USDA Reports Decrease in March Milk Production Across Major Dairy States
Source: The DairyNews
According to Brownfield Ag News, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has disclosed a decline in milk production across key dairy states in March 2024.
USDA data reveals that milk production in the 24 major dairy states totaled 18.8 billion pounds last month, marking a decrease of nine-tenths of a percent compared to March 2023.
In March, production per cow averaged 2,115 pounds, dropping by three pounds from the previous year. Additionally, the total number of cattle in these states decreased by 71,000 head compared to March 2023, totaling 8.88 million head, representing a further decrease of 7,000 cattle from February.
Despite this decline, milk production for the first quarter of 2024 experienced a marginal increase of one-tenth of a percent from the previous year, totaling 56.9 billion pounds. However, the US total milking herd declined to 9.33 million head, reflecting a decrease of 16,000 cattle from the fourth quarter of 2023 and 85,000 fewer cattle compared to the first quarter of 2023.
California maintained its position as the top producer, with 1.7 million head generating 3.6 billion pounds of milk, followed closely by Wisconsin with 1.2 million head yielding 2.7 billion pounds. Michigan continued its dominance in milk production per cow, averaging 2,350 pounds.
In March, production per cow averaged 2,115 pounds, dropping by three pounds from the previous year. Additionally, the total number of cattle in these states decreased by 71,000 head compared to March 2023, totaling 8.88 million head, representing a further decrease of 7,000 cattle from February.
Despite this decline, milk production for the first quarter of 2024 experienced a marginal increase of one-tenth of a percent from the previous year, totaling 56.9 billion pounds. However, the US total milking herd declined to 9.33 million head, reflecting a decrease of 16,000 cattle from the fourth quarter of 2023 and 85,000 fewer cattle compared to the first quarter of 2023.
California maintained its position as the top producer, with 1.7 million head generating 3.6 billion pounds of milk, followed closely by Wisconsin with 1.2 million head yielding 2.7 billion pounds. Michigan continued its dominance in milk production per cow, averaging 2,350 pounds.
