The cash dairy markets continued to strengthen the week of August 21. Block cheese closed Friday at the highest level since late January, $1.2950 per pound, up 5 1/2-cents on the week, but 17 1/2-cents below that week a year ago. Barrel closed at $1.29, up 4 3/4-cents on the week, but 19 cents below a year ago. 13 cars of block traded hands and 3 of barrel. The NASS U.S. average block price gained a penny, hitting $1.1717, while barrel averaged $1.1712, up 2.2 cents.