Butter drove the dairy markets higher Thursday with the CME spot trade gaining 11 cents to finish at $2.68 3/4. Cheese was more mixed in the spot trade with Cheddar Blocks up 2 ¼ cents to $1.52 ¼ but cheddar barrels fell 1 ¾ cents to $1.44/lb. Widening our Block barrel spread to 8 cents. Dairy powders had Grade A Non Fat Dry milk up a penny to $1.20 even with Dry whey our only unchanged market at $0.44 1/4/lb.
Class IV was unchanged in January as we wind down the month at $19.25, but February rocketed up 49 cents to $19.55, and March gained 50 cents to $19.50/cwt. August- Dec class 4 all sit above $20/cwt.
Class III milk tagged along as well. January up 2 cents to $15.20, Feb up 28 to $15.86, and March gained 29 cents to $16.15/cwt. The balance of 2024 we up 2-14 cents.
