MADISON, Wis. - Federal statistics show that Wisconsin is still the nation's big cheese.

[a kennedy]

Wisconsin produced 2.65 billion pounds of cheese last year. That accounted for a nation-best 26 percent of the U.S. cheese output in 2009.

Wisconsin also produced 477 million pounds of specialty cheese last year. That was an increase of 40 million pounds from the previous year, a 9 percent rise.

The state's most popular specialty cheese was Feta. Wisconsin produced nearly 68 million pounds last year, up 3 percent.

Other top products included Hispanic cheeses, Parmesan wheel and specialty Provolone.

The statistics were released this week by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/news/state-and-regional/wi/article_7d5f2a32-5ac2-11df-9f19-001cc4c03286.html

:woohoo: :applause:

[saltpoint]

1. Puts me in the mind of some tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.

And anybody who don't like it can go to hell.

Blessed are the cheesemakers.

On, Wisconsin!

[Callalily]

2. Well, you must admit,

Wisconsin cheese makers do make some mighty fine cheeses. And there's so many small, independent places that you can just buy direct.

Onward Cheeses!

[dembotoz]

3. fetal cheese number 1???-don't tell the anti abortion bunch