Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released November 21, 2022, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). October Milk Production up 1.4 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during October totaled 18.1 billion pounds, up 1.4 percent from October 2021. September revised production, at 17.5 billion pounds, was up 1.5 percent from September 2021. The September revision represented an decrease of 13 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,021 pounds for October, 18 pounds above October 2021. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.93 million head, 42,000 head more than October 2021, and 1,000 head more than September 2022. October Milk Production in the United States up 1.2 Percent Milk production in the United States during October totaled 18.9 billion pounds, up 1.2 percent from October 2021. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,001 pounds for October, 17 pounds above October 2021. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.42 million head, 31,000 head more than October 2021, and 1,000 head more than September 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 6,145 58,147 57,845 -0.5 July-September ..: 9,442 9,415 5,914 6,001 55,836 56,499 1.2 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 8,930 2,004 2,042 17,910 18,231 1.8 September .....: 8,909 8,933 1,935 1,959 17,239 17,497 1.5 October .......: 8,892 8,934 2,003 2,021 17,812 18,055 1.4 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 2,037 19,350 19,155 -1.0 May ...........: 9,507 9,419 2,088 2,098 19,855 19,763 -0.5 June ..........: 9,501 9,415 1,994 2,010 18,942 18,927 -0.1 July ..........: 9,483 9,414 2,014 2,039 19,097 19,195 0.5 August ........: 9,438 9,413 1,984 2,022 18,721 19,035 1.7 September .....: 9,405 9,417 1,916 1,940 18,018 18,269 1.4 October .......: 9,387 9,418 1,984 2,001 18,623 18,850 1.2 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: October 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 .........: 194 198 1,960 1,950 380 386 1.6 California ......: 1,719 1,723 2,005 1,990 3,447 3,429 -0.5 Colorado ........: 200 206 2,180 2,175 436 448 2.8 Florida .........: 105 93 1,550 1,525 163 142 -12.9 Georgia .........: 82 92 1,780 1,800 146 166 13.7 Idaho ...........: 650 660 2,090 2,125 1,359 1,403 3.2 Illinois ........: 81 80 1,735 1,765 141 141 - Indiana .........: 186 186 1,985 1,980 369 368 -0.3 Iowa ............: 225 239 2,050 2,075 461 496 7.6 Kansas ..........: 169 175 1,990 2,005 336 351 4.5 : Michigan ........: 435 428 2,255 2,300 981 984 0.3 Minnesota .......: 461 453 1,910 1,945 881 881 - New Mexico ......: 298 284 2,020 2,030 602 577 -4.2 New York ........: 628 625 2,050 2,095 1,287 1,309 1.7 Ohio ............: 251 250 1,820 1,830 457 458 0.2 Oregon ..........: 125 125 1,760 1,760 220 220 - Pennsylvania ....: 470 468 1,740 1,765 818 826 1.0 South Dakota ....: 162 186 1,975 1,965 320 365 14.1 Texas ...........: 625 655 2,105 2,150 1,316 1,408 7.0 Utah ............: 94 94 1,930 1,930 181 181 - : Vermont .........: 120 117 1,760 1,810 211 212 0.5 Virginia ........: 71 69 1,670 1,670 119 115 -3.4 Washington ......: 263 257 2,010 2,025 529 520 -1.7 Wisconsin .......: 1,278 1,271 2,075 2,100 2,652 2,669 0.6 : 24-State Total ..: 8,892 8,934 2,003 2,021 17,812 18,055 1.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: September 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 .......: 194 198 1,790 1,800 347 356 2.6 California ....: 1,719 1,723 1,905 1,900 3,275 3,274 (Z) Colorado ......: 199 206 2,135 2,130 425 439 3.3 Florida .......: 105 93 1,475 1,430 155 133 -14.2 Georgia .......: 82 92 1,670 1,695 137 156 13.9 Idaho .........: 651 660 2,070 2,105 1,348 1,389 3.0 Illinois ......: 82 80 1,650 1,665 135 133 -1.5 Indiana .......: 189 186 1,900 1,900 359 353 -1.7 Iowa ..........: 225 238 1,995 2,000 449 476 6.0 Kansas ........: 170 175 1,915 1,955 326 342 4.9 : Michigan ......: 438 428 2,195 2,235 961 957 -0.4 Minnesota .....: 461 453 1,870 1,895 862 858 -0.5 New Mexico ....: 300 284 1,930 1,970 579 559 -3.5 New York ......: 628 625 2,000 2,055 1,256 1,284 2.2 Ohio ..........: 254 250 1,760 1,770 447 443 -0.9 Oregon ........: 125 125 1,710 1,710 214 214 - Pennsylvania ..: 473 468 1,690 1,705 799 798 -0.1 South Dakota ..: 161 186 1,920 1,910 309 355 14.9 Texas .........: 625 655 1,985 2,055 1,241 1,346 8.5 Utah ..........: 94 94 1,905 1,905 179 179 - : Vermont .......: 120 117 1,725 1,770 207 207 - Virginia ......: 72 69 1,590 1,615 114 111 -2.6 Washington ....: 264 257 1,975 2,010 521 517 -0.8 Wisconsin .....: 1,278 1,271 2,030 2,060 2,594 2,618 0.9 : 24-State Total : 8,909 8,933 1,935 1,959 17,239 17,497 1.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 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 18.1 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 42 3 181 14 10 : All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.2 9 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 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows ...................................... (202) 720-3278 Suzanne Richards - Dairy Products (202) 720-4448 Vacant - Sheep and Goats .. (202) 690-3236 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. 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