Cheese prices keep climbing, up the fifth week in a row, driven primarily by climbing temperatures around the nation. The blocks closed July 16 at $1.5750 per pound, up 4 3/4-cents on the week, 43 cents above that week a year ago, and the highest they’ve been since December. Barrel closed Friday at $1.5250, up 2 1/2-cents on the week, 38 1/2-cents above a year ago, and a nickel below the blocks. Only one car of block traded hands on the week and none of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average price of block hit $1.4112, up 0.9 cents, while the barrels averaged $1.4201, up 1.9 cents.

Butter inched higher in an effort to bring sellers to the market closing Friday at $1.7750, up 1 1/4-cents on the week, 52 1/2-cents above a year ago, and the highest since December 2004. Only two cars were sold all week. NASS butter averaged $1.7201, up 1.7 cents. The Daily Dairy Report says cream is very tight due to strong Class II production and decreasing component levels in milk.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week at $1.2175, up three quarters of a cent. Extra Grade closed at $1.2250, down a half-cent. NASS powder averaged $1.2336, down 4.8 cents. Dry whey averaged 36.21 cents, down a penny.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.