Milk production in the 24 major dairy-producing states saw a slight rise in September, totaling 17.5 billion lbs., a 0.2% increase compared to September 2023. August’s revised production figures were also up, reaching 18.2 billion lbs.—an increase of 0.5% from the previous year. The August revision added 85 million lbs. to the original estimate, highlighting a slow but steady rise in output.
Key figures from the September report include:
Production per Cow: Dairy cows in the 24 major states produced an average of 1,966 pounds of milk in September, 8 pounds more than in September 2023.
Number of Milk Cows: The total number of milk cows in these states was 8.89 million head, down 20,000 from the previous year but unchanged from August 2024.
A closer look at individual states shows that Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, Idaho and New York saw year-over-year increases in milk production, while states like New Mexico, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Arizona experienced declines.
- Arizona: Down 9,000 head. Down 17 million lbs., -4.6% lower.
- Idaho: Up 7,000 head. Up 25 million lbs., 1.8% higher.
- Kansas: Up 6,000 head. Up 10 million lbs., 3% higher.
- Minnesota: Down 9,000 head. Down 17 million lbs., -2% lower.
- New Mexico: Down 26,000 head. Down 47 million lbs., -9.1% lower.
- New York: Cow numbers remained the same. Milk rose 16 million lbs., 1.2% higher.
- South Dakota: Up 16,000 head. Up 30 million lbs., 7.9% higher.
- Texas: Up 20,000 head. Up 65 million lbs., 4.9% higher.
- Wisconsin: Down 4 million head. Down 14 million lbs., -0.5% lower.
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