October 2021-22 recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for October 2022 compared to October 2021:
- U.S. milk production: 18.85 billion pounds, up 1.2%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.418 million, up 31,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,001 pounds, up 17 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.055 billion pounds, up 1.4%
- 24-state cow numbers: 8.934 million, up 42,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,021 pounds, up 18 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Nov. 21, 2022
October 2022 U.S. milk production was up about 1.2% from a year ago, with continued slow growth in cow numbers and a small increase in milk output per cow contributing to higher overall production.
Cow numbers growing
Preliminary October 2022 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.418 million head, up 31,000 from a year ago and 1,000 more than September 2022. It’s the highest number of cows in U.S. herds since May. The USDA also revised the September 2022 estimate up 6,000 from the previous month’s preliminary estimate.
Among the 24 major dairy states (Table 1), October 2022 cow numbers were estimated at 8.934 million, up 42,000 from October 2021 and also 1,000 more than September 2022. It’s the highest number of cows in those states since August 2021. The USDA also revised the preliminary September 2022 up by 5,000 head.
Texas led all states in year-over-year growth in October 2022, up 30,000 head from a year ago, followed by South Dakota, (+24,000), Iowa (+14,000) and Georgia and Idaho (each +10,000).
Compared to a year earlier, cow number declines were again heaviest in New Mexico and Florida, down 14,000 and 11,000 head, respectively.
Milk per cow growth small
The year-over-year increase in average milk production per cow was small, up barely one-half pound per day across the U.S. (Table 2). Year-over-year milk per cow increased in 15 states, led by Vermont. Florida and California led decliners in output per cow compared to the same month a year earlier.
Milk production increases
With cow numbers and milk output per cow up slightly, October 2022 overall milk production was up 1.2% in the U.S. and 1.4% among major dairy states compared to a year earlier.
October 2022 year-over-year milk production was up in 14 states. Texas led all states in terms of volume growth, up 92 million pounds, followed by South Dakota (+45 million) and Idaho (+44 million). Six states posted declines, with California, Florida and New Mexico down a combined 64 million pounds.
South Dakota and Georgia again led all states in year-over-year percentage milk growth, both up about 14%. Florida milk production was down about 13%.
