Last Thing Dairy Markets Needed Was More Tariffs, Uncertainty
Published: Friday, June 7, 2019
The following is from Lee Mielke, author of a dairy market column known as "Mielke Market Weekly."
Just as we thought U.S. trade with Mexico would return to some semblance of normalcy, President Trump announced May 30 that he will assess a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports, effective June 10, to pressure Mexico to do more to reduce the number illegal immigrants passing through Mexico coming to the U.S. He warned that the percentage will gradually increase to 25 percent.
Markets do not like this kind of uncertainty, plus dairy markets were somewhat starved last week for information, other than the weather and political events, as USDA issued no major reports that the market regularly monitors.
Cash dairy prices ended the shortened Memorial Day holiday week mixed. CME block Cheddar cheese closed the last Friday of the month at $1.7150 per pound, up 3¼ cents on the week, highest since March 28, and 11¾ cents above a year ago. The barrels finished at $1.54, down 4 cents on the week, lowest since April 18 and 17½ cents below the blocks. They have lost 17 cents in three weeks but are 2 cents above a year ago. There were five cars of block traded on the week, 67 in the month of May. Thirty-two cars of barrel were sold on the week and 135 for the month.
FC Stone's Dave Kurzawski wrote in his May 30 Early Morning Update, "We know less Cheddar has been produced so far this year, but it's possible we've seen additional resources move back to barrel production, out of Mozzarella. Regardless, the market feels 'supplied' with fresh cheese right now, not 'over-supplied.'"
Dairy Market News reports that Central cheese demand was fairly slow throughout May, but contacts pointed to some positive movements in the Memorial Day week. Curd producers reported continued strength and some barrel producers stated that demand was outpacing their supplies.
Cheese production has increased. Some plants are running seven-day workweeks and plan to do so through the next few weeks. However, most producers suggest that last year's schedules were busier. Milk prices were reported from $1 to $2 under class, although offers were heavier last week and a number of cheesemakers were not on the spot milk market. In week 22 of previous years, spot milk prices averaged $4.50 under in 2018 and $4.75 in 2017.
Cheese market tones were "shakier," says DMN, as CME barrel prices began to put distance between them and the block prices. Cheese inventories in the area are still in "reasonable balance," while still heavy nationwide.
Cash butter shot up to $2.4075 per pound last Tuesday, highest CME price since May 30, 2018, almost one year ago. But it closed last Friday at $2.36, down 2¾ cents on the week and 1¾ cents below a year ago. Twenty-nine carloads exchanged hands on the week and 79 for the month of May.
Contacts suggest that the surge in the butter price may have been "rushed," as imports from Mexico and elsewhere are expected to keep U.S. markets in check. Cream was more available during the holiday weekend, but butter plant managers relay that cream access was back even with the previous week. Most contacts say they are content with their stocks heading into the fall busy season.
Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed last Friday at $1.0550 per pound, up a penny on the week and 23 cents above a year ago. Twenty-two cars found new homes on the week, 17 on Friday alone, and 59 for the month.
Dry whey ended last Friday at 35¼ cents per pound, three-quarter-cents lower on the week and 3¼ cents below a year ago, with five cars trading places on the week at the CME, and 25 for the month.
One thing that's "outstanding in the field" these days is water, due to the continuing rainfall in the Midwest. The Agriculture Department's latest Crop Progress report shows just 58 percent of the corn crop was planted, as of the week ending May 26, up from 49 percent the previous week, but down 32 percent from a year ago and 32 percent behind the five-year average. Thirty-two percent of the corn has emerged, up from 19 percent the previous week but 37 percent behind a year ago and 37 percent behind the five-year average.
"This is a problem," notes FC Stone's Dave Kurzawski. "Between lower acres planted, weaker than expected emergence (32 percent vs. 66 percent) and what we can only imagine will be compromised final yields, the 2.4 billion plus bushel carryout no longer looks overwhelming. In fact, it may not be enough."
He adds, "The delayed planting has the potential to impact the corn crop and price in two significant ways. First would be the potential loss of planted acres. Currently, forecasts have called for a loss of corn acres ranging from 3-10 million. The worst loss of acreage on record was 4 percent of the planted acres, 3.3 million, in 1995. The loss of 4 million acres or more would put the U.S. in demand rationing mode without considering a decline in yields. The second concern is the impact on yield the late plantings will have. The longer farmers are forced to delay getting the corn in the ground the larger the potential decline in crop yield."
Farmers have 29 percent of the soybeans are in the ground, up from 19 percent the previous week, 45 percent behind a year ago, and 37 percent below the five-year average. Eleven percent have emerged, down from 44 percent a year ago and 24 percent behind the five-year average. The cotton crop is 57 percent planted, up from 44 percent the previous week but 4 percent behind a year ago, and 1 percent behind the five-year average.
Subsidized dairy exports continue via Cooperatives Working Together (CWT). Member cooperatives accepted six offers of export assistance last week to help capture sales of 101,413 pounds of Cheddar cheese, 654,773 pounds of butter and 2.866 million pounds of whole milk powder. The product will go to customers in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa from June through September.
In other trade news, China imported a record amount of skim milk powder in April, according to HighGround Dairy's Lucas Fuess in the June 3 Dairy Radio Now broadcast. Whole milk imports were also "extremely impressive."
The bad news, he said, is that China continues to diversify where it makes its purchases, with less coming from the U.S. due to the ongoing trade dispute. China continues its purchases from New Zealand and Europe as well as South America and Belarus. Fuess reported that Belarus can now ship product directly by rail to China so purchases can be made within a 10-day time period.
The message for the USA, says Fuess, is to continue to be competitive in getting products to China as well as on a global basis.
New Zealand trade data was also issued last week, and Fuess reported that skim milk and whole milk powder exports were very good despite the lower milk output toward the end of their production season. He said they believe New Zealand is clearing their inventories before their new milk production season begins.
"Overall, global milk output is viewed by HighGround Dairy to be a bit below what we anticipate global demand will be," said Fuess. "With continued strong protein and dairy demand from China, HighGround Dairy continues to hope for bullish prices in the back half of the year."
Speaking of New Zealand, the Daily Dairy Report says, "For the second consecutive month, New Zealand milk production fell below prior-year levels as output totaled just over 3 billion pounds, down 8.4 percent compared to the previous year. Pastures deteriorated this year as rainfall slowed, spurring dairy producers to dry cows early. April output was the lowest for any April since 2015."
The DDR also stated that New Zealand and Australia milk production for April totaled just 4.2 billion pounds, 10 percent below prior-year levels and the lowest for April since 2014.
DMN also reported that EU milk production January through March was down .1 percent from a year ago according to Eucolait. March output was up 1 percent. March year over year milk production in Poland was up 3.6 percent. Belarus, January to March cheese exports increased 24.6 percent from 2018. Cheese exports to Russia, the top destination, increased 22.9 percent.
Checking the rearview mirror, the USDA's 2018 Milk Production Disposition and Income Summary, issued May 30, reported that U.S. milk output increased 1 percent in 2018 to 218 billion pounds. Output per cow averaged 23,149 pounds, 235 pounds above 2017. The annual average number of milk cows on farms was 9.40 million head, down 7,000 from 2017.
Cash receipts from marketings of milk totaled $35.2 billion, down 7.1 percent from 2017. Producer returns averaged $16.28 per hundredweight, 8 percent below 2017. Marketings totaled 216.6 billion pounds, up .9 percent above 2017. Marketings include whole milk sold to plants and dealers and milk sold directly to consumers. An estimated 1.02 billion pounds of milk were used on farms where it was produced, up 2.6 percent from 2017. Calves were fed 91 percent of this milk, with the remainder consumed in producer households.
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