Milk production in the U.S. in May totaled 17.6 billion pounds up 2 percent from a year ago. That is actually the smallest year-over-year increase in 2012. The nation’s dairy herd stood at 9.27 million cows up 76,000 from last May while production per cow increased 2 pounds to average 1,901.
Milk production in the 23 major dairy states in May totaled 16.4 billion pounds, up 2.1 percent from May of 2011. Production per cow increased 22 pounds to 1,924 and the dairy herd in the 23 states grew by 77,000 head to 8.52 million cows.
California milk production totaled 3.7 billion pounds in May up 1.9 percent from a year ago. The Golden State dairy herd added 16,000 head to 1.78 million cows and production per cow increased 20 pounds to average 2,100.
Wisconsin milk production was up 2.4 percent in May to 2.339 billion pounds. The Badger State added 5,000 cows to make the herd 1.27 million head and production per cow increased 35 pounds to average 1,805.
Rounding out the top-five dairy states: Idaho 1.17 billion pounds of milk up 2.5%: New York 1.15 billion pounds of milk up 2.5%; Pennsylvania 919 million pounds down 2.1%.
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