JAY – Wasau Paper is cutting production and laying off 40 workers at its mill in Jay.

The Wisconsin-based company blamed the cuts on high energy and pulp costs plus a downturn in orders.

According to a company spokesman, the mill will go from running seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to five days a week. The company has about 245 employees at the Jay mill, and about 40 hourly workers will be laid off.

Gary Rudemiller, a vice president at Wausau’s headquarters, said the cutbacks are intended to be temporary, but he can’t say how long they’ll last.