January Milk Production Up 2.3%
USDA reported this afternoon that January milk production in the United States was up an estimated 2.3% compared to a year ago. Cow numbers were up 68,000 head compared to January 2010, and up 16,000 head compared to December 2010.
The January report also revealed that Idaho moved up to the Number 3 milk producing state in 2010, out producing New York by 66 million pounds of milk. While New York production climbed 2.3% last year and cow numbers fell 8,000 head to 611,000/ Idaho’s production was up 5.2% and cow numbers jumped 14,000 head to 564,000. The difference was milk per cow: New York bossies averaged 20,807 lb. last year. Idaho cows pumped up an average of 22,658 lb., or nearly 9% more.
In January, California, the nation’s largest milk producing state, was up just 0.7% from a year ago. Cow numbers in the Golden state were unchanged from December, and actually down 11,000 head from January 2010.
Wisconsin milk production climbed 1.6% from a year ago, with cow numbers up 5,000. Other gainers were: Florida, +8.8%; Colorado, +8.5%, Kansas, +7.8%; Texas, +7.7%; Arizona, +7.5%; New Mexico, 6.1%, Idaho, +5.3%, and New York, 4.4%. States showing declines include: Missouri, -4.8%, Virginia, -1.3% and Minnesota, -0.3%. Missouri’s cow numbers also fell 7,000, head, a drop of 6.9%.
For the complete report, click here.
