Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released November 20, 2024, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). October Milk Production up 0.4 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during October totaled 18.0 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent from October 2023. September revised production, at 17.5 billion pounds, was up 0.5 percent from September 2023. The September revision represented an increase of 52 million pounds or 0.3 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,013 pounds for October, 4 pounds above October 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.92 million head, 21,000 head more than October 2023, and 16,000 head more than September 2024. October Milk Production in the United States up 0.2 Percent Milk production in the United States during October totaled 18.7 billion pounds, up 0.2 percent from October 2023. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,996 pounds for October, 3 pounds above October 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.37 million head, 10,000 head more than October 2023, and 19,000 head more than September 2024. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2023-2024 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :--------------------------------------------------------------------- Quarter : : : : : : : Change : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,418 9,337 6,035 6,100 56,837 56,959 0.2 April-June ......: 9,410 9,328 6,164 6,150 58,004 57,368 -1.1 July-September ..: 9,366 9,331 5,978 6,008 55,994 56,061 0.1 October-December : 9,349 5,940 55,529 : Annual ..........: 9,386 24,117 226,364 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2023-2024 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,922 8,870 2,071 2,062 18,474 18,294 -1.0 February ......: 8,939 8,888 1,897 1,962 16,953 17,439 2.9 March .........: 8,952 8,892 2,118 2,122 18,956 18,865 -0.5 April .........: 8,941 8,888 2,056 2,061 18,386 18,314 -0.4 May ...........: 8,945 8,886 2,125 2,121 19,006 18,845 -0.8 June ..........: 8,925 8,875 2,033 2,013 18,141 17,863 -1.5 July ..........: 8,909 8,878 2,045 2,047 18,216 18,170 -0.3 August ........: 8,906 8,887 2,028 2,044 18,065 18,161 0.5 September .....: 8,907 8,905 1,958 1,968 17,444 17,527 0.5 October .......: 8,900 8,921 2,009 2,013 17,880 17,955 0.4 November ......: 8,891 1,947 17,311 December ......: 8,894 2,031 18,061 : Annual ........: 8,919 24,318 216,893 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2023-2024 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,401 9,323 2,054 2,047 19,308 19,083 -1.2 February ......: 9,419 9,343 1,881 1,947 17,718 18,195 2.7 March .........: 9,433 9,346 2,100 2,106 19,811 19,681 -0.7 April .........: 9,414 9,333 2,040 2,046 19,204 19,095 -0.6 May ...........: 9,418 9,331 2,108 2,106 19,852 19,648 -1.0 June ..........: 9,397 9,320 2,016 1,998 18,948 18,625 -1.7 July ..........: 9,368 9,319 2,027 2,029 18,985 18,911 -0.4 August ........: 9,365 9,328 2,010 2,027 18,828 18,904 0.4 September .....: 9,366 9,346 1,941 1,952 18,181 18,246 0.4 October .......: 9,355 9,365 1,993 1,996 18,645 18,690 0.2 November ......: 9,345 1,932 18,051 December ......: 9,348 2,015 18,833 : Annual ........: 9,386 24,117 226,364 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: October 2023 and 2024 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 201 193 1,960 1,970 394 380 -3.6 California ......: 1,711 1,707 1,935 1,865 3,311 3,184 -3.8 Colorado ........: 198 202 2,175 2,180 431 440 2.1 Florida .........: 100 100 1,580 1,570 158 157 -0.6 Georgia .........: 90 85 1,775 1,920 160 163 1.9 Idaho ...........: 663 672 2,080 2,110 1,379 1,418 2.8 Illinois ........: 79 77 1,745 1,740 138 134 -2.9 Indiana .........: 191 189 1,965 1,990 375 376 0.3 Iowa ............: 239 243 2,060 2,090 492 508 3.3 Kansas ..........: 175 183 2,015 2,010 353 368 4.2 : Michigan ........: 439 438 2,290 2,305 1,005 1,010 0.5 Minnesota .......: 451 442 1,935 1,965 873 869 -0.5 New Mexico ......: 260 242 2,000 2,055 520 497 -4.4 New York ........: 630 630 2,130 2,135 1,342 1,345 0.2 Ohio ............: 255 251 1,845 1,870 470 469 -0.2 Oregon ..........: 119 118 1,745 1,745 208 206 -1.0 Pennsylvania ....: 466 465 1,710 1,725 797 802 0.6 South Dakota ....: 198 215 1,955 1,970 387 424 9.6 Texas ...........: 635 675 2,175 2,225 1,381 1,502 8.8 Utah ............: 88 90 1,940 1,935 171 174 1.8 : Vermont .........: 116 113 1,805 1,840 209 208 -0.5 Virginia ........: 69 66 1,700 1,705 117 113 -3.4 Washington ......: 257 259 2,010 2,000 517 518 0.2 Wisconsin .......: 1,270 1,266 2,120 2,125 2,692 2,690 -0.1 : 24-State Total ..: 8,900 8,921 2,009 2,013 17,880 17,955 0.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: September 2023 and 2024 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 201 193 1,835 1,840 369 355 -3.8 California ....: 1,712 1,708 1,875 1,880 3,210 3,211 (Z) Colorado ......: 198 202 2,125 2,140 421 432 2.6 Florida .......: 100 100 1,510 1,490 151 149 -1.3 Georgia .......: 90 85 1,680 1,800 151 153 1.3 Idaho .........: 665 672 2,065 2,105 1,373 1,415 3.1 Illinois ......: 79 77 1,705 1,700 135 131 -3.0 Indiana .......: 191 189 1,910 1,930 365 365 - Iowa ..........: 240 241 2,010 2,015 482 486 0.8 Kansas ........: 172 182 1,955 1,950 336 355 5.7 : Michigan ......: 439 436 2,240 2,235 983 974 -0.9 Minnesota .....: 451 442 1,905 1,915 859 846 -1.5 New Mexico ....: 265 240 1,960 1,970 519 473 -8.9 New York ......: 630 630 2,070 2,080 1,304 1,310 0.5 Ohio ..........: 255 251 1,795 1,820 458 457 -0.2 Oregon ........: 120 118 1,715 1,710 206 202 -1.9 Pennsylvania ..: 466 465 1,670 1,675 778 779 0.1 South Dakota ..: 198 215 1,925 1,935 381 416 9.2 Texas .........: 635 665 2,095 2,100 1,330 1,397 5.0 Utah ..........: 88 90 1,910 1,915 168 172 2.4 : Vermont .......: 116 113 1,750 1,750 203 198 -2.5 Virginia ......: 69 66 1,650 1,645 114 109 -4.4 Washington ....: 257 259 1,995 1,990 513 515 0.4 Wisconsin .....: 1,270 1,266 2,075 2,075 2,635 2,627 -0.3 : 24-State Total : 8,907 8,905 1,958 1,968 17,444 17,527 0.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (Z) Less than half of the unit shown. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Primary data used to determine these estimates were obtained from a sample of producers. Individual States maintain a list of all known milk producers and information on the size of their herd. States use all known sources of producers to ensure that their lists are as complete as possible. Generally, all large producers and a sample of small producers are included in the survey. Questionnaires are mailed to producers near the end of the month to obtain data for the first day of the month. Additional reports are obtained by telephone, as needed, to supplement the mail response. Where feasible, States utilize state and federal administrative data to estimate milk production. This eliminates duplication of data gathering by different government agencies such as Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Market News. Indications of milk cow inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Survey. Estimation Procedures: Regional Field Offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications, historic trends, and any available administrative data. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness. Revision Policy: Milk production, milk per cow, and number of milk cows are subject to revision the following month after initial publication for monthly States or the following quarter for the quarterly States. Normally, administrative data from Federal Market Orders, State Departments of Agriculture, or other sources are the main basis for revisions. However, administrative data for all States may not be available in time for these revisions. Estimates are again subject to revisions in February each year based on additional administrative data. In the event that additional changes are necessary, a third revision is possible in February the following year. Estimates are again reviewed after data from the five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions are made after that date. Reliability: Since all operations with dairy animals are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the table below. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for the 24 State milk production estimates over the past 24 months is 0.3 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 18.0 billion pounds by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.5 percent. Reliability of Monthly Milk Production Estimates [Based on data for the past 24 months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent -------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ---- : : Milk production ..............: 0.3 0.5 41 1 137 9 15 : All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.2 6 0 18 6 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@usda.gov. Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ...... (202) 692-0069 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........ (202) 690-2424 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ... (202) 690-8632 Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ....... (202) 720-3040 Kim DaPra - Milk Production and Milk Cows.. (202) 720-3278 Donnie Fike - Dairy Products .............. (202) 690-3347 Ralph Mondesir - Hogs and Pigs ............ (202) 720-3106 Suzanne Richards - Sheep and Goats ........ (202) 720-4448 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on "National" or "State" in upper right corner above "search" box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive. Cornell's Mann Library has launched a new website housing NASS's and other agency's archived reports. The new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. All email subscriptions containing reports will be sent from the new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. To continue receiving the reports via e-mail, you will have to go to the new website, create a new account and re-subscribe to the reports. If you need instructions to set up an account or subscribe, they are located at: https://usda.library.cornell.edu/help. You should whitelist notifications@usda-esmis.library.cornell.edu in your email client to avoid the emails going into spam/junk folders. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.