MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  August 16, 2017 (REPORT 33)                        

MIDWEST CHEESE:                                                  

Milk availability reports vary by area for cheesemakers in the Midwest region. Some 
cheese manufacturers report getting few to no spot milk offers. Others maintain that 
spot milk, although no longer discounted, is still available in their respective 
locales. Spot milk prices were reported from flat market to $1 over Class III. 
Multiple manufacturers report cheese demand has picked up. Some report that there has 
been a noticeable uptick in orders this week over last, and that year over year 
numbers have also improved. Cheese production is steady to a bit slower. Some plant 
managers have begun shifting from a 5-day to a 4-day workweek in order to find time 
for general maintenance and sanitizing needs. Barrel cheese inventories are long. 
Cheese market tones have slightly improved, although the overall tone remains 
uncertain. CME cash prices for barrel cheese continue to gain on the block price day 
by day, which gives contacts some hope for steadier markets ahead. The DMN National 
Retail Report-Dairy shows that August 11-17 Midwest ads for 8 ounce shred cheese have 
a weighted average advertised price of $2.12, 3 cents below the national average. 
Midwest prices range from $1.50-$2.99. One year ago, the national price was $2.25. 
For 8 ounce blocks, the Midwest average price is $2.79, 44 cents above the national 
average price. Midwest ads are priced from $2.00-$3.50. Last year, the national price 
was $2.17. In CME Group trading Wednesday, barrels closed at $1.6700, up $.0775 from 
last Wednesday and blocks closed at $1.7350, up $.0550 from last Wednesday.
Midwestern wholesale prices are unchanged for Swiss cuts, down $.0175 for process and 
down $.0475 for all other types.

WISCONSIN WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED,                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Process American 5# Loaf                   : 1.6500-2.0100       
Brick And/Or Muenster 5#                   : 2.0575-2.4825       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.7850-2.1800       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 2.0325-2.2375       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.3250-3.3125       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.8575-2.7975       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.6900-2.8075       

     
1300CT Israel.weber@ams.usda.gov 608-422-8601
USDA/AMS/Dairy Market News, Madison, Wisconsin
Dairy Market News website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/dairy
Dairy Market News database portal: http://www.marketnews.usda.gov/mnp/da-home