News

Milk production continuing to build

Milk production during August was up slightly on the year but down slightly on the month as milk per cow dropped some during the heat of the summer.

USDA says production in the U.S. was up nearly two percent compared last year at more than 18.6 billion pounds with production per cow up 27 pounds from last year. 

The herd size was up 42,000 head on the year and unchanged from last month.

Michigan continues to have the most productive cows in the nation. Vermont and Florida had the largest decrease in milk production during August while South Dakota was up nearly 11 percent, followed by Texas. Indiana and Kansas milk production was close behind, both increasing 6.6 percent from last year with herd sizes and milk per cow improving on the year.