In February the USDA estimates there was 9,312,000 dairy cows in milk, 4000 head more than the previous February (+0.04%) and 2000 head more than in January.
Cow productivity levels were up 0.9% compared with the previous February after being adjusted for the extra day of milk associated with leap year. This is the largest increase in per cow output recorded since May 2015.
In February 2017, 19,605 million pounds of milk was produced across the US, being 4.6% more than the previous February. After the extra day of milk is accounted for output was up just 0.96%. Actual milk output data recorded for the 23 main dairying states recorded a similar trend with output up 0.99% after being adjusted for leap year.
The majority of the growth in output continues to come from the mid-west. The largest growth in output – after being adjusted for leap year – came from the states of: Wisconsin (+5.1%), Michigan (+7.8%), South Dakota (10.6%), New York (+4.6%).
California milk output was down 2.9%, and most of the southern states also recorded year-on-year falls in output for February.
US February 2016 milk production vs February 2015 – adjusted for leap year
Source: USDA, AgriHQ
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