U.S. Milk Output Dips in May, South Dakota Bucks Trend with 10% Surge
Source: The DairyNews
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported on June 21, 2024, a slight decline in milk production across the 24 major dairy-producing states, with volumes reaching 18.9 billion pounds in May 2024, marking a 0.7 percent decrease from the previous year.
Despite the overall downturn, South Dakota demonstrated a significant increase, with its milk production soaring 10% year-over-year to 420 million pounds in May 2024.
Nationally, the total milk production in the United States dipped to 19.7 billion pounds, down by 0.9 percent compared to May 2023. This decrease corresponds with a reduction in the national herd; the number of milk cows decreased by 52,000 heads year-over-year to 8.89 million, although this is an increase of 5,000 cows from April 2024.
The production per cow across the major states averaged 2,122 pounds in May 2024, slightly down by three pounds from the same month last year.
In contrast, South Dakota saw an increase not just in production but also in herd size, with the average number of milk cows rising by 19,000 heads to 212,000. Production per cow in the state averaged 1,980 pounds during the month.
Nationally, the total milk production in the United States dipped to 19.7 billion pounds, down by 0.9 percent compared to May 2023. This decrease corresponds with a reduction in the national herd; the number of milk cows decreased by 52,000 heads year-over-year to 8.89 million, although this is an increase of 5,000 cows from April 2024.
The production per cow across the major states averaged 2,122 pounds in May 2024, slightly down by three pounds from the same month last year.
In contrast, South Dakota saw an increase not just in production but also in herd size, with the average number of milk cows rising by 19,000 heads to 212,000. Production per cow in the state averaged 1,980 pounds during the month.
