February milk production in the 23 major dairy states was down 2.5% compared to a year ago, USDA reported this afternoon. A couple of caveats, however: First, February 2008 was 29 days in length, so it was 3.45% longer than February 2009. In addition, USDA added Utah to its list of major dairy states and dropped Kentucky from the list, resulting in a slight shift in the numbers as well.
Cow numbers in the 23 states were also running 31,000 head above last February, but 16,000 head fewer than January 2009. Milk per cow was also down 48 lb. in February 2009 compared to last year.
California saw its production decline 5.8% from last year. Wisconsin was down 2.5%, New York, -3.6%, Pennsylvania, -3.3% and Idaho, -1.9%.
For the complete report, go to: www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/mkpr0309.txt
