U.S. Milk Production Update – May ’16
Executive Summary
U.S. milk production figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Apr ’16. Highlights from the updated report include:
• U.S. milk production remained higher on a YOY basis for the 28th consecutive month during Apr ’16, finishing up 1.2%. The YOY growth rate was the second highest experienced in the past nine months on a percentage basis.
• The U.S. dairy cow herd increased by 4,000 head throughout Apr ’16, finishing at the highest figure on record experienced since Dec ’08.
• U.S. milk per cow yields increased on a YOY basis for the sixth consecutive month during Apr ’16 as growth in Midwestern yields offset YOY declines in yields experienced throughout the Western United States.
Additional Report Details
According to USDA, Apr ’16 U.S. milk production was up 1.2% YOY, at 18.0 billion pounds, setting a new April production record. U.S. milk production has increased YOY for 28 consecutive months through April. Production also increased MOM, finishing 1.0% higher on a daily average basis. The MOM increase in production was slightly less than the ten year average March – April seasonal increase of 1.2%.
U.S. milk production remained significantly higher on a YOY basis throughout the final months of 2014, however production growth decelerated over the majority of 2015. The Apr ’16 YOY growth rate of 1.2% was the second highest experienced in the past nine months but remained below the ’14-’15 annual growth rate of 1.9%.
YOY production gains on a percentage basis continue to be led by South Dakota (+10.5%), followed by Michigan (+6.5%), New York (+5.3%) and Wisconsin (+4.6%). California milk production declined YOY for the 16th consecutive month, finishing 3.3% lower, while production in New Mexico, Virginia, Florida, Utah and Kansas also finished below the previous year. California, Virginia, Florida and Utah experienced both a reduction in their milk cow herds and lower YOY milk per cow yields during Apr ’16 while New Mexico experienced a reduction in their milk cow herd and Kansas experienced lower per cow yields.
Overall, the U.S. milk cow herd increased by 4,000 head MOM during Apr ’16, reaching the highest figure on record experienced since Dec ’08. The total U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9,331,000 head, which is 15,000 head more than April of last year.
The U.S. milk per cow yield increased YOY for the sixth consecutive month, finishing 1.0% higher than the previous year. Milk per cow yields continue to trend higher YOY in the Midwest, more than offsetting declining milk per cow yields in the Western United States. Milk per cow yields increased by an average of 3.1% YOY within Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois while yields declined 0.3% YOY on average within California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
MOM increases in the milk cow herd were experienced in Texas (+5,000 head), Michigan (+1,000 head) and Iowa (+1,000 head). Wisconsin, Virginia and Florida each experienced MOM declines of 1,000 head during Apr ’16.
YOY increases in milk cow herds continue to be led by Michigan (+13,000 head), followed by South Dakota (+11,000 head) and Idaho (+6,000 head). New Mexico (-12,000 head) and California (-6,000 head) experienced the largest YOY reductions in their milk cow herds throughout the month.
U.S. milk production remained significantly higher on a YOY basis throughout the final months of 2014, however production growth decelerated over the majority of 2015. The Apr ’16 YOY growth rate of 1.2% was the second highest experienced in the past nine months but remained below the ’14-’15 annual growth rate of 1.9%.
YOY production gains on a percentage basis continue to be led by South Dakota (+10.5%), followed by Michigan (+6.5%), New York (+5.3%) and Wisconsin (+4.6%). California milk production declined YOY for the 16th consecutive month, finishing 3.3% lower, while production in New Mexico, Virginia, Florida, Utah and Kansas also finished below the previous year. California, Virginia, Florida and Utah experienced both a reduction in their milk cow herds and lower YOY milk per cow yields during Apr ’16 while New Mexico experienced a reduction in their milk cow herd and Kansas experienced lower per cow yields.
Overall, the U.S. milk cow herd increased by 4,000 head MOM during Apr ’16, reaching the highest figure on record experienced since Dec ’08. The total U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9,331,000 head, which is 15,000 head more than April of last year.
The U.S. milk per cow yield increased YOY for the sixth consecutive month, finishing 1.0% higher than the previous year. Milk per cow yields continue to trend higher YOY in the Midwest, more than offsetting declining milk per cow yields in the Western United States. Milk per cow yields increased by an average of 3.1% YOY within Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois while yields declined 0.3% YOY on average within California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
MOM increases in the milk cow herd were experienced in Texas (+5,000 head), Michigan (+1,000 head) and Iowa (+1,000 head). Wisconsin, Virginia and Florida each experienced MOM declines of 1,000 head during Apr ’16.
YOY increases in milk cow herds continue to be led by Michigan (+13,000 head), followed by South Dakota (+11,000 head) and Idaho (+6,000 head). New Mexico (-12,000 head) and California (-6,000 head) experienced the largest YOY reductions in their milk cow herds throughout the month.