Butter pricing is firming this week, cheese production nationally remains heavy, Northeast milk production is widely believed to have reached a plateau, and California milk output is mostly steady and remains at or near the seasonal peak, reports the USDA this week.

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.

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 March 17.

Dry Whey prices received for bag, tote, and tanker sales meeting USDA Extra Grade standards averaged 61.9 cents per pound, an increase of 1.3 cents.

Butter prices received for 25 kilogram and 68 pound boxes meeting United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grade AA standards averaged $1.42 per pound for the week ending Feb. 25, 2012. The U.S. price per pound decreased 2.2 cents from the previous week.

Butter prices decreased 4.3 cents from the previous week.

Butter prices received for 25-kilogram and 68-pound boxes meeting USDA Grade AA standards averaged $1.59 per pound. The U.S. price per pound decreased 0.3 cents.

Butter prices averaged $1.60 per pound for the week ending Jan. 7, 2012, an increase of 1.4 cents from the previous week.