USDA reported this afternoon that milk production was down just 0.2% in August in the 23 major dairy states compared to last year. Nationally, milk production was down an estimated 0.3%.
The good news is that cow numbers are starting to decline, down 171,000 head nationally in August compared to a year ago. July cow numbers were down 145,000 compared to the previous year. There were also 30,000 fewer cows on dairy farms in August than in July.
Western production continues to show steep declines, with California down 4.5% and cow numbers down 64,000 head. Arizona was down 7.4%, Idaho was down 2.7%, and New Mexico was down 1.1%.
But the Midwest, thanks to very little August heat stress and higher cow numbers, continues to add milk production. Wisconsin was up 3.7% in milk and 5,000 in cows; Michigan was up 4.6% and 5,000 cows, and Minnesota was up 4.4% and 4,000 cows.
In the Northeast, New York was up just 0.2% and Pennsylvania, +0.7%. Vermont was down 4.7% in milk and 5,000 head in cows.
For the complete report, go to: www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/mkpr0909.txt
