U.S. milk production increased slightly for February. The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says total U.S. milk production increased 1.8 percent from last year to 17 billion pounds.
Production per cow was 24 pounds above a year ago averaging 1,807 pounds. The herd size increased by 45,000 cows from 2017 to 9.4 million.
California had the most dairy cattle with 1.7 million head followed by Wisconsin with nearly 1.3 million head. Arizona had the most milk per cow at 2,040 pounds with Michigan close behind at 2,035 pounds per cow.
Summary of Brownfield states:
Illinois: 153 million pounds, unchanged from 2017, average yield of 1,650 pounds per cow, down 10 pounds from last year, herd of 93,000 head, unchanged from 2017.
Indiana: 333 million pounds, up two million pounds from 2017, average yield of 1,780 pounds per cow, unchanged from a year ago, herd of 187,000 head, up 1,000 from 2017.
Iowa: 402 million pounds, up seven million pounds from 2017, average yield of 1,825 pounds per cow, down five pounds from a year ago, herd of 220,000 head, up 4,000 from 2017.
Michigan: 871 million pounds, up 8 million pounds from 2017, average yield of 2,035 pounds per cow, up five pounds from 2017, herd of 428,000 head, up 3,000 from 2017.
Minnesota: 760 million pounds, down four million pounds from 2017, average yield of 1,6700 pounds per cow, up 10 pounds from last year, herd of 455,000 head, down 5,000 from 2017.
Ohio: 427 million pounds, down three million pounds from 2017, average yield of 1,630 pounds per cow, down 10 pounds from a year ago, herd of 262,000 head, unchanged from 2017.
South Dakota: 201 million pounds, unchanged from 2017, average yield of 1,705 pounds per cow, down 10 pounds per cow, herd of 118,000 head, up 1,000 from 2017.
Wisconsin: 2.333 billion pounds, up one percent from a year ago, an average yield of 1,830 per cow, up 10 pounds per cow, herd of 1.275 million head, down 5,000 from 2017.
Source: Brownsfield