Wisconsin Ag Connection - State & National Cheese Production Higher in January

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

State & National Cheese Production Higher in January
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/04/2010

Monthly cheese production numbers for the Dairy State were higher in January compared to a year ago. The USDA reports that Wisconsin's dairy plants produced 214 million pounds of cheese during the month--which was up 3.1 percent from last year, but 2.9 percent lower compared to the month earlier.

Nationally, 842 million pounds of cheese was produced--about 2.2 percent more than the same month in 2009, but 2.3 percent below the December 2009 production totals.

Wisconsin's production of American cheese decreased as the state produced 71.3 million pounds, about 0.8 percent less than last year, and 0.1 percent below last month's production. Cheddar output rose by 2.2 percent compared to 2009 to total 56.7 million pounds, and was 2.5 percent more than the month earlier. Italian production was at 103 million pounds, up 4.8 percent above last year, but 5.5 percent lower for the month. And Mozzarella cheese in Wisconsin totaled 70.3 million pounds--up 6.4 percent from January 2009, but 7.2 percent lower than December 2009.

Dry Whey output in Wisconsin was recorded at 26.3 million pounds, which was 14.3 percent above last year, and 3.6 percent higher than last month.