Wisconsin’s total cheese production for December was higher compared to year-ago levels. The USDA reports that the state’s dairy plants produced 244.7 million pounds of cheese during the month–which was up 5.7 percent from this time last year, and 2.9 percent more compared to November 2012.Nationally, 949 million pounds of cheese was produced–up 2.0 percent from December 2011, and 3.8 percent above the previous month’s production totals (mainly because November has less days on the calendar).
Wisconsin’s production of American cheese increased as the state produced 68.9 million pounds, about 4.4 percent more than last year, and 5.8 percent above last month’s production. Cheddar output rose by 4.1 percent compared to 2011 to total 51.5 million pounds, and was 13.5 percent higher than the month earlier. Italian production was at 123.6 million pounds, up 2.3 percent above last year, and 4.3 percent higher for the month. And Mozzarella cheese in Wisconsin totaled 85.1 million pounds–about 5.6 percent more than December 2011, and 6.1 percent above November 2012.
Dry Whey output in Wisconsin was recorded at 24.6 million pounds, which was down 5.9 percent from last year, but 8.9 percent more than last month.
Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection
