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Largest U.S. dairy herd since 2009


Milk production in the United States in October totaled 17.1 billion pounds up 3.8 percent from October of last year. This is on top of a 4.2 percent increase in September.  Production per cow in October increased 52 pounds to average 1,842.  U.S. dairy farmers added 77,000 cows to make the herd 9.28 million head, this is the largest dairy herd in this country since April, 2009.

Milk production in the 23 major dairy states in October totaled 16 billion pounds up 3.9 percent from October of 2013. Production per cow in the 23 states averaged 1,868 up 51 from a year ago and there were 8.59 million cows in those states, 89,000 more than October of last year and 3,000 more than in September.  All of the 23 major dairy states saw an increase in production compared to a year ago.

Some significant increases in dairy cow numbers compared to a year ago; Colorado and Kansas each added 8,000, Washington added 9,000, Idaho increased 10,000, Michigan added 17,000 and Texas jumped 32,000 head. As a result, those states also seeing significant increases in milk production including Texas up 11.6 percent compared to October of 2013.

California milk production totaled 3.4 billion pounds in October up 2.7 percent from a year ago. The Golden State dairy herd held steady at 1.78 million cows but production per cow increased 50 pounds to average 1,925.

Wisconsin milk production increased 2.4 percent to 2.33 billion pounds. The Badger State dairy herd decreased 2,000 head to 1.27 million but production per cow increased 45 pounds to 1,840.  This is the first time October production per cow has exceeded 1,800 in Wisconsin.

Read the full NASS report here:


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