Except for blocks on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, milk futures were higher and cash dairy prices were stable to down. Class III milk went up $0.04 to $17.81 in February. March was $0.21 higher at $17.62. April was $0.18 higher at $18.01. May was $0.16 higher at $18.45. Contracts from June to December varied from six cents higher in September to eighteen cents higher in June. Class IV milk remained fairly steady in February, at $18.76/cwt, in March, at 18.66, and in April, at $18.83/cwt.
A mixed spot transaction in milk markets provides a spark on Wednesday. CME spot trading saw cheese blended with Cheddar Blocks rise 3 34/lb to $1.87 14, while barrels slipped 12 cents to $1.57/lb. The current spot average price is $1.72/lb. Butter and powders remained unaltered. Butter costs $2.39 12, Grade A Nonfat Dry Milk costs $1.23 12, and dry whey costs $0.43 per pound.
