U.S. Milk Production and Cow Numbers Both Rise

The top six U.S. cow number states account for more than half of total U.S. production.
The top six U.S. cow number states account for more than half of total U.S. production.
(Farm Journal)

The February 2023 USDA Milk Production report showed an 0.8% increase in year-over-year milk production with a total of 17.7 billion lbs. of milk. Five of the top six states illustrated production growth except for California, which declined.

Also following suit, U.S. cow numbers documented growth, up 37,000 head from last February and up an additional 12,000 cows from last month. In fact, five of the top six states illustrated positive growth except for Wisconsin, which lost 3,000 cows.

Dan Basse, president of AgResources Company, told the PDPW audience last week at their business meeting in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., that the reason for a decline in cow numbers in the Badger State stems mostly from environmental pressures. 

State Production % Change Cows
California 3.282 billion lbs. -0.9% +3,000
Wisconsin 2.445 billion lbs. +0.3% -3,000
Texas 1.326 billion lbs. +5.5%   +22,000
Idaho 1.284 billion lbs. +3.4% +15,000
New York 1.222 billion lbs. +2.9% +10,000
Michigan 927 million lbs. +3.1% +7,000

These top six U.S. cow number states account for more than half of total U.S. production. Production per cow in the U.S. averaged 7 lbs. more than in February 2022.

Phil Plourd, president of Ever.Ag, says tailwinds from generally strong 2022 profitability continue to propel modest growth in our national herd size as well as milk output.

“That could continue for a bit, but we see headwinds on the horizon as lower milk prices cut into margins,” he says. “We doubt that milk production will be robust by the time the fourth quarter rolls around.”

Tanner Ehmke with Co-Bank says the new cheese processing capacity coming online in the Texas Panhandle also adds a tailwind to the herd growth in states like Texas and Idaho. The driver behind this is feed availability.

“Herd growth areas, like Texas and Idaho, are going to continue to get bigger,” he states.

 

Latest News

The Good, Bad and Ugly When it Comes to the Pork Industry Right Now
The Good, Bad and Ugly When it Comes to the Pork Industry Right Now

U.S. pork exports to Mexico hit the second-highest on record in January, while another major meat processor says it's shutting the doors on another pork processing plant as consolidation concerns continue to grow.

Novozymes And Chr. Hansen Complete Merger
Novozymes And Chr. Hansen Complete Merger

The new company will be called Novonesis, which means "a new beginning" - something they say is offered through their biology-based products.

How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team
How To Outline Clear Direction For Each Role On Your Team

“The single most important tool to predict peak performance is a very well-developed job description,” Dave Mitchell says.

New Data: The Scoop 2024 Salary Survey
New Data: The Scoop 2024 Salary Survey

Uncover industry trends in key ag retail roles with the results of The Scoop’s annual salary survey.

Know Your Business Pressures, Trends And Actions For Big Breakthroughs
Know Your Business Pressures, Trends And Actions For Big Breakthroughs

Mark Faust outlines a simple formula to improve profitability and create more value for you and the customer.

Three’s A Crowd: Hylio Secures FAA Drone Swarm, Night Flight Exemptions
Three’s A Crowd: Hylio Secures FAA Drone Swarm, Night Flight Exemptions

Spray drones are growing more ubiquitous and more scalable across agriculture. One company has unlocked the ability to deploy three at once and it’s a Smart Farming game changer.