- U.S. milk production increased on a YOY basis for the 12th time in the past 13 months, finishing 1.5% above the previous year and reaching a record high seasonal level.
- The Jul ’20 U.S. milk cow herd rebounded 2,000 head from the six month low level experienced throughout the previous month. Milk cow herd figures finished 37,000 head above the previous year but remained 86,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased 1.1% on a YOY basis throughout Jul ’20, despite Western U.S. yields finishing lower YOY for the second time in the past three months.
Additional Report Details According to the USDA, Jul ’20 U.S. milk production declined 1.8% on a daily average basis but remained 1.5% higher on a YOY basis, reaching a record high seasonal level. The month-over-month decline in production volumes was smaller than the ten year average June – July seasonal decline in production of 2.9%. The smaller than normal seasonal decline in milk production volumes occurred despite previous month production volumes being revised 0.3% above levels previously stated. 
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 Jul ’19 – Jul ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, finishing higher over 12 of the past 13 months through Jul ’20. The 12-month rolling average milk production growth rate reached a two year high throughout Jul ’20. 
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+11.5%), followed by Indiana (+6.0%) and Colorado (+5.8%), while production volumes finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Florida (-5.7%), New Mexico (-5.3%) and Vermont (-5.3%). 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 seventh consecutive month throughout Jul ’20, finishing up 0.5%. California accounted for 18.3% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states. 
Eight of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY increases in production throughout Jul ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states increased by a weighted average of 1.2% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Jul ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 2.3% on a YOY basis throughout the month. 
Jul ’20 YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by Texas, followed by Pennsylvania and Idaho, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout New Mexico. 
The Jul ’20 U.S. milk cow herd rebounded 2,000 head from the six month low level experienced throughout the previous month. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.352 million head, finishing 37,000 head above the previous year but remaining 86,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18. 
U.S. milk per cow yields finished 1.1% above previous year levels, rebounding to a four month high growth rate. The YOY increase in milk per cow yields was the 56th experienced throughout the past 57 months. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 2.4% higher on a YOY basis however yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon declined 0.2% YOY, finishing lower for the second time in the past three months. 
Month-over-month increases in milk cow herds experienced throughout Indiana, Michigan, Washington, Ohio and Utah more than offset MOM declines in the New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Florida milk cow herds during Jul ’20. 
YOY increases in milk cow herds continued to be led by Texas, followed by Idaho and South Dakota, while Wisconsin experienced the largest YOY decline in their milk cow herds throughout the month. 
