LOOKING BACK, 2004 HAS BEEN QUITE A good year. With the October Class III price coming in at 14.26 dollar, November at 14.89 dollar and December estimated to be near 16 dollar, milk prices definitely ended the year on a strong note. In fact, the ClassIII price will set a new record average of 15.40 dollar for the year, compared to 11.42 dollar for 2003. The average all-milk price also will set a new record of about 16.75 dollar for the year, compared to 12.53 dollar in 2003. Cheese and butter faredwell in the last quarter, too. With fresh butter and cheese in tight supply, strength in the butter and cheese markets carried through until early December -- avoiding the traditional fall-quarter decline.
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