U.S. Milk Production Update – May ’20
Executive Summary
U.S. milk production figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Apr ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
U.S. milk production volumes had finished higher on a YOY basis over 61 consecutive months from Jan ’14 – Jan ‘19, reaching the longest period of consecutive growth on record, prior to declining by a total of 0.3% from Apr ’19 – Jun ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, finishing higher over ten consecutive months through Apr ’20.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by Colorado (+7.1%), followed by South Dakota (+6.6%) and Idaho (+6.3%). Production finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Vermont (-1.8%) and Georgia (-1.3%). Overall, 19 of the 24 states milk production figures are provided for experienced YOY increases in production throughout the month.
California milk production volumes increased on a YOY basis for the fourth consecutive month during Apr ’20, finishing up 0.3%. California accounted for 18.7% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Nine of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY gains in production throughout Apr ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states finished higher by a weighted average of 1.5% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Apr ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 1.3% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by Idaho, followed by Texas and Colorado, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Vermont.
The Mar ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 5,000 head higher than previously stated however the Apr ’20 herd declined 4,000 head from the March revised figure. Despite declining from the previous month, the Apr ’20 milk cow herd figure remained at the second largest experienced throughout the past 20 months. The U.S. milk cow herd had reached a three year low level during Jul ’19 prior to rebounding by a total of 66,000 head throughout the past nine months. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.381 million head, up 49,000 head from the previous year but remaining 57,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The U.S. milk per cow yield increased on a YOY basis for the 54th consecutive month throughout Apr ’20, finishing 0.9% above the previous year. The YOY increase in milk per cow yields was the smallest experienced throughout the past eight months, however. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 1.6% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 0.5% YOY.
Month-over-month declines in milk cow herds experienced throughout New Mexico, California and Florida during Apr ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Idaho, followed by Texas, while Pennsylvania and Wisconsin experienced the largest YOY declines in their milk cow herds throughout the month.
- U.S. milk production increased 1.4% on a YOY basis throughout Apr ’20, reaching a record high seasonal level. The YOY increase in milk production was the tenth experienced in a row.
- The Apr ’20 U.S. milk cow herd declined slightly from the previous month’s revised figure but remained at the second highest level experienced throughout the past 20 months. Milk cow herd figures have increased by a total of 66,000 head throughout the past nine months, rebounding from the three year low level experienced throughout Jul ’19.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased on a YOY basis for the 54th consecutive month throughout Apr ’20, finishing 0.9% above the previous year. The YOY increase in milk per cow yields was the smallest experienced throughout the past eight months, however.
U.S. milk production volumes had finished higher on a YOY basis over 61 consecutive months from Jan ’14 – Jan ‘19, reaching the longest period of consecutive growth on record, prior to declining by a total of 0.3% from Apr ’19 – Jun ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, finishing higher over ten consecutive months through Apr ’20.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by Colorado (+7.1%), followed by South Dakota (+6.6%) and Idaho (+6.3%). Production finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within Vermont (-1.8%) and Georgia (-1.3%). Overall, 19 of the 24 states milk production figures are provided for experienced YOY increases in production throughout the month.
California milk production volumes increased on a YOY basis for the fourth consecutive month during Apr ’20, finishing up 0.3%. California accounted for 18.7% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Nine of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY gains in production throughout Apr ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states finished higher by a weighted average of 1.5% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Apr ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 1.3% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by Idaho, followed by Texas and Colorado, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout Vermont.
The Mar ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 5,000 head higher than previously stated however the Apr ’20 herd declined 4,000 head from the March revised figure. Despite declining from the previous month, the Apr ’20 milk cow herd figure remained at the second largest experienced throughout the past 20 months. The U.S. milk cow herd had reached a three year low level during Jul ’19 prior to rebounding by a total of 66,000 head throughout the past nine months. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.381 million head, up 49,000 head from the previous year but remaining 57,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
The U.S. milk per cow yield increased on a YOY basis for the 54th consecutive month throughout Apr ’20, finishing 0.9% above the previous year. The YOY increase in milk per cow yields was the smallest experienced throughout the past eight months, however. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 1.6% higher on a YOY basis while yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon increased 0.5% YOY.
Month-over-month declines in milk cow herds experienced throughout New Mexico, California and Florida during Apr ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Idaho, followed by Texas, while Pennsylvania and Wisconsin experienced the largest YOY declines in their milk cow herds throughout the month.