Highlights from the updated report include:
- U.S. milk production increased on a YOY basis for the 13th time in the past 14 months, finishing 1.8% above the previous year and reaching a record high seasonal level. YOY increases in production on an absolute basis were led by Texas, followed by California and Idaho.
- The Jul ’20 U.S. milk cow herd was revised 8,000 head higher than levels previously stated while the Aug ’20 figure remained unchanged month-over-month. Milk cow herd figures finished 42,000 head above the previous year but remained 78,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased 1.4% on a YOY basis throughout Aug ’20, finishing higher for the 57th time in the past 58 months.
Additional Report Details According to the USDA, Aug ’20 U.S. milk production declined 0.7% on a daily average basis but remained 1.8% higher YOY, reaching a record high seasonal level. The month-over-month decline in production volumes was slightly smaller than the ten year average July – August seasonal decline in production of 1.0%. The smaller than normal seasonal decline in milk production volumes occurred despite previous month production volumes being revised 0.5% 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 Aug ’19 – Aug ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, finishing higher over 13 of the past 14 months through Aug ’20. The 12-month rolling average milk production growth rate reached a 28 month high level throughout Aug ’20. 
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+10.8%), followed by Texas (+7.1%), Kansas (+6.6%) and Indiana (+6.6%), while production volumes finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Vermont (-5.3%), Florida (-3.9%) and Utah (-2.1%). Wisconsin milk production remained lower on a YOY basis for the eighth time in the past ten months, finishing 0.3% below previous year levels. Overall, 16 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 eighth consecutive month throughout Aug ’20, finishing up 1.8%. California accounted for 18.2% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states. 
Seven of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY increases in production throughout Aug ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states increased by a weighted average of 1.7% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Aug ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 2.3% on a YOY basis throughout the month. 
Aug ’20 YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis continue to be led by Texas, followed by California and Idaho, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Vermont. 
The Jul ’20 U.S. milk cow herd was revised 8,000 head higher than levels previous stated while the Aug ’20 figure remained unchanged month-over-month. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.36 million head, finishing 42,000 head above the previous year but remaining 78,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18. 
U.S. milk per cow yields finished 1.4% above previous year levels, finishing higher on a YOY basis for the 57th time in the past 58 months. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 1.8% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 0.8% YOY. 
A month-over-month increase in the Indiana milk cow herd offset a MOM decline in the Georgia milk cow herd throughout Aug ’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. 
