U.S. Milk Production Update – Jan ’21
Executive Summary
U.S. milk production figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Dec ’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, finishing higher over 17 of the past 18 months through Dec ’20. The Dec ’20 YOY increase in U.S. milk production volumes was the second largest experienced throughout the past six months, trailing only the previous month growth rate, while the 12-month rolling average milk production growth rate reached a three year high level.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+11.9%), followed by Indiana (+9.8%) and Texas (+7.5%), while production volumes finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Florida (-5.0%), Vermont (-3.1%) and Washington (-0.9%). Wisconsin milk production volumes increased on a YOY basis for the fifth time in the past six months, finishing 2.6% above previous year levels. Wisconsin milk production had declined on a YOY basis over seven of eight months through Jun ’20. Overall, 18 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 12th consecutive month throughout Dec ’20, finishing up 3.2%. The YOY increase in California milk production volumes was the largest experienced throughout the past 27 months on a percentage basis. California accounted for 18.6% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Nine of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY increases in production throughout Dec ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states increased by a weighted average of 3.1% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Dec ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states also increased 3.1% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
Dec ’20 YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by California, followed by Texas and Wisconsin, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Florida.
The Nov ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 24,000 head higher than levels previous stated while the Dec ’20 figure increased an additional 12,000 head, reaching a 35 year high level. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.443 million head, finishing 100,000 head above the previous year.
U.S. milk per cow yields finished 2.0% above previous year levels, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 61st time in the past 62 months. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 2.3% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 1.0% YOY.
Month-over-month increases in the Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and South Dakota milk cow herds more than offset a decline in the Pennsylvania milk cow herd throughout Dec ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds continued to be led by Texas, followed by Indiana and South Dakota, while the California, Pennsylvania and Florida milk cow herds finished most significantly lower on a YOY basis throughout the month.
- U.S. milk production increased on a YOY basis for the 17th time in the past 18 months, finishing 3.1% above the previous year and reaching a record high seasonal level. The YOY increase in milk production volumes was the second largest experienced throughout the past six years, trailing only the previous month growth rate. YOY increases in production on an absolute basis were led by California, followed by Texas and Wisconsin.
- The Nov ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 24,000 head higher than levels previously stated while the Dec ’20 figure increased an additional 12,000 head, reaching a 35 year high level. Milk cow herd figures finished 100,000 head above the previous year.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased 2.0% on a YOY basis throughout Dec ’20, finishing higher for the 61st time in the past 62 months.
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, finishing higher over 17 of the past 18 months through Dec ’20. The Dec ’20 YOY increase in U.S. milk production volumes was the second largest experienced throughout the past six months, trailing only the previous month growth rate, while the 12-month rolling average milk production growth rate reached a three year high level.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+11.9%), followed by Indiana (+9.8%) and Texas (+7.5%), while production volumes finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Florida (-5.0%), Vermont (-3.1%) and Washington (-0.9%). Wisconsin milk production volumes increased on a YOY basis for the fifth time in the past six months, finishing 2.6% above previous year levels. Wisconsin milk production had declined on a YOY basis over seven of eight months through Jun ’20. Overall, 18 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 12th consecutive month throughout Dec ’20, finishing up 3.2%. The YOY increase in California milk production volumes was the largest experienced throughout the past 27 months on a percentage basis. California accounted for 18.6% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Nine of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY increases in production throughout Dec ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states increased by a weighted average of 3.1% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Dec ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states also increased 3.1% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
Dec ’20 YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by California, followed by Texas and Wisconsin, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Florida.
The Nov ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 24,000 head higher than levels previous stated while the Dec ’20 figure increased an additional 12,000 head, reaching a 35 year high level. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.443 million head, finishing 100,000 head above the previous year.
U.S. milk per cow yields finished 2.0% above previous year levels, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 61st time in the past 62 months. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 2.3% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 1.0% YOY.
Month-over-month increases in the Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa and South Dakota milk cow herds more than offset a decline in the Pennsylvania milk cow herd throughout Dec ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds continued to be led by Texas, followed by Indiana and South Dakota, while the California, Pennsylvania and Florida milk cow herds finished most significantly lower on a YOY basis throughout the month.