News

Milk production slowing in the United States

The National Ag Statistics Service reports total milk production in October was 17.1 billion pounds up just 0.1 percent from October of 2014.  That is the smallest year-over-year increase since December of 2013.  The nation’s dairy herd added 32,000 cows to 9.3 million head but production per cow was down 5 pounds to average 1,835 for the month.

Milk production in the 23 major dairy states totaled 16 billion pounds in October, just 0.1 percent above October of last year. There were 38,000 more cows in the 23 states but production per cow was down 7 pounds from a year ago at 1,857.  Of the 23 major dairy states; 12 saw an increase in milk production compared to a year ago while 11 saw a decrease.

California milk production totaled 3.2 billion pounds in October down 5.5 percent from a year ago. The Golden State dairy herd slipped 2.000 head to 1.77 million cows and production per cow dropped 95 pounds to average 1,825.

Wisconsin milk production was up 4.5 percent in October to 2.44 billion pounds. This is the highest October milk production on record in Wisconsin.  The Badger State added 8,000 cows to make the herd 1.28 million and production per cow increased 70 pounds to 1,920.

Read the full NASS Report here: