Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released December 19, 2024, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). November Milk Production down 0.8 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during November totaled 17.2 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from November 2023. October revised production, at 18.0 billion pounds, was up 0.6 percent from October 2023. The October revision represented an increase of 32 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 1,925 pounds for November, 22 pounds below November 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.92 million head, 32,000 head more than November 2023, but 2,000 head less than October 2024. November Milk Production in the United States down 1.0 Percent Milk production in the United States during November totaled 17.9 billion pounds, down 1.0 percent from November 2023. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,909 pounds for November, 23 pounds below November 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.37 million head, 20,000 head more than November 2023, but 5,000 head less than October 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 8,925 2,009 2,015 17,880 17,987 0.6 November ......: 8,891 8,923 1,947 1,925 17,311 17,176 -0.8 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 9,370 1,993 1,998 18,645 18,725 0.4 November ......: 9,345 9,365 1,932 1,909 18,051 17,875 -1.0 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: November 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 .........: 199 191 1,960 1,960 390 374 -4.1 California ......: 1,710 1,709 1,905 1,730 3,258 2,957 -9.2 Colorado ........: 197 206 2,105 2,110 415 435 4.8 Florida .........: 98 98 1,630 1,595 160 156 -2.5 Georgia .........: 90 85 1,745 1,880 157 160 1.9 Idaho ...........: 663 674 1,995 2,005 1,323 1,351 2.1 Illinois ........: 79 77 1,720 1,740 136 134 -1.5 Indiana .........: 190 190 1,915 1,930 364 367 0.8 Iowa ............: 239 245 1,990 2,010 476 492 3.4 Kansas ..........: 176 181 1,945 1,940 342 351 2.6 : Michigan ........: 439 439 2,210 2,220 970 975 0.5 Minnesota .......: 449 442 1,855 1,885 833 833 - New Mexico ......: 255 240 1,950 1,960 497 470 -5.4 New York ........: 630 630 2,040 2,065 1,285 1,301 1.2 Ohio ............: 255 251 1,800 1,830 459 459 - Oregon ..........: 120 117 1,675 1,690 201 198 -1.5 Pennsylvania ....: 466 465 1,680 1,700 783 791 1.0 South Dakota ....: 202 215 1,860 1,875 376 403 7.2 Texas ...........: 635 675 2,090 2,110 1,327 1,424 7.3 Utah ............: 88 90 1,875 1,870 165 168 1.8 : Vermont .........: 116 113 1,735 1,760 201 199 -1.0 Virginia ........: 68 66 1,670 1,690 114 112 -1.8 Washington ......: 257 258 1,925 1,900 495 490 -1.0 Wisconsin .......: 1,270 1,266 2,035 2,035 2,584 2,576 -0.3 : 24-State Total ..: 8,891 8,923 1,947 1,925 17,311 17,176 -0.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 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 .......: 201 191 1,960 1,955 394 373 -5.3 California ....: 1,711 1,709 1,935 1,870 3,311 3,196 -3.5 Colorado ......: 198 206 2,175 2,185 431 450 4.4 Florida .......: 100 99 1,580 1,560 158 154 -2.5 Georgia .......: 90 85 1,775 1,930 160 164 2.5 Idaho .........: 663 674 2,080 2,110 1,379 1,422 3.1 Illinois ......: 79 77 1,745 1,780 138 137 -0.7 Indiana .......: 191 189 1,965 1,990 375 376 0.3 Iowa ..........: 239 243 2,060 2,090 492 508 3.3 Kansas ........: 175 181 2,015 2,005 353 363 2.8 : Michigan ......: 439 439 2,290 2,330 1,005 1,023 1.8 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 2,130 1,342 1,342 - Ohio ..........: 255 251 1,845 1,880 470 472 0.4 Oregon ........: 119 118 1,745 1,760 208 208 - Pennsylvania ..: 466 465 1,710 1,725 797 802 0.6 South Dakota ..: 198 215 1,955 1,950 387 419 8.3 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 2,130 2,692 2,697 0.2 : 24-State Total : 8,900 8,925 2,009 2,015 17,880 17,987 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 17.2 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 41 1 137 10 14 : All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.2 6 0 18 7 13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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