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August cheese production up 3.5%

The USDA reports August 2015 cheese production was up 3.5% on the year at 974 million pounds. Italian and American type cheeses were also above year ago levels, at 409 million and 389 million pounds, for increases of 2.2% and 3.5%, respectively. Butter production was down 1.2% at 129 million pounds.

Nonfat dry milk for human consumption was 6.7% higher at 124 million pounds, while skim milk powders dropped 27.2% to 39.3 million.

Dry whey production increased 18.1% for a total of 83.9 million pounds, lactose for human and animal consumption was 2.9% lower at 88.7 million, and whey protein concentrate was down 11.4% to 39.8 million pounds.

Regular ice cream production was .08% lower at 67.3 million gallons, with lowfat 14.1% higher at 40.9 million. Hard sherbet was up 6.1% at 3.47 million gallons and frozen yogurt was down 1.3% to 5.58 million.

So far this year, U.S. cheese production is 2.5% ahead of last year’s pace at 7.749 billion pounds.