Monthly U.S. milk production was higher than the same month a year ago for the first time in June 2022, as cow numbers begin to pick up.
June 2021-22 recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for June 2022 compared to June 2021:
- U.S. milk production: 18.98 billion pounds, up 0.2%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.423 million, down 78,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,014 pounds, up 20 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.13 billion pounds, up 0.3%
- 24-state cow numbers: 8.926 million, down 65,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,031 pounds, up 20 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, July 21, 2022
Cow numbers growing
Preliminary June 2022 U.S. cow numbers were up 4,000 head from the revised May estimate, which was raised 14,000 from last month’s preliminary report. Cow number are now up 55,000 head from January but still down about 84,000 head from the peak in May 2021.
Among the 24 major dairy states, June cow numbers were up 4,000 from the revised May estimate, which was raised 10,000 from last month’s preliminary report. Since January, cow numbers increased by 51,000 head but remain 70,000 fewer than the May 2021 peak.
Compared to a year earlier (Table 1), June 2022 cow numbers were reported higher in eight states and lower in 15 states, with Arizona unchanged.
Texas led all states in year-over-year growth, up 24,000 head from June 2021, followed by South Dakota, up 21,000 head, and Georgia, up 10,000 head. Compared to a year earlier, cow number declines were again heaviest in New Mexico, down 37,000 head. Combined with New Mexico, Michigan, Washington, Minnesota and Florida dropped 87,000 cows from the year before.
Compared to a month earlier, Texas cow numbers increased by 5,000 head in June, with New Mexico down 3,000 head.
Dairy cull cow marketing slower
Dairy cull cow slaughter continues at a slower pace than a year ago. Through June, monthly slaughter in federally inspected plants totaled 1.52 million head, about 42,500 head fewer than the same period a year earlier.
Milk per cow up a little
Growth in milk production per cow continues to be slow, with the U.S. and major dairy states monthly milk output up 20 pounds from year-ago June levels (Table 2).
Year-over-year milk per cow increased in 17 states, led by Michigan and Texas, each up about 2 pounds per day. Lower output per cow occurred in New Mexico and Arizona.
Milk volume, percentage
Despite lower cow numbers and slow growth in milk output per cow, overall milk production was up slightly in the U.S. and among major dairy states compared to a year earlier.
June 2022 year-over-year milk production was down in 14 states, led by a combined decline of 143 million pounds in New Mexico, Washington, Florida, Indiana and Michigan. That was more than offset by a combined 172 million-pound increase in Texas, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
In shuffling among the 24 major dairy states, Georgia again surpassed Florida in total milk production for a third consecutive month, while Idaho stayed above Texas for the second month since last September.
On a percentage basis, New Mexico and Florida milk production was down 12.3% and 7.5%, respectively, compared to June 2021.
Texas led all states in year-over-year milk volume growth, up 89 million pounds (6.9%). South Dakota led all states in year-over-year percentage milk growth, up 14.7% (44 million pounds). Georgia output was up 12% (18 million pounds).
