Butterfat and protein tests keep rising in the Central Federal Milk Marketing Order, reaching their highest levels in the past 20 years.
In 2019, the yearly average for butterfat reached 3.917 percent for the Central Order while protein tests rose to 3.185 percent.
The 20-year average for these tests is 3.712 percent for butterfat and 3.094 percent for protein. Along with rising milk production, this means that even greater amounts of butterfat and protein are being produced.
Somatic cell counts (SCCs) are also near 20-year lows, though they rose to 203,000 cells/mL in 2019 in the Central Order, up from 195,000 cells/mL in 2018. The 20-year average for SCCs in the Central Order is 260,000 cells/mL.
“Numerous factors can influence component levels in producer milk,” say Central Order economists. “The Central Federal Milk Marketing Order milkshed has shifted over the years, and this shifting has likely had an influence on changing component levels.”
For example, component levels tend to increase in cooler, less humid conditions while SCCs tend to decline. “Additional factors—such as breed selection, genetic composition of dairy herds, feeding practices and so on—are also potential influences of component trends,” says the economists.
