MD_DA830                                                         
DA                                                               
MD DA830 Cheese - Midwest                                        

MADISON, WI.  November 18, 2009 (REPORT 46)                      

MIDWEST CHEESE:  The Midwest cheese market is steady with blocks at a new 2009 
annual high at $1.5825 and a very wide spread of 14 cents above barrels (11/16) 
on the CME Group cash market.  Current orders are fairly good seasonally with 
best interest from retail.  Many firms have issues filling and shipping orders 
around the combined holidays of Thanksgiving and deer hunting in parts of the 
upper Midwest.  Many firms have put in extra hours in recent weeks to stockpile 
finished product supplies to make up for reduced plant throughput next week.  
Most Thanksgiving orders have been shipped except for the "last minute" variety 
and where only minimal inventories are held.  Best interest remains for natural 
with supplies of most regular varieties adequate.  Orders have been generally 
good for pepper/jack and Colby/jack varieties that traditionally sell better in 
the fall.  Many cutters planned ahead and ordered extra load(s) of pepper jack 
and Colby/jack early.  Aged cheddar interest has improved though buyers avoid 
the more expensive priced months.  Process movement is steady to generally 
lighter seasonally with little if any overtime necessary.  Barrels are available 
from producers.  Milk intakes in the upper Midwest may have started to rebound 
from the annual lows recently.  Components are steady to seasonally slightly 
higher, generating good cheese yields.  
                                                                 
WISCONSIN WHOLESALE SELLING PRICES:  DELIVERED,                  
DOLLARS PER POUND (1000 - 5000 POUNDS MIXED LOTS)                
                                                                 
Process American 5# Loaf                   : 1.8325-1.9850       
Brick And/Or Muenster 5#                   : 2.0300-2.1500       
Cheddar 40# Block                          : 1.8600-2.5650       
Monterey Jack 10#                          : 1.9600-2.5650       
Blue 5#                                    : 2.4400-2.7500       
Mozzarella 5 - 6# (Low Moisture, Part Skim): 1.9100-2.6650       
Grade A Swiss Cuts 6 - 9#                  : 2.4250-3.3300    

1300c  George Koerner 608-250-3205