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Milk production jumped in July

Milk production in the U.S. in July totaled 17.5 billion pounds up 3.9 percent from July of 2013.  This is the largest year-over-year increase of 2014.  The dairy herd added 37,000 head and production per cow increased 64 pounds to average 1,882 per head.  The U.S. dairy herd grew by 5,000 from June.

Milk production in the 23 major dairy states was up 4 percent to 16.4 billion pounds, also the largest increase of the year.  Production per cow in those states increased 61 pounds from a year ago to 1,911, the highest for July since the report series began in 2003.  There were 8.58 million dairy cows in the 23 states an increase of 56,000 from last July and 6,000 more than in June.  20 of the 23 major dairy states had an increase while Minnesota, New Mexico and Oregon has slight decreases.

Despite the drought, California milk production continues to increase over year-ago levels.  The Golden State produced 3.5 billion pounds of milk in July up 4.4 percent from July of 2013.  The California dairy herd actually declined 2,000 head to 1.78 million but production per cow jumped 85 pounds to 1,980.

Wisconsin milk production was just under 2.4 billion pounds in July up 3.4 percent from July of last year.  The Badger State dairy herd declined by 2,000 to 1.27 million head but production per cow increased 65 pounds to 1,885.

Read the full NASS report here: