News

Milk production up for 2021, down in December

Milk production for 2021 ended 1.4 percent higher than 2020 with more productive cows and efforts for a smaller herd.

USDA says production in the U.S. for December totaled nearly 19 billion pounds, down slightly from last year, with production per cow up 12 pounds from 2020. 

The herd size was down 64,000 head on the year and on the month but up 60,000 head for all of 2021. 

South Dakota production continues to grow significantly compared to other regions and it grows its herd size, up 20 percent followed by Texas, up more than three percent.  Production in New Mexico declined by 15 percent, followed by Washington. Michigan remains the leader in per cow output.