Wisconsin milk production increased in May. According to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Milk Production report, milk production in Wisconsin during May 2018 totaled 2.65 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the previous May. The average number of milk cows producing in Wisconsin in May was 1.27 million head. The same amount of milk cows were producing in April but it is 5,000 less head of cattle from last year during the same period. The monthly production per cow also increased averaging 2,080 pounds, up 30 pounds from last May.
Then the milk production in the 23 major States during May also saw an increase with a total of 17.9 billion pounds, up 0.9 percent from May 2017. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 2,052 pounds for May, 15 pounds above May 2017. This is the highest production per cow for the month of May since the 23 State series began in 2003. The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.74 million head, 10,000 head more than May 2017, and 2,000 head more than April 2018.
Similar to Wisconsin, milk production in the United States during May totaled 19.1 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent from May 2017. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,031 pounds for May, 15 pounds above May 2017. The overall number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.40 million head, 3,000 head more than May 2017, and 2,000 head more than April 2018.
The complete USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Milk Production report t can be found under publications on the USDA NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov.