U.S. Milk Production Update – Feb ’17
Executive Summary
U.S. milk production figures provided by USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Jan ’17. Highlights from the updated report include:
- U.S. milk production remained higher on a YOY basis for the 37th consecutive month during Jan ’17, finishing up 2.5% to a new record high seasonal level. U.S. milk production has increased 2.5% YOY throughout the first third of the ’16-’17 production season.
- The U.S. dairy cow herd increased by 6,000 head during Jan ’17, finishing at the highest figure experienced throughout the past 20 years. The total U.S. dairy cow herd currently stands at 9.36 million head, which is 56,000 head more than January of last year.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased on a YOY basis for the 15th consecutive month during Jan ’17 as growth in Midwestern yields outweighed declining Western yields. Gains in milk per cow yields continued to account for the majority of the milk production growth experienced throughout Jan ’17.