At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange class III milk futures closed mixed Wednesday supported somewhat by a strong cash market. For the fourth quarter average, which again finishes at calendar average ends at $16.22. Class IV once again found support with nearby prices rising as much as 13 cents. The average price from now through the end of the year moves a nickel higher to $15.21, and the 2019 average remains unchanged at $15.96. September milk closed unchanged at $16.14. October up six cents at $15.95. November three cents lower at $16.39. December down four cents at $16.22. January through next August contracts closed two cents lower to four cents higher.
Barrels jumped 5 and three-quarter cents to finish at $1.39 and three-quarters while blocks rose 2 and a half cents to $1.66. This leaves the spread between the two at 26 and a quarter cents. Butter rose as well, moving a penny and three-quarters higher to $2.29 and three-quarters while whey futures set a new record moving up to 53 and a half cents, just a half cent higher over Tuesday’s finish. Grade A nonfat dry milk remained unchanged and ends once more at 87 and a half cents. Dry whey closed up $0.0050 at $0.5350.