Cheese prices started April on an upswing. The blocks closed Thursday at $1.43 per pound, up 10 1/2-cents on the Good Friday holiday shortened week, and 15 cents above a year ago and that’s no “April fools.” The barrels closed at $1.3750, up 6 1/4-cents on the week, and 11 1/2-cents above a year ago. Only two cars of each traded hands. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price lost 3.3 cents, slipping to $1.3019. Barrel averaged $1.2895, down 1.2 cents.

Butter closed at $1.4950, up a half-cent on the week and 31 1/2-cents above a year ago. Seven cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.4511, down 0.6 cent.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk closed the week at $1.2250, up 7 1/2-cents on the week. Extra Grade closed at $1.1650, up 4 1/2-cents. NASS powder averaged $1.0534, up 0.9 cent. Dry whey averaged 36.89 cents, down 0.1 cent.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.