More cows and stronger milk per cow pushed U.S. milk production higher in September 2020, up 2.3% from a year earlier, according to the USDA’s preliminary monthly Milk Production report, released Oct. 20.
Natzke dave
Dave Natzke
Editor / Progressive Dairy

With September’s estimates, quarterly (July-September 2020) U.S. milk production was estimated at 55.3 billion pounds, up 2% from the same quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the U.S. during the quarter was 9.36 million head, 1,000 head less than the April-June 2020 quarter, but 39,000 head more than July-September last year.

September 2019-20 recap at a glance

Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for September 2020 compared to September 2019:

  • U.S. milk production: 18 billion pounds, up 2.3%
  • U.S. cow numbers: 9.366 million, up 33,000 head
  • U.S. average milk per cow per month: 1,923 pounds, up 38 pounds
  • 24-state milk production: 17.21 billion pounds, up 2.4%
  • 24-state cow numbers: 8.851 million, up 46,000 head
  • 24-state average milk per cow per month: 1,944 pounds, up 36 pounds

Source: USDA Milk Production report, Oct. 20, 2020

Cow numbers increase again

The U.S. dairy herd grew for a third straight month, with cow numbers up 5,000 head from August and 33,000 head from September 2019. In the 24 major dairy states, cow numbers were up 6,000 head from August’s revised estimate – they’re now up 11,000 from July – and 46,000 more than September 2019.

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Compared to a year earlier (Table 1), September cow numbers were reported higher in eight states and lower in 13 states, with three others unchanged. Cow numbers were up a combined 76,000 in Texas, Idaho, South Dakota, Colorado and Indiana, but down 29,000 head, collectively, in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida, Vermont and California.

102020 natzke cow numbers

Milk per cow grows

Growth in U.S. and major dairy state average milk output per cow moved more than a pound per day higher compared to a year ago (Table 2).

102020 natzke milk pounds

Minnesota again led all states in increased milk output per cow compared to a year earlier at 70 pounds, followed by California and Ohio at 60 pounds. Year-over-year output per cow was lower in just five states: Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Vermont.

Michigan remained the nation’s leader, averaging 2,220 pounds of milk per cow in September 2020.

Volume, percentage growth

California led the 16 states with year-over-year milk volume growth in September, up 104 million pounds (3.2%), while Texas was up 74 million pounds (6.5%).

California, Texas, Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota and Indiana combined to increase milk output by 304 million pounds. In contrast, September 2020 milk production was lower than a year earlier in eight states, with Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington down a combined 38 million pounds.

On a percentage basis, growth in South Dakota continued at a double-digit pace in September, up 12.3% compared with a year earlier. Indiana and Colorado output was up 9% and 8%, respectively. Vermont (-5.5%) and Florida (-3.7%) led decliners.  end mark

Dave Natzke