Milk supplies needed for fluid were tighter, between declines in the direct-shipped loads and demand for some other manufactured dairy products. Cream supplies seemed to be a bit tighter as more was being absorbed by Class II. Ice cream production is lighter seasonally though often concentrating on seasonal flavors.

Cheese milk interest was about steady to lighter. The available supply was limited and prices were fairly steady on a very light test. Most plants continue to operate on slightly heavier than recent-year early November schedules due to the milk received. Overall demand lacks the usual holiday season aggressiveness. The opportunity window to fill and ship orders for Thanksgiving use is disappearing fast. It seems like plants have more product to move, including current blocks and barrels. The usual fall tightness in pepper jack and/or colby jack has not been an issue reported this year.

While some natural packaging lines need overtime, it just seems the level needed is below recent comparable early November levels. One of the few varieties that buyers needed extra was mozzarella, but not a major task to find extra. Process movement is mostly lighter seasonally.

Aged cheddar interest is spotty, generally light, and depending on age/price considerations, at least adequate. Milk intake reports still vary, as do component trends in the upper Midwest, with receipts about steady to frequently lower.

In the South, receipts are showing a steady to generally higher intake level. In the mid-section, fluid receipts are often steady to slightly higher, depending somewhat on producers’ numbers left after sellouts. After recent rains left soaked fields, sunnier conditions helped harvest progress where conditions allow. Comments continue that crops have not field-dried down much. The delayed crop and wet field conditions may have also delayed corn silage from being harvested near peak condition. The recent wet conditions have increased the opportunity for mold in standing crops. Fall tillage is also behind.  PD