U.S. milk production rose about 0.2% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary October Milk Production report, released Nov. 20.

October 2023-24 dairy recap at a glance

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

• U.S. milk production: 18.69 billion pounds, up 0.2%
• U.S. cow numbers: 9.365 million, up 10,000 head
• U.S. average milk per cow: 1,996 pounds, up 3 pounds
• 24-state milk production: 17.955 billion pounds, up 0.4%
• 24-state cow numbers: 8.921 million, up 21,000 head
• 24-state average milk per cow: 2,013 pounds, up 4 pounds

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

Cow numbers higher

October 2024 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.365 million head, up 10,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where October 2024 cow numbers were estimated at 8.921 million, also up 21,000 head from October 2023 (Table 1).

Compared to a year earlier, eight states had more cows than October one year ago; 14 states had fewer cows. Texas and South Dakota led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 57,000 head in October. That was offset by a combined 35,000-head reduction in New Mexico, Minnesota and Arizona.

Milk output per cow higher

The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in October 2024 and was up 3 pounds from October 2023. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 4 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, New Mexico and Texas showed per-cow output increased 50 to 145 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California, Washington and Florida declined by 10 to 70 pounds.

Milk production higher

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

Thirteen states boosted production a combined 258 million pounds; 11 states reduced production a combined 183 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 121 million pounds), Idaho (up 39 million pounds) and South Dakota (up 37 million pounds).

The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 127 million pounds), New Mexico (down 23 million pounds) and Arizona (down 14 million pounds).

South Dakota was the milk percentage growth leader for October 2024, up 9.56% from October 2023 with Texas following at 8.76%. October 2024 production was down 4.42% from a year earlier in New Mexico, 3.84% in California and 3.55% in Arizona.

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