Cash dairy prices remain a key focus among farmers, processors, bankers, and related industry suppliers and the news was good this week. The block cheese price gained 5 1/2-cents, closing at $1.3250 per pound, 3 1/2-cents above a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.3125, up 4 3/4-cents on the week, and a penny and a half above a year ago.

Eight cars of block traded hands on the week and 26 of barrel. The lagging NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price fell 5.6 cents, to $1.3344. Barrel averaged $1.3018, down 3.5 cents.

Butter closed Friday at $1.49, up 2 cents on the week, and 30 1/4-cents above a year ago. Only five cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.4569, up 2 cents.

Cash Grade A nonfat dry milk gained 3 1/2-cents on the week, hitting $1.15, while Extra Grade held at $1.12. NASS powder averaged $1.0446, up 0.3 cent, and dry whey averaged 37.03 cents, down a penny.

Provided courtesy of Dairyline.