Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released September 20, 2024, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). August Milk Production up 0.1 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during August totaled 18.1 billion pounds, up 0.1 percent from August 2023. July revised production, at 18.2 billion pounds, was down 0.3 percent from July 2023. The July revision represented a decrease of 1 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,036 pounds for August, 8 pounds above August 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.88 million head, 28,000 head less than August 2023, but unchanged from July 2024. August Milk Production in the United States down 0.1 Percent Milk production in the United States during August totaled 18.8 billion pounds, down 0.1 percent from August 2023. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,018 pounds for August, 8 pounds above August 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.33 million head, 40,000 head less than August 2023, but unchanged from July 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 9,329 6,164 6,151 58,004 57,380 -1.1 July-September ..: 9,366 5,978 55,994 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 8,878 2,028 2,036 18,065 18,076 0.1 September .....: 8,907 1,958 17,444 October .......: 8,900 2,009 17,880 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 9,335 2,040 2,046 19,204 19,098 -0.6 May ...........: 9,418 9,333 2,108 2,106 19,852 19,652 -1.0 June ..........: 9,397 9,320 2,016 1,999 18,948 18,630 -1.7 July ..........: 9,368 9,325 2,027 2,028 18,985 18,915 -0.4 August ........: 9,365 9,325 2,010 2,018 18,828 18,815 -0.1 September .....: 9,366 1,941 18,181 October .......: 9,355 1,993 18,645 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: August 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 .........: 201 189 1,850 1,840 372 348 -6.5 California ......: 1,713 1,708 1,930 1,975 3,306 3,373 2.0 Colorado ........: 198 200 2,200 2,180 436 436 - Florida .........: 99 99 1,605 1,620 159 160 0.6 Georgia .........: 90 85 1,735 1,830 156 156 - Idaho ...........: 666 667 2,175 2,180 1,449 1,454 0.3 Illinois ........: 79 77 1,720 1,700 136 131 -3.7 Indiana .........: 190 189 1,970 1,985 374 375 0.3 Iowa ............: 240 241 2,065 2,060 496 496 - Kansas ..........: 169 178 1,970 1,995 333 355 6.6 : Michigan ........: 439 436 2,335 2,345 1,025 1,022 -0.3 Minnesota .......: 450 442 1,970 1,950 887 862 -2.8 New Mexico ......: 270 239 2,005 2,010 541 480 -11.3 New York ........: 630 630 2,195 2,170 1,383 1,367 -1.2 Ohio ............: 253 252 1,890 1,910 478 481 0.6 Oregon ..........: 120 118 1,775 1,780 213 210 -1.4 Pennsylvania ....: 466 465 1,755 1,725 818 802 -2.0 South Dakota ....: 197 213 1,975 1,980 389 422 8.5 Texas ...........: 635 655 2,110 2,205 1,340 1,444 7.8 Utah ............: 90 90 1,980 1,985 178 179 0.6 : Vermont .........: 117 113 1,845 1,815 216 205 -5.1 Virginia ........: 68 66 1,730 1,715 118 113 -4.2 Washington ......: 257 260 2,050 2,055 527 534 1.3 Wisconsin .......: 1,269 1,266 2,155 2,110 2,735 2,671 -2.3 : 24-State Total ..: 8,906 8,878 2,028 2,036 18,065 18,076 0.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 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 .......: 198 189 1,910 1,915 378 362 -4.2 California ....: 1,714 1,708 1,940 1,940 3,325 3,314 -0.3 Colorado ......: 200 200 2,205 2,155 441 431 -2.3 Florida .......: 98 99 1,690 1,680 166 166 - Georgia .......: 90 85 1,780 1,845 160 157 -1.9 Idaho .........: 666 667 2,195 2,200 1,462 1,467 0.3 Illinois ......: 79 78 1,810 1,800 143 140 -2.1 Indiana .......: 190 189 2,005 2,015 381 381 - Iowa ..........: 242 241 2,100 2,085 508 502 -1.2 Kansas ........: 169 177 1,985 2,000 335 354 5.7 : Michigan ......: 439 436 2,360 2,355 1,036 1,027 -0.9 Minnesota .....: 451 442 2,000 1,980 902 875 -3.0 New Mexico ....: 270 239 1,995 2,055 539 491 -8.9 New York ......: 630 630 2,200 2,180 1,386 1,373 -0.9 Ohio ..........: 253 252 1,900 1,920 481 484 0.6 Oregon ........: 120 117 1,800 1,805 216 211 -2.3 Pennsylvania ..: 466 465 1,755 1,755 818 816 -0.2 South Dakota ..: 197 213 1,985 1,980 391 422 7.9 Texas .........: 635 653 2,110 2,175 1,340 1,420 6.0 Utah ..........: 91 90 2,000 2,010 182 181 -0.5 : Vermont .......: 117 114 1,840 1,820 215 207 -3.7 Virginia ......: 68 66 1,740 1,730 118 114 -3.4 Washington ....: 257 260 2,050 2,040 527 530 0.6 Wisconsin .....: 1,269 1,268 2,180 2,165 2,766 2,745 -0.8 : 24-State Total : 8,909 8,878 2,045 2,047 18,216 18,170 -0.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 18.1 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 39 1 137 7 17 : All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.1 6 0 13 4 16 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.. (512) 501-3266 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. 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