The USDA Milk Production Report shows a significant decline in US milk production for the seventh consecutive month, with January’s production of 19.1 billion lbs., a 1.1% decrease from last year. This decline is due to a sharp drop in milk production in New Mexico, Texas, Idaho, and South Dakota. New Mexico saw the steepest decline, with 97 million fewer pounds and 42,000 fewer cows. Texas also lost 56 million pounds of milk and 15,000 cows, owing in part to a large barn fire at South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmit. Idaho also saw a decrease of 29 million pounds and 1,000 fewer heads. South Dakota saw a positive performance, increasing 39 million pounds with 21,000 more cows, adding nearly $4 billion to the state’s annual revenue. Wisconsin gained 25 million pounds with unchanged cow numbers, while Florida gained 10 million pounds with 6,000 more cows. Phil Plourd, president of Ever.Ag Insights, believes the report represents mediocre performance at best, as on-farm financial performance continues to weigh on overall output.
