Mielke Market Weekly

This column was written The November Class IV for the marketing week end- price is $23.30 per cwt., ing Dec. 2. down $1.66 from October,

The U.S. Department of $4.51 above a year ago, and Agriculture announced the the lowest Class IV since November Federal order January. Its average now Class III benchmark milk stands at $24.68, up from price at $21.01 per hun- $15.74 a year ago and dredweight. This is down 80 $13.50 in 2020. cents from October, but n $2.98 above November 2021. That put the 11-month average at $22.09, up from $16.96 at this time a year ago and $18.39 in 2020. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange cheddar blocks fell to $2.065 per pound on Nov. 30, but closed the first Friday in December at $2.10. This is

Dec. 2’s late morning Class III down a nickel on the week, but still futures had December at $20.20, 24.25 cents above a year ago. They which would result in a 2022 average also ended November 10.5 cents highof $21.93, up from $17.08 in 2021 and er than where they started the month $18.16 in 2020. at.

Looking ahead, the January contract After dropping 24.50 cents the previwas at $19.91; February, $19.86; and ous two weeks, the barrels slipped to March was at $20.00, with a peak at $1.80 per pound on Nov. 29 (the lowest $20.42 in September. since Aug. 8), but rallied to finished on

MIELKE MARKET WEEKLY By Lee Mielke MARKETING

Data supplied is anonymous

Dec. 2 at $1.8975. This is up 8 cents on the week, 29.5 cents above a year ago, and 20.25 cents below the blocks. They ended November 14.25 cents lower than their Nov. 1 perch.

Sales totaled seven cars of block for the week and eight for the month of November, down from 18 in October. Barrel sales totaled nine for the week and 28 for the month, down from 43 in October.

StoneX Nov. 30 “Early Morning Update” stated cheese demand is “Quiet right now. Buyers seem to, by and large, have what they need. On the flip side, we don’t get the sense that sellers are panicked either.”

Cheesemakers tell Dairy Market News milk was still plentiful after the Thanksgiving holiday. This week’s reported spot milk discounts were not as substantial mid-week as the previous week, but most were below Class. Some cheesemakers say current demand slowdowns have kept them from seeking extra milk. Some say it’s the seasonal slowdown, as retailers have filled their holiday pipelines while others suggest market price declines are keeping customers on the sidelines. Cheese production is somewhat steady.

Cheese demand is steady in western retail markets while food service demand is slightly higher following Thanksgiving. Export demand is strong, though lower prices in other countries may soften this demand in the coming weeks, warns Dairy Market News. Asian purchasers continue to buy loads for second quarter 2023 and are reportedly paying a healthy premium to secure them. Barrel inventories are more ample than blocks currently. Cheese makers say milk is available in the region, allowing them to run busy schedules but they are still hindered by labor shortages and delayed deliveries of production supplies. n

CME butter fell to $2.88 per pound on Dec. 1, but closed the next day at $2.90, down 4.75 cents on the week

See MIELKE, pg. 23

SWINE & U, from pg. 20 Anonymity and cost

The data collected from each farmer is kept anonymously, and for an annual industry report, the data is aggregated. Because Sustainable Environmental Consultants is a privately held company, individual farm information is private and not obtainable by outside groups. SEC provides individual farm sustainability reports to the specific farmer. This enables the producer to evaluate farm practices and make management decisions which can improve sustainability in the next season and beyond.

The blinded, aggregated data will be used at the state and national level to share real data on producers’ commitment to sustainability. Using these reports will allow the pork industry to continue to build trust in modern pig farming, while protecting pig farmers’ freedom to operate.

The On-Farm Sustainability project is available to any pig producer who sells pigs and pays check-off dollars to the National Pork Checkoff. Currently, the pig checkoff is 40 cents per every $100 of pork sold, and is automatically collected at the sale site.

Time commitment

On average, participation takes 2 to 4 hours. Participants have an initial interview and provide data collection for the previous growing seasons’ data (depending on farm size, each of these steps lasts about an hour). Any records work — either paper or digital. Farm data is confidential and the specific operation and data will not be shared. Results of all on-farm reports are kept in an aggregate of state and national reports to help learn and share the industry’s sustainability story.

How to participate

Here in Minnesota, Sustainability project participation is being managed by Lauren Servick, Minnesota Pork’s director of marketing and public policy engagement. Pig farmers who would like to learn more about the sustainability project can reach Servick at Lauren@mnpork.com or by calling (507) 345-8814.

Diane DeWitte is an Extension Educator specializing in swine for the University of Minnesota Extension. Her e-mail address is stouf002@umn. edu ❖

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