The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its latest Milk Production Report, revealing a small decline in milk production for May 2024. Compared to May 2023, milk production in the 24 major dairy states fell by 0.7%, totaling 18.9 billion pounds.
The average milk production per cow also dipped slightly, reaching 2,122 pounds in May 2024, down 3 pounds from the same month the prior year.
However, the number of dairy cows on farms did see a small increase. There were 52,000 fewer cows compared to May 2023, but 5,000 more than April 2024.
Looking at total US milk production, May 2024 saw a 0.9% decrease compared to May 2023, reaching 19.7 billion pounds. While the decline is modest, it suggests a slight slowdown in the dairy industry.
For a more detailed report, you can visit the USDA website – https://usda.library.cornell.edu/concern/publications/h989r321c