U.S. Milk Production Update – Mar ’20
Executive Summary
U.S. milk production figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Feb ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
U.S. milk production volumes had finished higher on a YOY basis over 61 consecutive months from Jan ’14 – Jan ‘19, reaching the longest period of consecutive growth on record, prior to declining by a total of 0.3% from Feb ’19 – Jun ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, reaching a two year high YOY growth rate throughout Feb ’20.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by Colorado (+7.5%), followed by Texas (+7.0%) and Idaho (+5.5%). Production finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Utah (-3.4%) and Illinois (-2.8%). Overall, 17 of the 24 states milk production figures are provided for experienced YOY increases in production throughout the month.
California milk production volumes increased on a YOY basis for the fourth time in the past five months during Feb ’20, finishing up 2.6%. California accounted for 19.1% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Nine of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY gains in production throughout Feb ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states finished higher by a weighted average of 2.2% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Feb ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 0.2% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by California, followed by Texas and Idaho, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Wisconsin. The YOY decline in Wisconsin production volumes was the fourth experienced in a row.
The Jan ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 13,000 head higher than previously stated while the Feb ’20 herd increased an additional 9,000 head from the January revised figure, reaching an 18 month high level. The U.S. milk cow herd had reached a three year low level during Jul ’19 prior to rebounding by a total of 55,000 head throughout the past seven months. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.37 million head, up 18,000 head from the previous year but remaining 68,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The U.S. milk per cow yield increased on a YOY basis for the 52nd consecutive month throughout Feb ’20, finishing 1.5% above the previous year. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 0.7% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 1.6% on a YOY basis, finishing higher for the first time in the past four months.
Month-over-month increases in milk cow herds experienced throughout Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado and New York more than offset a MOM decline in the California milk cow herd throughout Feb ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Texas, followed by Idaho, while Pennsylvania and Wisconsin experienced the largest YOY declines in their milk cow herds throughout the month.
- U.S. milk production increased 1.7% on a YOY basis throughout Feb ’20, reaching a record high seasonal level. The monthly YOY increase in milk production was the eighth experienced in a row and the largest experienced throughout the past two years.
- The U.S. milk cow herd reached an 18 month high level during Feb ’20, increasing 9,000 head from the previous month’s revised figure. Milk cow herd figures have increased by a total of 55,000 head throughout the past seven months, rebounding from the three year low level experienced throughout Jul ’19.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased on a YOY basis for the 52nd consecutive month throughout Feb ’20, finishing 1.5% above the previous year.
U.S. milk production volumes had finished higher on a YOY basis over 61 consecutive months from Jan ’14 – Jan ‘19, reaching the longest period of consecutive growth on record, prior to declining by a total of 0.3% from Feb ’19 – Jun ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, reaching a two year high YOY growth rate throughout Feb ’20.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by Colorado (+7.5%), followed by Texas (+7.0%) and Idaho (+5.5%). Production finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Utah (-3.4%) and Illinois (-2.8%). Overall, 17 of the 24 states milk production figures are provided for experienced YOY increases in production throughout the month.
California milk production volumes increased on a YOY basis for the fourth time in the past five months during Feb ’20, finishing up 2.6%. California accounted for 19.1% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Nine of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY gains in production throughout Feb ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states finished higher by a weighted average of 2.2% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Feb ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 0.2% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by California, followed by Texas and Idaho, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Wisconsin. The YOY decline in Wisconsin production volumes was the fourth experienced in a row.
The Jan ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 13,000 head higher than previously stated while the Feb ’20 herd increased an additional 9,000 head from the January revised figure, reaching an 18 month high level. The U.S. milk cow herd had reached a three year low level during Jul ’19 prior to rebounding by a total of 55,000 head throughout the past seven months. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.37 million head, up 18,000 head from the previous year but remaining 68,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The U.S. milk per cow yield increased on a YOY basis for the 52nd consecutive month throughout Feb ’20, finishing 1.5% above the previous year. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 0.7% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 1.6% on a YOY basis, finishing higher for the first time in the past four months.
Month-over-month increases in milk cow herds experienced throughout Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado and New York more than offset a MOM decline in the California milk cow herd throughout Feb ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Texas, followed by Idaho, while Pennsylvania and Wisconsin experienced the largest YOY declines in their milk cow herds throughout the month.