After four consecutive months of lower output, Wisconsin dairy cows produced more milk during the month of September when compared to year-ago figures. According to the USDA’s monthly milk production report, the state made 2.52 billion pounds of milk during the month. That was up a slight 0.6 percent from September 2018, but less than August’s 2.61 billion pounds (which had more days on the calendar).
Nationally, 16.8 billion pounds of milk was produced in the 24 major dairy states for the month. That was a 1.6 percent increase over 2018, but less than the previous month’s 17.4 billion.
California continues to have the highest total production with about 3.27 billion pounds. Texas had the greatest increase in output as that state produced 1.13 billion pounds–9.3 percent more than the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major states was 8.80 million head, 11,000 head less than September 2018, but 7,000 head more than August 2019. The average number of milk cows on Wisconsin farms for the month was 1.27 million head, which was unchanged from last month, but 6,000 fewer than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,985 pounds, which was 20 pounds more than last year’s figures.
Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection