Exports now represent about 14 percent of all U.S. milk production, according to a recent look at U.S. trade data by Jim Dunn, professor of agricultural economics at Penn State University.

Dunn noted that dairy exports have far exceeded imports for 2012 to date, providing a significant boost to the industry. He added that the trade surplus averaged $236 million per month for the first seven months of this year and, even though exports dropped in recent months, they still were at $170 million in July.

• Read Dunn's comments here.