May Class III Milk Futures closed out the week at $24.55 per cwt., a loss of 90 cents since last Thursday. There was no trading on Friday.  Monday was down 33 cents, Tuesday was down 75 cents, Wednesday was down 22, and Thursday was up 40 cents.  Friday's trade gained all of two cents.  It was a volatile week. 

May Class IV lost 40 cents to end out the week at $24.62 per cwt.  May through December Class III Futures on average lost 48 cents this week while Class IV for the rest of this year lost 48 cents. 

Milk-Feed Indices for May are $10.66 per cwt., which is off almost a dollar from last week's close.  Looking in to 2023, the first quarter averages $9 plus small change.  So that's all disturbing, but important for you folks to know because it warrants thought. 

Block cheese lost two cents this week, barrels lost seven per lb. Butter lost nine cents, non-fat dry milk lost seven cents and whey whas steady.

I enjoyed two days in Wisconsin this past week.  My trip included a night at Hotel Retlaw in Fond du Lac, followed by a trip to Fieldstone Farm in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.  At Fieldstone I visited with David Bachmann, Sr., and found him active, mobile and sharp at age 93. 

Those of my vintage and earlier will remember Mr. Bachmann as the leading breeder and owner of All-American Holsteins at his Pinehurst Farm in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin.  Pinehurst was for two years Premier Breeder and Exhibitor at all three National Holstein Shows and in one year exhibited Grand Champion Female at all three national shows.

I bought several bulls and frozen semen at Pinehurst, but most of my conversations with Mr. Bachmann over the years involved the intricacies and challenges of a viable farm enterprise.  He had three men on staff for over 40 years each, in additional to many gifted livestock men who were there for shorter tenures.  He also mentioned Mrs. Danks, who kept Pinehurst in order. 

His other ag activities have included a major cattle auction business, frozen semen sales, significant export activity, the Great Northern Land and Cattle Co., and other enterprise.  He emphasized the primary significance of the three gentlemen who were at Pinehurst their entire adult lives, and how their devoted efforts on the farm allowed him to travel and enhance the value of registered Holsteins for all breeders in the United States.

Returning home, I stopped at the Horse Fair at what we know as the World Dairy Expo grounds in Madison.  Every parking spot was occupied, and the little grass islands held two cars each.  The whole Horse Fair was a generally crowded, unclean, unornamented event, all with a $20 per person admission charge. One young person came up and asked if I would like a copy of God's Word which I politely declined.  I, however, encouraged her to come back with friends in late September when "their witness would really be needed, and to the glory of God."  

On my way home from the big Horse Fair, it occurred to me that I should have canvassed the stable servants on the wash racks and pitch forks for those willing to contract for nightline next weekend.