According to data kept by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, EU beef production will drop in 2013 to 7.76 metric tons; its lowest level in 46 years, because of high grain prices, changes in subsidies and a reduced dairy herd. Even with the reduction in herd size, dairy production is expected to increase by 1.1% because of advances in productivity practices allowing farmers to produce more milk with less cows. In response to the short supply and therefore rising cost of beef, the European Commission states that poultry production is expected to increase. Pork production is also expected to fall by 3.2% in 2013 because of high feed costs and the cost of animal welfare upgrades ruled for in January.