U.S. milk production fell about 0.1% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary August Milk Production report, released Sept. 20.

August 2023-24 dairy recap at a glance

Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for August 2024 compared to August 2023:

• U.S. milk production: 18.815 billion pounds, down 0.1%
• U.S. cow numbers: 9.325 million, down 40,000 head
• U.S. average milk per cow: 2,018 pounds, up 8 pounds
• 24-state milk production: 18.076 billion pounds, up 0.1%
• 24-state cow numbers: 8.878 million, down 28,000 head
• 24-state average milk per cow: 2,036 pounds, up 8 pounds

Source: USDA Milk Production report, Sept. 20, 2024

Cow numbers lower

August 2024 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.325 million head, down 40,000 from a year earlier. However, preliminary estimates indicate the herd has continued to ebb and flow, unchanged from July and is similar to January’s total.

The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where August 2024 cow numbers were estimated at 8.878 million, also unchanged from July 2023 (Table 1).

Compared to a year earlier, seven states had more cows than August one year ago; 14 states had fewer cows. Texas and South Dakota led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 36,000 head in August. That was offset by a 31,000-head reduction in New Mexico alone.

Milk output per cow higher

The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in August 2024 and was up 8 pounds from August 2023. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 8 pounds from the same month a year earlier.

Affected by regional weather factors, variations in feed costs and income margins, the difference in output per cow among those states was wide (Table 2).

Georgia, Texas, California and Kansas showed per-cow output increased 25-95 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in Wisconsin, Vermont, Pennsylvania and New York declined by 25-45 pounds.

Milk production

The preliminary estimate of overall August 2024 milk production was lower than the same month a year earlier.

Ten states boosted production a combined 244 million pounds; 17 states reduced production a combined 233 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 104 million pounds), California (up 67 million pounds) and South Dakota (up 33 million pounds).

The states posting largest volume declines were Wisconsin (down 64 million pounds), New Mexico (down 61 million pounds), Minnesota (down 25 million pounds) and Arizona (down 24 million pounds).

South Dakota was the milk percentage growth leader for August 2024, up 8.48% from August 2023 with Texas following at 7.76%. August 2024 production was down 11.28% from a year earlier in New Mexico, 6.45% in Arizona and 5.09% in Vermont.

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