U.S. Milk Production Update – Jun ’15
According to USDA, May ’15 U.S. milk production was up 1.4% YOY, at 18,350 million pounds, setting a new May production record. Production declined slightly MOM, however, contracting 0.2% on a daily average basis vs. the peak seasonal production levels reached in Apr ’15. Production has increased slightly on average over the past ten years from April – May, however spring flush production has been reached within the month of April over three of the past four years.
U.S. milk production gains accelerated on a YOY basis throughout much of 2014, as shown below, however production growth tapered off over the final quarter of the year and into 2015. The May ’15 YOY growth rate of 1.4% matched the lowest experienced over the past 13 months.
YOY production gains on a percentage basis continue to be led by South Dakota (+8.9%), followed by Michigan (+7.6%) and Illinois (+4.8%). California milk production declined YOY for the sixth consecutive month, finishing 2.9% lower, while production in New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Arizona also finished lower than the prior year. California, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Arizona all experienced lower YOY milk per cow yields while Oregon and Texas also experienced reductions in their milk cow herds.
Overall, the U.S. milk cow herd continued to expand in May ’15, with the number of milk cows on farms increasing by 3,000 head vs. the Apr ’15 revised figure. The total milk cow herd stands at 9,310,000 head, which remains 58,000 head more than May of last year. Milk per cow yield was up 0.8% YOY, increasing to 1,971 lbs, the largest on record for the month of May.
Milk cow herds increased MOM in Michigan (+2,000 head), New York (+1,000 head) and Vermont (+1,000 head), while no MOM declines were exhibited.
YOY increases in milk cow herds continue to be led by Michigan (+22,000 head), followed by Idaho (+11,000 head) and Wisconsin (+9,000 head). Texas (-3,000 head), Oregon (-1,000 head) and Virginia (-1,000 head) experienced YOY reductions in their milk cow herds.
U.S. milk production gains accelerated on a YOY basis throughout much of 2014, as shown below, however production growth tapered off over the final quarter of the year and into 2015. The May ’15 YOY growth rate of 1.4% matched the lowest experienced over the past 13 months.
YOY production gains on a percentage basis continue to be led by South Dakota (+8.9%), followed by Michigan (+7.6%) and Illinois (+4.8%). California milk production declined YOY for the sixth consecutive month, finishing 2.9% lower, while production in New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Arizona also finished lower than the prior year. California, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Arizona all experienced lower YOY milk per cow yields while Oregon and Texas also experienced reductions in their milk cow herds.
Overall, the U.S. milk cow herd continued to expand in May ’15, with the number of milk cows on farms increasing by 3,000 head vs. the Apr ’15 revised figure. The total milk cow herd stands at 9,310,000 head, which remains 58,000 head more than May of last year. Milk per cow yield was up 0.8% YOY, increasing to 1,971 lbs, the largest on record for the month of May.
Milk cow herds increased MOM in Michigan (+2,000 head), New York (+1,000 head) and Vermont (+1,000 head), while no MOM declines were exhibited.
YOY increases in milk cow herds continue to be led by Michigan (+22,000 head), followed by Idaho (+11,000 head) and Wisconsin (+9,000 head). Texas (-3,000 head), Oregon (-1,000 head) and Virginia (-1,000 head) experienced YOY reductions in their milk cow herds.