed
down $2.65 at $224.43. August crude oil is up $3.54 per barrel at
$82.49. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 407 points at 52,146,
with the NASDAQ down 362 points at 25,520.