August federal order prices move higher

August federal order manufacturing class milk prices were up from July, but remain well below a year ago. Prices, announced Aug. 29, are as follows:

• Class II: $15.64/cwt., up $1.13 from July, but $5.91 less than August 2011.

• Class III: $17.73/cwt., up $1.05 from July and the highest since December 2011, but $3.94 less than August 2011.

• Class IV: $15.76/cwt., up $1.31 from July and the highest since February 2012, but $4.38 less than August 2011.

Through January-August 2012, the Class II average is $15.88/cwt., down $3.88 from the same period in 2011. The Class III average is $16.23/cwt., down $1.95 from a year earlier. The Class IV average is $14.95/cwt., down $4.54 from January-August 2011. 

California’s Class 4a/4b prices will be announced Sept. 4.

August federal order class prices ($/cwt.)