U.S. Milk Production Update – May ’15
According to USDA, Apr ’15 U.S. milk production was up 1.7% YOY, at 17,785 million pounds, setting a new monthly record high on a daily average basis. Production also increased 1.6% MOM on a daily average basis vs. Mar ’15 figures as production continues to build seasonally. The Apr ’15 seasonal build was higher than the ten year average March – April increase in production of 1.2%.
U.S. milk production gains accelerated on a YOY basis throughout much of 2014, as shown below, however production growth tapered off over the final quarter of the year and into 2015. The Apr ’15 YOY growth rate of 1.7% increased above levels experienced in Mar ’15 but remains below the 2014 calendar year average YOY growth rate of 2.4%.
YOY production gains on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+9.8%), Kansas (+6.8%) and Michigan (+6.5%). California milk production declined YOY for the fifth consecutive month, finishing 2.1% lower, while production in New Mexico and Oregon also finished lower than the prior year. California, New Mexico and Oregon experienced lower YOY milk per cow yields while California also experienced a reduction in their milk cow herd.
Overall, the U.S. milk cow herd expanded slightly in Apr ’15, with the number of milk cows on farms increasing by 1,000 head vs. the Mar ’15 revised figure. The total milk cow herd stands at 9,305,000 head, which remains 65,000 head more than April of last year. Milk per cow yield was up 1.0% YOY, increasing to 1,911 lbs.
Milk cow herds increased MOM in Wisconsin (+2,000 head), Idaho (+1,000 head), Iowa (+1,000 head), Kansas (+1,000 head) and South Dakota (+1,000 head) but continued to decline in Texas (-2,000 head) and California (-1,000 head), while also declining in Vermont (-1,000 head).
YOY increases in milk cow herds continue to be led by Michigan (+20,000 head), followed by Idaho (+12,000 head) and Wisconsin (+9,000 head). California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Virginia experienced slight YOY reductions in milk cow herds.
U.S. milk production gains accelerated on a YOY basis throughout much of 2014, as shown below, however production growth tapered off over the final quarter of the year and into 2015. The Apr ’15 YOY growth rate of 1.7% increased above levels experienced in Mar ’15 but remains below the 2014 calendar year average YOY growth rate of 2.4%.
YOY production gains on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+9.8%), Kansas (+6.8%) and Michigan (+6.5%). California milk production declined YOY for the fifth consecutive month, finishing 2.1% lower, while production in New Mexico and Oregon also finished lower than the prior year. California, New Mexico and Oregon experienced lower YOY milk per cow yields while California also experienced a reduction in their milk cow herd.
Overall, the U.S. milk cow herd expanded slightly in Apr ’15, with the number of milk cows on farms increasing by 1,000 head vs. the Mar ’15 revised figure. The total milk cow herd stands at 9,305,000 head, which remains 65,000 head more than April of last year. Milk per cow yield was up 1.0% YOY, increasing to 1,911 lbs.
Milk cow herds increased MOM in Wisconsin (+2,000 head), Idaho (+1,000 head), Iowa (+1,000 head), Kansas (+1,000 head) and South Dakota (+1,000 head) but continued to decline in Texas (-2,000 head) and California (-1,000 head), while also declining in Vermont (-1,000 head).
YOY increases in milk cow herds continue to be led by Michigan (+20,000 head), followed by Idaho (+12,000 head) and Wisconsin (+9,000 head). California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Virginia experienced slight YOY reductions in milk cow herds.