The United States Department of Agriculture reported this afternoon that U.S. milk production was up just 0.4% in September, the slowest rate of increase all year. Third quarter production was also up just 0.9% as well.
Dairy cow numbers dipped 5,000 head in September from August, now totaling 9.31 million cows. But that’s still 36,000 head above a year ago.
California continues to lose milk production. It was down 3.6% in September compared to a year ago, the tenth straight month of production decline year over year. Cow numbers were down just 1,000 head, but milk per cow was down 65 lb., or roughly 2 lb/cow/day. New Mexico was also down 2% in milk production; Oregon was off 2.9%.
On the plus side of the ledger, South Dakota saw the biggest year over year increase, up 12.6%. Cows numbers in South Dakota are up 10,000 head over a year ago, and milk per cow is up 40 lb./cow.
Michigan also continued to grow milk production, but at a somewhat less torrid pace of 4%. Over the summer, Michigan milk production was growing 6 to 7%. In September, Michigan cow numbers were up 14,000 head over a year ago.
Wisconsin, the #2 dairy state, was up 3.1% in September. It, too, boasted 8,000 more cows and milk production was up 45 lb./cow for the month.
