Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released July 23, 2024, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). June Milk Production down 0.8 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during June totaled 18.0 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from June 2023. May revised production, at 18.8 billion pounds, was down 0.8 percent from May 2023. The May revision represented a decrease of 30 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,025 pounds for June, 8 pounds below June 2023. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.89 million head, 37,000 head less than June 2023, but 2,000 head more than May 2024. April-June Milk Production down 0.8 Percent Milk production in the United States during the April - June quarter totaled 57.5 billion pounds, down 0.8 percent from the April - June quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.33 million head, 3,000 head less than the January - March quarter, and 76,000 head less than the same period last year. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2023-2024 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :--------------------------------------------------------------------- Quarter : : : : : : : Change : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,418 9,337 6,035 6,100 56,837 56,959 0.2 April-June ......: 9,410 9,334 6,164 6,162 58,004 57,517 -0.8 July-September ..: 9,366 5,978 55,994 October-December : 9,349 5,940 55,529 : Annual ..........: 9,386 24,117 226,364 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2023-2024 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,922 8,870 2,071 2,062 18,474 18,294 -1.0 February ......: 8,939 8,888 1,897 1,962 16,953 17,439 2.9 March .........: 8,952 8,892 2,118 2,122 18,956 18,865 -0.5 April .........: 8,941 8,888 2,056 2,061 18,386 18,314 -0.4 May ...........: 8,945 8,886 2,125 2,121 19,006 18,845 -0.8 June ..........: 8,925 8,888 2,033 2,025 18,141 18,000 -0.8 July ..........: 8,909 2,045 18,216 August ........: 8,906 2,028 18,065 September .....: 8,907 1,958 17,444 October .......: 8,900 2,009 17,880 November ......: 8,891 1,947 17,311 December ......: 8,894 2,031 18,061 : Annual ........: 8,919 24,318 216,893 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2023-2024 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,401 9,323 2,054 2,047 19,308 19,083 -1.2 February ......: 9,419 9,343 1,881 1,947 17,718 18,195 2.7 March .........: 9,433 9,346 2,100 2,106 19,811 19,681 -0.7 April .........: 9,414 9,335 2,040 2,046 19,204 19,098 -0.6 May ...........: 9,418 9,333 2,108 2,106 19,852 19,652 -1.0 June ..........: 9,397 9,335 2,016 2,010 18,948 18,767 -1.0 July ..........: 9,368 2,027 18,985 August ........: 9,365 2,010 18,828 September .....: 9,366 1,941 18,181 October .......: 9,355 1,993 18,645 November ......: 9,345 1,932 18,051 December ......: 9,348 2,015 18,833 : Annual ........: 9,386 24,117 226,364 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: June 2023 and 2024 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 200 192 2,030 2,030 406 390 -3.9 California ......: 1,714 1,709 1,995 1,965 3,419 3,358 -1.8 Colorado ........: 204 203 2,145 2,135 438 433 -1.1 Florida .........: 95 99 1,705 1,715 162 170 4.9 Georgia .........: 93 85 1,850 1,860 172 158 -8.1 Idaho ...........: 670 668 2,145 2,130 1,437 1,423 -1.0 Illinois ........: 79 78 1,835 1,810 145 141 -2.8 Indiana .........: 189 188 2,010 1,990 380 374 -1.6 Iowa ............: 240 243 2,070 2,070 497 503 1.2 Kansas ..........: 175 173 1,955 1,955 342 338 -1.2 : Michigan ........: 438 438 2,310 2,290 1,012 1,003 -0.9 Minnesota .......: 452 446 1,945 1,950 879 870 -1.0 New Mexico ......: 275 238 2,000 2,020 550 481 -12.5 New York ........: 630 630 2,155 2,130 1,358 1,342 -1.2 Ohio ............: 252 252 1,875 1,865 473 470 -0.6 Oregon ..........: 120 119 1,760 1,775 211 211 - Pennsylvania ....: 466 465 1,770 1,735 825 807 -2.2 South Dakota ....: 195 212 1,925 1,915 375 406 8.3 Texas ...........: 635 648 2,095 2,115 1,330 1,371 3.1 Utah ............: 91 90 1,980 1,980 180 178 -1.1 : Vermont .........: 117 114 1,805 1,800 211 205 -2.8 Virginia ........: 68 66 1,720 1,700 117 112 -4.3 Washington ......: 258 260 2,010 2,030 519 528 1.7 Wisconsin .......: 1,269 1,272 2,130 2,145 2,703 2,728 0.9 : 24-State Total ..: 8,925 8,888 2,033 2,025 18,141 18,000 -0.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: May 2023 and 2024 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : from : : : : : : : 2023 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 198 192 2,190 2,185 434 420 -3.2 California ....: 1,715 1,709 2,125 2,095 3,644 3,580 -1.8 Colorado ......: 206 203 2,235 2,230 460 453 -1.5 Florida .......: 94 100 1,820 1,780 171 178 4.1 Georgia .......: 93 85 1,950 1,945 181 165 -8.8 Idaho .........: 670 668 2,215 2,195 1,484 1,466 -1.2 Illinois ......: 79 78 1,915 1,930 151 151 - Indiana .......: 189 189 2,070 2,055 391 388 -0.8 Iowa ..........: 240 243 2,135 2,150 512 522 2.0 Kansas ........: 179 173 2,055 2,065 368 357 -3.0 : Michigan ......: 436 438 2,400 2,375 1,046 1,040 -0.6 Minnesota .....: 454 446 1,995 2,020 906 901 -0.6 New Mexico ....: 280 238 2,160 2,170 605 516 -14.7 New York ......: 630 630 2,225 2,230 1,402 1,405 0.2 Ohio ..........: 252 253 1,945 1,930 490 488 -0.4 Oregon ........: 122 118 1,830 1,840 223 217 -2.7 Pennsylvania ..: 466 465 1,855 1,825 864 849 -1.7 South Dakota ..: 193 212 1,975 1,975 381 419 10.0 Texas .........: 645 643 2,240 2,240 1,445 1,440 -0.3 Utah ..........: 91 90 2,030 2,035 185 183 -1.1 : Vermont .......: 118 114 1,890 1,885 223 215 -3.6 Virginia ......: 67 67 1,845 1,820 124 122 -1.6 Washington ....: 258 260 2,095 2,100 541 546 0.9 Wisconsin .....: 1,270 1,272 2,185 2,220 2,775 2,824 1.8 : 24-State Total : 8,945 8,886 2,125 2,121 19,006 18,845 -0.8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - States and United States: Revised January - March 2023 and 2024 [May not add due to rounding] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : January - March milk cows 1/ : January - March milk production 2/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : : : : : Change : : : : : from : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head million pounds million pounds percent : Alabama ........: 2.5 2.5 9.0 8.0 -11.1 Alaska .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (NA) Arizona ........: 194.0 194.0 1,238.0 1,257.0 1.5 Arkansas .......: 3.0 2.5 10.0 8.0 -20.0 California .....: 1,718.0 1,709.0 10,446.0 10,564.0 1.1 Colorado .......: 201.0 201.0 1,295.0 1,307.0 0.9 Connecticut ....: 18.5 17.5 109.0 107.0 -1.8 Delaware .......: 2.7 2.6 12.8 12.9 0.8 Florida ........: 91.0 99.0 490.0 545.0 11.2 Georgia ........: 92.0 87.0 540.0 502.0 -7.0 : Hawaii .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (NA) Idaho ..........: 667.0 665.0 4,146.0 4,122.0 -0.6 Illinois .......: 79.0 79.0 433.0 442.0 2.1 Indiana ........: 189.0 190.0 1,124.0 1,124.0 - Iowa ...........: 240.0 241.0 1,474.0 1,510.0 2.4 Kansas .........: 178.0 174.0 1,058.0 1,053.0 -0.5 Kentucky .......: 46.0 43.0 245.0 223.0 -9.0 Louisiana ......: 8.0 8.0 30.0 29.0 -3.3 Maine ..........: 25.0 24.0 135.0 134.0 -0.7 Maryland .......: 40.0 40.0 213.0 220.0 3.3 : Massachusetts ..: 9.0 9.0 45.0 45.0 - Michigan .......: 435.0 439.0 2,984.0 3,024.0 1.3 Minnesota ......: 455.0 448.0 2,616.0 2,608.0 -0.3 Mississippi ....: 6.0 5.5 23.0 19.0 -17.4 Missouri .......: 64.0 59.0 223.0 209.0 -6.3 Montana ........: 9.5 9.0 53.0 51.0 -3.8 Nebraska .......: 55.0 51.0 340.0 315.0 -7.4 Nevada .........: 33.0 32.0 185.0 194.0 4.9 New Hampshire ..: 10.0 9.5 53.0 52.0 -1.9 New Jersey .....: 4.1 4.0 22.0 22.0 - : New Mexico .....: 281.0 241.0 1,779.0 1,532.0 -13.9 New York .......: 630.0 630.0 3,941.0 3,975.0 0.9 North Carolina .: 39.0 38.0 235.0 228.0 -3.0 North Dakota ...: 13.0 10.0 73.0 58.0 -20.5 Ohio ...........: 252.0 255.0 1,399.0 1,426.0 1.9 Oklahoma .......: 41.0 39.0 195.0 188.0 -3.6 Oregon .........: 125.0 116.0 648.0 602.0 -7.1 Pennsylvania ...: 466.0 465.0 2,500.0 2,500.0 - Rhode Island ...: 0.5 0.5 2.4 2.4 - South Carolina .: 8.5 8.0 41.0 39.0 -4.9 : South Dakota ...: 188.0 210.0 1,058.0 1,196.0 13.0 Tennessee ......: 26.0 25.0 123.0 118.0 -4.1 Texas ..........: 655.0 641.0 4,281.0 4,189.0 -2.1 Utah ...........: 90.0 89.0 512.0 514.0 0.4 Vermont ........: 118.0 116.0 634.0 625.0 -1.4 Virginia .......: 68.0 67.0 358.0 361.0 0.8 Washington .....: 257.0 258.0 1,538.0 1,562.0 1.6 West Virginia ..: 4.5 4.0 17.0 15.0 -11.8 Wisconsin ......: 1,270.0 1,270.0 7,891.0 8,058.0 2.1 Wyoming ........: 9.0 9.0 58.6 62.0 5.8 : Other States 3/ : 0.9 0.8 1.4 1.7 21.4 : United States ..: 9,418.0 9,337.0 56,837.0 56,959.0 0.2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. 3/ Other States includes Alaska and Hawaii. Milk Cows and Production - States and United States: Preliminary April - June 2023 and 2024 [May not add due to rounding] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : April - June milk cows 1/ : April - June milk production 2/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : : : : : Change : : : : : from : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 : 2024 : 2023 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head million pounds million pounds percent : Alabama ........: 2.5 2.5 8.0 7.0 -12.5 Alaska .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (NA) Arizona ........: 198.0 192.0 1,268.0 1,231.0 -2.9 Arkansas .......: 3.0 2.0 9.0 7.0 -22.2 California .....: 1,715.0 1,709.0 10,600.0 10,474.0 -1.2 Colorado .......: 205.0 203.0 1,342.0 1,327.0 -1.1 Connecticut ....: 18.0 17.5 109.0 108.0 -0.9 Delaware .......: 2.7 2.6 12.7 12.3 -3.1 Florida ........: 94.0 100.0 499.0 539.0 8.0 Georgia ........: 93.0 85.0 533.0 490.0 -8.1 : Hawaii .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (NA) Idaho ..........: 670.0 668.0 4,329.0 4,301.0 -0.6 Illinois .......: 79.0 78.0 443.0 441.0 -0.5 Indiana ........: 189.0 189.0 1,151.0 1,139.0 -1.0 Iowa ...........: 240.0 243.0 1,503.0 1,534.0 2.1 Kansas .........: 178.0 173.0 1,070.0 1,038.0 -3.0 Kentucky .......: 45.0 43.0 244.0 228.0 -6.6 Louisiana ......: 8.0 7.5 29.0 25.0 -13.8 Maine ..........: 25.0 24.0 142.0 141.0 -0.7 Maryland .......: 40.0 39.0 216.0 207.0 -4.2 : Massachusetts ..: 9.0 9.0 47.0 47.0 - Michigan .......: 437.0 438.0 3,065.0 3,053.0 -0.4 Minnesota ......: 453.0 446.0 2,659.0 2,638.0 -0.8 Mississippi ....: 6.0 5.5 20.0 18.0 -10.0 Missouri .......: 63.0 58.0 240.0 218.0 -9.2 Montana ........: 9.5 8.5 55.0 50.0 -9.1 Nebraska .......: 55.0 51.0 345.0 318.0 -7.8 Nevada .........: 34.0 31.0 199.0 195.0 -2.0 New Hampshire ..: 9.5 9.5 53.0 52.0 -1.9 New Jersey .....: 4.0 4.0 22.0 22.0 - : New Mexico .....: 279.0 237.0 1,757.0 1,495.0 -14.9 New York .......: 630.0 630.0 4,102.0 4,095.0 -0.2 North Carolina .: 38.0 38.0 229.0 228.0 -0.4 North Dakota ...: 12.0 9.5 71.0 57.0 -19.7 Ohio ...........: 252.0 253.0 1,436.0 1,437.0 0.1 Oklahoma .......: 39.0 39.0 179.0 186.0 3.9 Oregon .........: 122.0 118.0 655.0 636.0 -2.9 Pennsylvania ...: 466.0 465.0 2,544.0 2,500.0 -1.7 Rhode Island ...: 0.5 0.5 2.5 2.3 -8.0 South Carolina .: 8.5 8.0 40.0 39.0 -2.5 : South Dakota ...: 192.0 212.0 1,114.0 1,228.0 10.2 Tennessee ......: 25.0 24.0 119.0 114.0 -4.2 Texas ..........: 642.0 644.0 4,188.0 4,177.0 -0.3 Utah ...........: 91.0 90.0 539.0 536.0 -0.6 Vermont ........: 118.0 114.0 649.0 627.0 -3.4 Virginia .......: 67.0 67.0 362.0 356.0 -1.7 Washington .....: 259.0 260.0 1,591.0 1,606.0 0.9 West Virginia ..: 4.5 4.0 17.0 15.0 -11.8 Wisconsin ......: 1,269.0 1,272.0 8,134.0 8,261.0 1.6 Wyoming ........: 9.5 9.0 60.8 59.4 -2.3 : Other States 3/ : 0.9 0.9 1.7 2.0 17.6 : United States ..: 9,410.0 9,334.0 58,004.0 57,517.0 -0.8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. 3/ Other States includes Alaska and Hawaii. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Primary data used to determine these estimates were obtained from a sample of producers. Individual States maintain a list of all known milk producers and information on the size of their herd. States use all known sources of producers to ensure that their lists are as complete as possible. Generally, all large producers and a sample of small producers are included in the survey. Questionnaires are mailed to producers near the end of the month to obtain data for the first day of the month. Additional reports are obtained by telephone, as needed, to supplement the mail response. Where feasible, States utilize state and federal administrative data to estimate milk production. This eliminates duplication of data gathering by different government agencies. Indications of milk cow inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Surveys. Estimation Procedures: Regional Field Offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications, historic trends, and any available administrative data. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness. Revision Policy: Milk production, milk per cow, and number of milk cows are subject to revision the following month after initial publication for monthly States or the following quarter for the quarterly States. Normally, administrative data from Federal Market Orders, State Departments of Agriculture, or other sources are the main basis for revisions. However, administrative data for all States may not be available in time for these revisions. Estimates are again subject to revisions in February each year based on additional administrative data. In the event that additional changes are necessary, a third revision is possible in February the following year. Estimates are again reviewed after data from the five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions are made after that date. Reliability: Since all operations with dairy animals are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items on the next page. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for milk production estimates over the past 20 quarters is 0.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 57.5 billion pounds by more than 0.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.3 percent. Reliability of Quarterly Milk Production Estimates [Based on data for the past 20 quarters] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Quarters : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent -------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ---- : : Milk production ..............: 0.2 0.3 71 0 216 8 11 : All milk cows ................: 0.1 0.2 8 1 29 9 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@usda.gov. Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ...... (202) 692-0069 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........ (202) 690-2424 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ... (202) 690-8632 Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ....... (202) 720-3040 Kim DaPra - Milk Production and Milk Cows.. (512) 501-3266 Donnie Fike - Dairy Products .............. (202) 690-3347 Ralph Mondesir - Hogs and Pigs ............ (202) 720-3106 Suzanne Richards - Sheep and Goats ........ (202) 720-4448 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on "National" or "State" in upper right corner above "search" box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive. Cornell's Mann Library has launched a new website housing NASS's and other agency's archived reports. The new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. All email subscriptions containing reports will be sent from the new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. To continue receiving the reports via e-mail, you will have to go to the new website, create a new account and re-subscribe to the reports. If you need instructions to set up an account or subscribe, they are located at: https://usda.library.cornell.edu/help. You should whitelist notifications@usda-esmis.library.cornell.edu in your email client to avoid the emails going into spam/junk folders. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.