U.S. Milk Production Update – Jul ’20
Executive Summary
U.S. milk production figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Jun ’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 Jun ’19 – Jun ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, finishing higher over 11 of the past 12 months through Jun ’20.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+9.5%), followed by Colorado (+5.5%) and Texas (+4.4%), while production volumes finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within New Mexico (-6.2%) and Florida (-6.0%). Overall, 12 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 sixth consecutive month throughout Jun ’20, finishing up 1.0%. California accounted for 18.1% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Five of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY increases in production throughout Jun ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states increased by a weighted average of 0.3% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Jun ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 0.8% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
Jun ’20 YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by Texas, followed by Idaho and California, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout New Mexico, followed by Wisconsin.
The May ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 10,000 head below levels previously stated while the Jun ’20 herd declined an additional 10,000 head from the May revised figure, reaching a six month low level, overall. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.35 million head, remaining up 23,000 head from the previous year but finishing 88,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
U.S. milk per cow yields rebounded from the previous month, finishing 0.2% above previous year levels. Milk per cow yields declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past 55 months throughout May ’20, finishing 0.8% lower YOY. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 0.5% higher on a YOY basis however yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon declined 0.1% YOY, finishing lower for the second consecutive month.
Month-over-month declines in milk cow herds experienced throughout Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, New Mexico, Washington, Kansas, Georgia and Virginia more than offset MOM increases in the Colorado and South Dakota milk cow herds during Jun ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Texas, followed by Idaho, while Wisconsin and Pennsylvania experienced the largest YOY declines in their milk cow herds throughout the month.
- U.S. milk production increased on a YOY basis for the 11th time in the past 12 months, finishing 0.5% above previous year levels and reaching a record high seasonal level.
- The May ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 10,000 head below levels previously stated while the Jun ’20 herd declined an additional 10,000 head from the May revised figure, reaching a six month low level, overall. Milk cow herd figures remain 23,000 head above the previous year but finished 88,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
- U.S. milk per cow yields increased 0.2% on a YOY basis throughout Jun ’20, despite Western U.S. yields finishing lower YOY for the second consecutive month.
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 Jun ’19 – Jun ’19. Milk production volumes rebounded throughout more recent months, however, finishing higher over 11 of the past 12 months through Jun ’20.
YOY increases in production on a percentage basis were led by South Dakota (+9.5%), followed by Colorado (+5.5%) and Texas (+4.4%), while production volumes finished most significantly lower YOY on a percentage basis within New Mexico (-6.2%) and Florida (-6.0%). Overall, 12 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 sixth consecutive month throughout Jun ’20, finishing up 1.0%. California accounted for 18.1% of total U.S. milk production volumes throughout the month, leading all states.
Five of the top ten largest milk producing states experienced YOY increases in production throughout Jun ’20, as milk production within the top ten milk producing states increased by a weighted average of 0.3% throughout the month. The aforementioned states accounted for nearly three quarters of the total U.S. milk production experienced during Jun ’20. Production volumes outside of the top ten largest milk producing states increased 0.8% on a YOY basis throughout the month.
Jun ’20 YOY increases in milk production on an absolute basis were led by Texas, followed by Idaho and California, while YOY declines in production on an absolute basis were most significant throughout New Mexico, followed by Wisconsin.
The May ’20 U.S. milk cow herd figure was revised 10,000 head below levels previously stated while the Jun ’20 herd declined an additional 10,000 head from the May revised figure, reaching a six month low level, overall. The U.S. milk cow herd currently stands at 9.35 million head, remaining up 23,000 head from the previous year but finishing 88,000 head below the 23 year high level experienced during Jan ’18.
U.S. milk per cow yields rebounded from the previous month, finishing 0.2% above previous year levels. Milk per cow yields declined on a YOY basis for the first time in the past 55 months throughout May ’20, finishing 0.8% lower YOY. Yields experienced throughout the Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois finished 0.5% higher on a YOY basis however yields experienced throughout the Western states of California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon declined 0.1% YOY, finishing lower for the second consecutive month.
Month-over-month declines in milk cow herds experienced throughout Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan, New Mexico, Washington, Kansas, Georgia and Virginia more than offset MOM increases in the Colorado and South Dakota milk cow herds during Jun ’20.
YOY increases in milk cow herds were led by Texas, followed by Idaho, while Wisconsin and Pennsylvania experienced the largest YOY declines in their milk cow herds throughout the month.