Butter prices dipped under the $1.40 level; cheese production is robust and fluid milk processors are operating plants on extended schedules, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Since then FDA and our academic partner JIFSAN have held eight Good Agricultural Practices workshops in Mexico—more than in any other country. Numerous technical experts have shared their knowledge in areas such as laboratories, seafood and dairy processing, and food packaging. FDA has hosted 40 visitors in 14 delegations to facilitate information exchange between our countries.

Cheddar Cheese prices received for U.S. 40-pound blocks averaged $1.51 per pound for the week, up 1.8 cents. The price for U.S. 500-pound barrels adjusted to 38% moisture averaged $1.55 per pound, up 4.9 cents.

 Butter prices received for 25-kilogram and 68-pound boxes meeting United States Department of Agriculture Grade AA standards averaged $1.44 per pound for the week ending Feb. 18. The price per pound decreased 5.7 cents from the previous week. 

The new standards for school meals announced Wednesday by First Lady Michelle Obama and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack standards for the first time in more than 15 years and are said to improve the health and nutrition of nearly 32 million children that participate in school meal programs every school day.

Milk production in the 23 major milk-producing states during December totaled 15.4 billion pounds, up 2.7% from December 2010,