Milk Production
ISSN: 1949-1557
Released December 17, 2020, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
November Milk Production up 3.1 Percent
Milk production in the 24 major States during November totaled 17.2 billion
pounds, up 3.1 percent from November 2019. October revised production, at
17.7 billion pounds, was up 2.5 percent from October 2019. The October
revision represented a decrease of 7 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent
from last month's preliminary production estimate.
Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 1,935 pounds for November,
41 pounds above November 2019.
The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.90 million
head, 82,000 head more than November 2019, and 13,000 head more than October
2020.
November Milk Production in the United States up 3.0 Percent
Milk production in the United States during November totaled 18.0 billion
pounds, up 3.0 percent from November 2019.
Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,916 pounds for November,
43 pounds above November 2019.
The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.41 million head,
62,000 head more than November 2019, and 12,000 head more than October 2020.
Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2019-2020
[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
: 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : from
: : : : : : : 2019
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent
:
January-March ...: 9,346 9,374 5,823 5,988 54,423 56,130 3.1
April-June ......: 9,331 9,362 5,971 5,981 55,716 55,997 0.5
July-September ..: 9,322 9,365 5,818 5,907 54,237 55,323 2.0
October-December : 9,345 5,779 54,006
:
Annual ..........: 9,336 23,391 218,382
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2019-2020
[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 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : from
: : : : : : : 2019
:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
January .......: 8,805 8,834 2,010 2,033 17,699 17,956 1.5
February ......: 8,803 8,848 1,833 1,925 16,132 17,031 5.6
March .........: 8,789 8,857 2,038 2,084 17,916 18,455 3.0
April .........: 8,788 8,852 1,996 2,008 17,544 17,778 1.3
May ...........: 8,790 8,836 2,063 2,043 18,137 18,049 -0.5
June ..........: 8,784 8,827 1,974 1,981 17,342 17,486 0.8
July ..........: 8,785 8,840 1,997 2,024 17,542 17,891 2.0
August ........: 8,789 8,845 1,984 2,008 17,439 17,764 1.9
September .....: 8,805 8,864 1,908 1,941 16,796 17,201 2.4
October .......: 8,819 8,886 1,962 1,995 17,299 17,726 2.5
November ......: 8,817 8,899 1,894 1,935 16,699 17,224 3.1
December ......: 8,816 1,987 17,517
:
Annual ........: 8,799 23,646 208,062
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2019-2020
[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 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : from
: : : : : : : 2019
:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
January .......: 9,354 9,361 1,990 2,015 18,612 18,860 1.3
February ......: 9,352 9,375 1,814 1,908 16,966 17,890 5.4
March .........: 9,333 9,385 2,019 2,065 18,845 19,380 2.8
April .........: 9,332 9,375 1,975 1,992 18,433 18,675 1.3
May ...........: 9,333 9,360 2,042 2,025 19,058 18,955 -0.5
June ..........: 9,327 9,350 1,954 1,964 18,225 18,367 0.8
July ..........: 9,315 9,357 1,973 2,001 18,375 18,725 1.9
August ........: 9,318 9,361 1,960 1,986 18,267 18,595 1.8
September .....: 9,333 9,376 1,885 1,920 17,595 18,003 2.3
October .......: 9,347 9,395 1,940 1,975 18,135 18,553 2.3
November ......: 9,345 9,407 1,873 1,916 17,506 18,025 3.0
December ......: 9,343 1,966 18,365
:
Annual ........: 9,336 23,391 218,382
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: November 2019 and 2020
[May not add due to rounding]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
State :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
: 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : from
: : : : : : : 2019
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
Arizona .........: 196 195 1,990 1,960 390 382 -2.1
California ......: 1,725 1,720 1,895 1,950 3,269 3,354 2.6
Colorado ........: 190 201 2,085 2,110 396 424 7.1
Florida .........: 117 112 1,570 1,570 184 176 -4.3
Georgia .........: 81 81 1,755 1,780 142 144 1.4
Idaho ...........: 634 645 2,000 2,005 1,268 1,293 2.0
Illinois ........: 82 84 1,700 1,750 139 147 5.8
Indiana .........: 176 191 1,825 1,865 321 356 10.9
Iowa ............: 216 219 1,980 2,000 428 438 2.3
Kansas ..........: 165 173 1,920 1,940 317 336 6.0
:
Michigan ........: 427 433 2,125 2,170 907 940 3.6
Minnesota .......: 446 448 1,770 1,830 789 820 3.9
New Mexico ......: 330 332 1,970 2,005 650 666 2.5
New York ........: 626 626 1,940 1,980 1,214 1,239 2.1
Ohio ............: 252 257 1,730 1,780 436 457 4.8
Oregon ..........: 127 125 1,645 1,650 209 206 -1.4
Pennsylvania ....: 485 482 1,665 1,690 808 815 0.9
South Dakota ....: 127 140 1,825 1,880 232 263 13.4
Texas ...........: 575 608 1,955 2,030 1,124 1,234 9.8
Utah ............: 97 95 1,860 1,880 180 179 -0.6
:
Vermont .........: 124 120 1,725 1,725 214 207 -3.3
Virginia ........: 74 74 1,610 1,630 119 121 1.7
Washington ......: 281 279 1,930 1,935 542 540 -0.4
Wisconsin .......: 1,264 1,259 1,915 1,975 2,421 2,487 2.7
:
24-State Total ..: 8,817 8,899 1,894 1,935 16,699 17,224 3.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: October 2019 and 2020
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
: 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : 2019 : 2020 : from
: : : : : : : 2019
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
Arizona .......: 197 196 1,985 1,960 391 384 -1.8
California ....: 1,725 1,720 1,940 1,965 3,347 3,380 1.0
Colorado ......: 190 201 2,160 2,185 410 439 7.1
Florida .......: 118 112 1,515 1,525 179 171 -4.5
Georgia .......: 81 81 1,715 1,740 139 141 1.4
Idaho .........: 632 645 2,095 2,100 1,324 1,355 2.3
Illinois ......: 81 84 1,690 1,740 137 146 6.6
Indiana .......: 176 191 1,920 1,960 338 374 10.7
Iowa ..........: 217 219 2,040 2,065 443 452 2.0
Kansas ........: 164 172 1,975 1,985 324 341 5.2
:
Michigan ......: 428 431 2,230 2,270 954 978 2.5
Minnesota .....: 447 446 1,845 1,920 825 856 3.8
New Mexico ....: 330 332 2,040 2,065 673 686 1.9
New York ......: 626 626 2,015 2,035 1,261 1,274 1.0
Ohio ..........: 252 256 1,790 1,850 451 474 5.1
Oregon ........: 126 124 1,745 1,740 220 216 -1.8
Pennsylvania ..: 485 482 1,705 1,760 827 848 2.5
South Dakota ..: 127 140 1,900 1,955 241 274 13.7
Texas .........: 575 603 2,035 2,100 1,170 1,266 8.2
Utah ..........: 97 95 1,945 1,950 189 185 -2.1
:
Vermont .......: 125 120 1,790 1,765 224 212 -5.4
Virginia ......: 74 74 1,620 1,660 120 123 2.5
Washington ....: 281 279 2,025 2,035 569 568 -0.2
Wisconsin .....: 1,265 1,257 2,010 2,055 2,543 2,583 1.6
:
24-State Total : 8,819 8,886 1,962 1,995 17,299 17,726 2.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
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 such as Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) Dairy Market News. Indications of milk cow inventory are also
obtained in the January Cattle Survey.
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 in the table
below. 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 the 24 State milk production
estimates over the past 24 months is 0.3 percent. This means that chances are
2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current
estimate of 17.2 billion pounds by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out
of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.5 percent.
Reliability of Monthly Milk Production Estimates
[Based on data for the past 24 months]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate
: square error : confidence : : : : :
: : level :-------------------------------------------------------------
Item : : : : : : Months
: : : : : :-------------------------------
: : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent percent -------- 1,000 -------- ----- number -----
:
:
Milk production ..............: 0.3 0.5 36 0 115 14 9
:
All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.1 6 0 16 17 5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Holly Brenize - Sheep and Goats .............. (202) 720-0585
Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed .......... (202) 720-3040
Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278
Suzanne Richards - Dairy Products ............ (202) 720-4448
Seth Riggins - Hogs and Pigs ................. (202) 720-3106
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program.intake@usda.gov.Milk Production