Total cheese production was 929.5 million lbs. (an all-time high), up 2.4% from the prior year, according to USDA’s “Dairy Products” report released yesterday afternoon (see chart).

Cheddar output was even with the year before, mozzarella was up 4.0% (also the biggest month ever) and production of other varieties was up 2.8%.

For the year, total cheese production was 1.7% higher than 2010.

Meanwhile, butter production in December was 165.9 million lbs., up just 5.2% from year-ago levels. NDM/SMP output was 186.8 million lbs., up 12.4%. Dry whey production was just 83.0 million lbs., down 7.1%, USDA says.

Year-end NDM stocks were 165.4 million lbs., up 20.8 million lbs. (+14.4%) from a year ago, and the highest end-of-year figure since 2008.

The January California 4b (cheese milk) price is $14.23, down 91¢ from November and the lowest since January 2011. The California 4a (butter/powder milk) is $16.18, down 41¢ and the lowest since December 2010. Federal Order Class III/IV prices come out tomorrow morning.

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