U.S. milk-fat tests finished higher on a YOY basis for the 73^rd time in the past 75 months throughout Dec ’21, reaching a record high monthly level throughout the month. U.S. milk-fat tests typically reach seasonal high levels throughout the month of December. Milk-fat tests briefly finished below previous year levels throughout the early months of COVID-19, when dumped milk volumes reached record high levels, but have returned to record high seasonal levels over 21 consecutive months through Dec ’21.

U.S. milk-fat tests have increased significantly throughout the past several years, following largely flat growth rates experienced throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. U.S. milk-fat tests have increased by a compound annual growth rate of 0.8% throughout the past ten years, following a period of zero percent annual growth exhibited throughout 1980 – 2010.

South Dakota experienced the highest milk-fat tests throughout the 2021 calendar year, followed by Texas and Minnesota. Milk-fat tests experienced throughout Florida, Georgia and Arizona were the lowest experienced over the period.

2021 annual milk-fat tests increased most significantly on a YOY basis throughout South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, while Florida, Georgia and Utah milk-fat tests finished below previous year levels over the period.

Growth in milk-fat production, as defined as milk production volumes multiplied by milk-fat test rates, has continued to outpace growth in total milk production volumes over 75 consecutive months through the end of the 2021 calendar year. Record high deviations in growth rates have been experienced throughout the second half of 2021.