U.S. milk production fell slightly in December 2023. The USDA reported that the 24 main milk-producing states produced 18.1 billion pounds of milk, a one-tenth of a percent decrease from the previous year.
The USDA also reduced November output down by six-tenths of a percent from early estimates to 17.3 billion pounds, 14 million pounds less than the previous year.
There are 8.9 million dairy cows in the 24 main dairy states, and 9.36 million throughout the country.
Production per cow increased in the first half of 2023 but decreased in the final half of the year. Last year, January had the highest milk output and per-cow production rate.
California is the leading total milk producer, producing 3.44 billion pounds, followed by Wisconsin, which produces 2.67 billion pounds. Michigan continues to top the country in milk-per-cow output, with 2,210 pounds per cow.
