This compares to a 2.2% growth rate recorded in January 2015.
Compared to a year ago cow numbers are up by 100,000 head whilst production per cow is only marginally higher.
The largest milk producing state, California, again showed a sharp reduction in production with output down 3.8% from a year ago. But Wisconsin showed strong growth of 4.3%, while Idaho and New York showed more modest growth at .5% and 2.3% respectively.