News

April milk production higher

 

Milk production in the United States in April totaled 17.8 billion pounds up 1.7 percent from April of 2014.  The nation’s dairy herd was 9.3 million cows in April up 65,000 from a year ago and production per cow was 1,911 up 19 pounds from last April.

Milk production in the 23 major dairy states totaled 16.6 billion pounds up 1.7 percent from April of last year.  The dairy herd in the 23 states increased 77,000 head from a year ago to 8.62 million cows and production per cow increased 16 pounds to a record 1,928 per cow.  Of the 23 major dairy states, 18 saw an increase in production compared to a year ago, Vermont and Virginia were steady while California, New Mexico and Oregon was below April of last year.

California milk production totaled 3.6 billion pounds down 2.1 percent from a year ago.  The Golden State dairy herd slipped 3,000 cows to 1.778 million head and production per cow dropped 40 pounds to 2,025 per cow.

Wisconsin milk production increased 4 percent to just under 2.4 billion pounds in April.  The Badger State herd added 9,000 cows to 1.278 million head and production per cow increased 60 pounds to average 1,875 per cow.