Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released September 19, 2022, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). August Milk Production up 1.7 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during August totaled 18.2 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent from August 2021. July revised production, at 18.4 billion pounds, was up 0.6 percent from July 2021. The July revision represented an increase of 53 million pounds or 0.3 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,041 pounds for August, 37 pounds above August 2021. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.93 million head, 11,000 head less than August 2021, but 8,000 head more than July 2022. August Milk Production in the United States up 1.6 Percent Milk production in the United States during August totaled 19.0 billion pounds, up 1.6 percent from August 2021. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,018 pounds for August, 34 pounds above August 2021. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.43 million head, 11,000 head less than August 2021, but 8,000 head more than July 2022. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2021-2022 [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 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,466 9,384 6,005 6,000 56,847 56,305 -1.0 April-June ......: 9,503 9,413 6,119 6,144 58,147 57,838 -0.5 July-September ..: 9,442 5,914 55,836 October-December : 9,381 5,909 55,428 : Annual ..........: 9,448 23,948 226,258 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2021-2022 [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 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,938 8,874 2,067 2,051 18,477 18,198 -1.5 February ......: 8,954 8,887 1,884 1,885 16,871 16,755 -0.7 March .........: 8,970 8,909 2,106 2,114 18,888 18,835 -0.3 April .........: 8,987 8,910 2,055 2,053 18,467 18,296 -0.9 May ...........: 8,996 8,922 2,106 2,116 18,949 18,878 -0.4 June ..........: 8,991 8,916 2,011 2,028 18,078 18,083 (Z) July ..........: 8,983 8,920 2,034 2,060 18,272 18,379 0.6 August ........: 8,939 8,928 2,004 2,041 17,910 18,218 1.7 September .....: 8,909 1,935 17,239 October .......: 8,892 2,003 17,812 November ......: 8,888 1,939 17,232 December ......: 8,880 2,024 17,971 : Annual ........: 8,944 24,169 216,166 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Z) Less than half of the unit shown. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2021-2022 [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 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,450 9,367 2,049 2,034 19,365 19,050 -1.6 February ......: 9,466 9,380 1,868 1,870 17,685 17,540 -0.8 March .........: 9,482 9,404 2,088 2,096 19,797 19,715 -0.4 April .........: 9,500 9,405 2,037 2,036 19,350 19,153 -1.0 May ...........: 9,507 9,419 2,088 2,097 19,855 19,755 -0.5 June ..........: 9,501 9,415 1,994 2,011 18,942 18,930 -0.1 July ..........: 9,483 9,419 2,014 2,038 19,097 19,193 0.5 August ........: 9,438 9,427 1,984 2,018 18,721 19,020 1.6 September .....: 9,405 1,916 18,018 October .......: 9,387 1,984 18,623 November ......: 9,382 1,920 18,015 December ......: 9,373 2,005 18,790 : Annual ........: 9,448 23,948 226,258 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: August 2021 and 2022 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 196 198 1,825 1,820 358 360 0.6 California ......: 1,719 1,723 1,970 2,005 3,386 3,455 2.0 Colorado ........: 200 206 2,220 2,220 444 457 2.9 Florida .........: 106 95 1,540 1,535 163 146 -10.4 Georgia .........: 82 93 1,730 1,750 142 163 14.8 Idaho ...........: 651 657 2,170 2,205 1,413 1,449 2.5 Illinois ........: 82 80 1,720 1,730 141 138 -2.1 Indiana .........: 192 186 1,940 1,950 372 363 -2.4 Iowa ............: 225 238 2,055 2,075 462 494 6.9 Kansas ..........: 170 174 1,985 1,995 337 347 3.0 : Michigan ........: 442 427 2,290 2,335 1,012 997 -1.5 Minnesota .......: 461 453 1,940 1,985 894 899 0.6 New Mexico ......: 311 287 1,955 2,050 608 588 -3.3 New York ........: 628 624 2,075 2,130 1,303 1,329 2.0 Ohio ............: 258 250 1,850 1,860 477 465 -2.5 Oregon ..........: 124 125 1,770 1,775 219 222 1.4 Pennsylvania ....: 475 468 1,750 1,785 831 835 0.5 South Dakota ....: 160 182 1,980 1,995 317 363 14.5 Texas ...........: 625 655 2,035 2,115 1,272 1,385 8.9 Utah ............: 95 94 1,990 1,990 189 187 -1.1 : Vermont .........: 120 117 1,780 1,830 214 214 - Virginia ........: 72 69 1,625 1,660 117 115 -1.7 Washington ......: 267 255 2,030 2,035 542 519 -4.2 Wisconsin .......: 1,278 1,272 2,110 2,145 2,697 2,728 1.1 : 24-State Total ..: 8,939 8,928 2,004 2,041 17,910 18,218 1.7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: July 2021 and 2022 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 198 198 1,905 1,895 377 375 -0.5 California ....: 1,719 1,723 2,000 2,045 3,438 3,524 2.5 Colorado ......: 203 206 2,225 2,220 452 457 1.1 Florida .......: 108 96 1,620 1,605 175 154 -12.0 Georgia .......: 82 93 1,780 1,800 146 167 14.4 Idaho .........: 654 657 2,190 2,225 1,432 1,462 2.1 Illinois ......: 83 80 1,770 1,780 147 142 -3.4 Indiana .......: 197 185 1,970 1,980 388 366 -5.7 Iowa ..........: 228 236 2,065 2,080 471 491 4.2 Kansas ........: 172 174 2,005 2,000 345 348 0.9 : Michigan ......: 445 427 2,320 2,335 1,032 997 -3.4 Minnesota .....: 462 452 1,945 1,990 899 899 - New Mexico ....: 321 287 2,000 2,065 642 593 -7.6 New York ......: 630 623 2,120 2,145 1,336 1,336 - Ohio ..........: 260 249 1,870 1,875 486 467 -3.9 Oregon ........: 125 125 1,800 1,805 225 226 0.4 Pennsylvania ..: 475 467 1,795 1,810 853 845 -0.9 South Dakota ..: 159 182 1,970 1,985 313 361 15.3 Texas .........: 625 650 2,085 2,125 1,303 1,381 6.0 Utah ..........: 97 94 2,000 1,995 194 188 -3.1 : Vermont .......: 120 117 1,825 1,835 219 215 -1.8 Virginia ......: 73 69 1,650 1,690 120 117 -2.5 Washington ....: 269 258 2,045 2,065 550 533 -3.1 Wisconsin .....: 1,278 1,272 2,135 2,150 2,729 2,735 0.2 : 24-State Total : 8,983 8,920 2,034 2,060 18,272 18,379 0.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 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 18.2 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 43 3 181 15 9 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.3 11 1 30 15 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Anthony Fischer - Hogs and Pigs .............. (202) 720-3106 Vacant - Sheep and Goats ..................... (202) 690-3236 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Suzanne Richards - Dairy Products ............ (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. 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