USDA reported this afternoon that milk production in the United States and in the 23 major dairy states was down 1% in November compared to a year ago.
Milk cow numbers are down an astounding 242,000 from a year ago, and down 7,000 head from October. Expect those numbers to decline even further as the third round of Cooperatives Working Together program culls the remainder of the 26,000 cows accepted into the program this month.
California continues to lead the production decline, with milk cows numbers down 80,000 from November 2008 and milk production down 179 million lb. (5.4%), or roughly 6 million lb. of milk per day. Arizona reports the largest percentage decline at 10.7% in milk production, and 20,000 fewer cows.
The Northeast also is reporting few cows, with New York down 13,000, Pennsylvania, -11,000 and Vermont, -5,000 cows. Of these three, Pennsylvania was only one showing a production increase of 1.3% on the strength of 50 lb/cow/month more milk.
The Midwest continues on its growth path, with Wisconsin up 4.5% in milk production and 4,000 more cows than a year ago. Michigan is up 2.1% on milk with 1,000 more cows. Minnesota is up 1.1% with 2,000 more cows, and Iowa is up 2.6% on milk with the same number of cows.
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