Total milk production in U.S. in February was 14.76 billion pounds, up 0.1 percent from a year ago. Production per cow increased 37 pounds to average 1,625 per cow. The number of dairy cows in the United States was 201,000 less than a year ago at 9.088 million but that does represent a 3,000-cow increase from January. That is the second month in a row that we have seen a 3,000-cow increase.
California milk production continues to decline, 3.089 billion pounds in February, 1.6 percent below February of last year. The Golden State dairy herd is still declining losing another 65,000 head compared to a year ago to 1.76 million cows however production per cow increased 35 pounds to average 1,755.
Wisconsin milk production jumped 5.7 percent compared to a year ago to 1.997 billion pounds. The Badger State dairy herd added 5,000 cows to 1.26 million head and production per cow increased 80 pounds to 1,585.
Rounding out the top five compared to February, 2009: New York, 952 million pounds, down 0.7%; Idaho, 933 million pounds, up 3.7%; Pennsylvania, 822 million pounds, up 0.1%.
Of the 23 major dairy states, 10 saw an increase in production compared to a year ago. On a percentage basis, the biggest increase was Washington, up 6.9 percent while the biggest decrease was Missouri down 9.8 percent.
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1,625 pounds per cow — And not a drop for her own babies to drink. Ogres.