Nationally, August 2014 milk production was estimated at 17.217 billion lbs., up 2.5% from August 2013, according to USDA’s monthly report. The increase over year-earlier levels is lower than many expected.
U.S. milk cow numbers were estimated at 9.276 million head, 1,000 head less than July 2014, but 47,000 more than August 2013. Production per cow averaged 1,856 lbs. for August, up 37 lbs. from the same month a year earlier.
Dave Kurzawski, FCStone, characterized the report as bullish compared to market expectations. Eric Meyer, HighGround Dairy, said the report was neutral. Meyer noted August 2013 provided extremely mild weather, which brought exceptional milk production for the month a year ago. August 2014 brought more normal summer heat to much of the country, resulting in more moderate milk production gains.
August milk production in the 23 major states totaled 16.177 billion lbs., up 2.6% from August 2013.
August 2014 milk cow numbers in the major states was 8.582 million head, down 1,000 from July 2014, but 60,000 head more than August 2013. Production per cow in those states averaged 1,985 lbs. for August, 35 lbs. more August 2013, and the highest production per cow for August since USDA’s 23-state series began in 2003.
July revised production, at 16.388 billion lbs., was up 4.0% from July 2013. The July revision represented a decrease of 1 million lbs. (0.1%) from last month’s preliminary production estimate.
Eleven states reported increases in cow numbers compared to a year ago, with largest year-to-year increases in Texas (+30,000); Michigan (+13,000); Colorado (+8,000); Kansas (+7,000) and Idaho (+6,000). Nine states posted declines in cow numbers, led by Ohio and Minnesota (-5,000) and Pennsylvania (-3,000). Cow numbers in Florida, Iowa and Oregon were unchanged.
Florida, Vermont, Virginia and New Mexico led all states in milk production per cow compared to the same month earlier.
Milk production, U.S. and major dairy states, August 2013-2014 | |||||||
Milk cows | Milk per cow | Total milk | production | ||||
(1,000 head) | (Lbs./month) | (Million lbs.) | (Million lbs.) | Change | |||
Aug. 2013 | Aug. 2014 | Aug. 2013 | Aug. 2014 | Aug. 2013 | Aug. 2014 | 2013-2014 | |
Arizona | 188 | 193 | 1,830 | 1,860 | 344 | 359 | 4.4 |
California | 1,780 | 1,778 | 1,910 | 1,940 | 3,400 | 3,449 | 1.4 |
Colorado | 137 | 145 | 2,095 | 2,135 | 287 | 310 | 8.0 |
Florida | 123 | 123 | 1,450 | 1,570 | 178 | 193 | 8.4 |
Idaho | 573 | 579 | 2,060 | 2,100 | 1,180 | 1,216 | 3.1 |
Illinois | 97 | 95 | 1,550 | 1,580 | 150 | 150 | n.c. |
Indiana | 177 | 179 | 1,810 | 1,875 | 320 | 336 | 5.0 |
Iowa | 208 | 208 | 1,850 | 1,860 | 385 | 387 | 0.5 |
Kansas | 135 | 142 | 1,790 | 1,805 | 242 | 256 | 5.8 |
Michigan | 381 | 394 | 2,050 | 2,115 | 781 | 833 | 6.7 |
Minnesota | 465 | 460 | 1,635 | 1,660 | 760 | 764 | 0.5 |
New Mexico | 324 | 323 | 2,015 | 2,100 | 653 | 678 | 3.8 |
New York | 610 | 615 | 1,885 | 1,920 | 1,150 | 1,181 | 2.7 |
Ohio | 271 | 266 | 1,680 | 1,735 | 455 | 462 | 1.5 |
Oregon | 123 | 123 | 1,750 | 1,740 | 215 | 214 | -0.5 |
Pennsylvania | 533 | 530 | 1,660 | 1,680 | 885 | 890 | 0.6 |
South Dakota | 95 | 97 | 1,835 | 1,855 | 174 | 180 | 3.4 |
Texas | 440 | 470 | 1,795 | 1,785 | 790 | 839 | 6.2 |
Utah | 92 | 95 | 1,915 | 1,925 | 176 | 183 | 4.0 |
Vermont | 135 | 132 | 1,630 | 1,725 | 220 | 228 | 3.6 |
Virginia | 95 | 93 | 1,490 | 1,580 | 142 | 147 | 3.5 |
Washington | 268 | 272 | 2,040 | 2,060 | 547 | 560 | 2.4 |
Wisconsin | 1,272 | 1,270 | 1,835 | 1,860 | 2,334 | 2,362 | 1.2 |
23-State | 8,522 | 8,582 | 1,850 | 1,885 | 15,768 | 16,177 | 2.6 |
U.S. | 9,229 | 9,276 | 1,819 | 1,856 | 16,789 | 17,217 | 2.5 |
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. | |||||||
Source: USDA |