News

U.S. milk production up 2.1% in October

Milk production in the United States in October totaled 16.2 billion pounds up 2.1 percent compared to October of 2010. There were 9.2 million dairy cows in the country in October, 96,000 more than a year ago. Production per cow increase 17 pounds to average 1,760.

Milk production in the 23 major dairy states totaled 15.2 billion pounds in October, up 2.5 percent from a year ago. Production per cow in the 23 states increased 20 pounds to average 1,787 while the dairy herd increased 111,000 to 8.48 million head. Of the 23 major dairy states, 17 saw an increase in production compared to a year ago while 6 saw a decrease.

California milk production totaled 3.425 billion pounds in October up 2.4 percent from a year ago. The Golden State added 27,000 cows taking the herd to 1.779 million head while production per cow increased 15 pounds to 1,925.

Wisconsin milk production in October totaled 2.16 billion pounds up 1.7 percent from last October. Cow numbers held steady at 1.264 million head but production per cow increased 30 pounds to 1,710.

Rounding-out the top five: Idaho, 1.12 billion pounds up 1.7%; New York 1.05 billion pounds down 0.2%; Pennsylvania 872 million pounds down 1.7%.

Read the full NASS report here: