News
Milk production moves negative on the year
Milk production for October marked the first decline over last year since February as herd reductions and per cow production pulled down output.
USDA says production in the U.S. for the month totaled 18.5 billion pounds, down a half a percent from last year, with production per cow down six pounds from 2020.
The herd size was down 14,000 head on the year and on the month.
Jim Salfer with the University of Minnesota Extension says he believes hot weather this summer was more challenging for reproduction than in previous years in the Upper Midwest and beyond which will weigh on total production into next year.
“That will bode for lower milk supplies and also for little higher prices,” he says.
South Dakota production continues to grow significantly compared to other regions, up more than 15 percent followed by Texas, up almost four percent. Production in New Mexico declined by more than 12 percent, followed by Washington. Michigan remains the leader in per cow output.
