U.S. Milk Production Update – Aug ’14
According to USDA, Jul ’14 U.S. milk production was up 3.9% YOY, at 17,450 million pounds. The monthly YOY change was the largest in over two years. In addition, USDA revised Jun ’14 milk production up 0.3%, resulting in a 2.2% YOY increase. Midwestern production continues to rebound from adverse weather conditions, with aggregate YOY production in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois up 2.5% YOY. Western production rebounded from three straight months of YOY milk production declines in Mar – May ’14, with aggregate milk production in California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon up 3.9% YOY.
The number of milk cows on farms increased by 5,000 head in Jul ’14, to 9,272,000 total head, the highest figure since Apr ’12. The U.S. dairy herd increased for the eighth straight month in Jun ’14, increasing a combined 74,000 head over the period. Milk per cow yield was up 3.5% YOY, increasing to a new July record of 1,882 lbs. ‘13-’14 YTD milk production is up 1.3% YOY through the first ten months of the production season, which is substantially less than Europe and New Zealand production gains.
The number of milk cows on farms increased by 5,000 head in Jul ’14, to 9,272,000 total head, the highest figure since Apr ’12. The U.S. dairy herd increased for the eighth straight month in Jun ’14, increasing a combined 74,000 head over the period. Milk per cow yield was up 3.5% YOY, increasing to a new July record of 1,882 lbs. ‘13-’14 YTD milk production is up 1.3% YOY through the first ten months of the production season, which is substantially less than Europe and New Zealand production gains.