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USDA: April milk production up on year

The USDA says milk production in the top 24 states during April 2020 was 17.825 billion pounds, up 1.6% from April 2019. The top state overall was California, followed by Wisconsin and Idaho.

The per cow average was 2,013 pounds, 17 more than last year, with Michigan holding the highest average, 90 pounds ahead of the runner-up, Colorado.

The number of dairy cattle in the primary production states was 8.853 million head, down 4,000 on the month, but up 65,000 on the year.

The USDA’s next annual milk production estimate is out June 11th.

Production, averages, and cows in listed Brownfield states:

Illinois: 153 million pounds, up 0.7% from April 2019; average of 1,870 pounds per cow, 60 higher than a year ago; 82,000 cows, 2,000 less than last year

Indiana: 350 million pounds, down 0.3% from April 2019; average of 1,990 pounds per cow, 30 higher than a year ago; 176,000 cows, 3,000 less than last year

Iowa: 449 million pounds, up 1.6% from April 2019; average of 2,050 pounds per cow, 30 higher than a year ago; 219,000 cows, unchanged from last year

Michigan: 965 million pounds, up 1.6% from April 2019; average of 2,255 pounds per cow, 20 higher than a year ago; 428,000 cows, 3,000 more than last year

Minnesota: 825 million pounds, up 0.4% from April 2019; average of 1,855 pounds per cow, 20 higher than a year ago; 445,000 cows, 3,000 less than last year

South Dakota: 241 million pounds, up 6.6% from April 2019; average of 1,870 pounds per cow, 35 higher than a year ago; 129,000 cows, 6,000 more than last year

Wisconsin: 2.539 billion pounds, statistically unchanged from April 2019; average of 2,014 pounds per cow, 15 higher than a year ago; 1.26 million cows, 9,000 less than last year