This summer our farmers and cattle have faced heat and now in some areas major flooding but milk production has not suffered. According to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report, Wisconsin cows during July 2018 milk production totaled 2.62 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the previous July, The average number of milk cows during July, at 1.27 million head, was the same as last month but down 4,000 from last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,055 pounds, up 30 pounds from last July.
Then taking a look at milk production in the 23 major States, during July the total milk production was 17.3 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent from July 2017. June revised production, at 17.2 billion pounds, was up 1.6 percent from June 2017. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,980 pounds for July, 8 pounds above July 2017. This is the highest production per cow for the month of July 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, 1,000 head more than July 2017, but 8,000 head less than June 2018.
Milk production in the United States overall during July totaled 18.4 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent from July 2017. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,953 pounds for July, 10 pounds above July 2017. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.40 million head, 8,000 head less than July 2017, and 8,000 head less than June 2018.
The complete USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report can be found under Publications on the USDA NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov.