U.S. milk production fell about 1% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary November Milk Production report, released Dec. 19.
November 2023-24 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for November 2024 compared to November 2023:
- U.S. milk production: 17.875 billion pounds, down 1%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.365 million, up 20,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 1,909 pounds, down 23 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 17.176 billion pounds, down 0.8%
- 24-state cow numbers: 8.923 million, up 32,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 1,925 pounds, down 22 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Dec. 19, 2024
Cow numbers higher
November 2024 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.365 million head, up 20,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where November 2024 cow numbers were estimated at 8.923 million, also up 32,000 head from October 2023 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, eight states had more cows than November one year ago; 12 states had fewer cows. Texas and South Dakota led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 53,000 head in November. That was offset by a combined 30,000-head reduction in New Mexico, Minnesota and Arizona.
Milk output per cow lower
The national average in monthly milk output per cow decreased in November 2024 and was down 23 pounds from November 2023. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also down 22 pounds from the same month a year earlier.
Affected by regional weather factors, variations in feed costs and income margins, the difference in output per cow among those states was wide (Table 2).
Georgia alone showed per-cow output increased 135 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California declined by 175 pounds.
Milk production lower
The preliminary estimate of overall November 2024 milk production was lower than the same month a year earlier.
Twelve states boosted production a combined 235 million pounds; 10 states reduced production a combined 370 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 97 million pounds), Idaho (up 28 million pounds) and South Dakota (up 27 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 301 million pounds), New Mexico (down 27 million pounds) and Arizona (down 16 million pounds).
Texas was the milk percentage growth leader for November 2024, up 7.31% from November 2023, with South Dakota following at 7.18%. November 2024 production was down 9.24% from a year earlier in California, 5.43% in New Mexico and 4.1% in Arizona.
