U.S. milk production fell about 0.5% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary December Milk Production report, released Jan. 24.

Schmitz audrey
Editor / Progressive Dairy

December 2023-24 dairy recap at a glance

Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for December 2024 compared to December 2023:

  • U.S. milk production: 18.747 billion pounds, down 0.5%
  • U.S. cow numbers: 9.351 million, up 3,000 head
  • U.S. average milk per cow: 2,005 pounds, down 10 pounds
  • 24-state milk production: 17.996 billion pounds, down 0.4%
  • 24-state cow numbers: 8.911 million, up 17,000 head
  • 24-state average milk per cow: 2,020 pounds, down 11 pounds

Source: USDA Milk Production report, Jan. 24, 2024

Cow numbers higher

December 2024 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.351 million head, up 3,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where December 2024 cow numbers were estimated at 8.911 million, also up 17,000 head from December 2023 (Table 1).

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Compared to a year earlier, eight states had more cows than December one year ago; 13 states had fewer cows. Texas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 57,000 head in December. That was offset by a combined 30,000-head reduction in New Mexico, Minnesota and Arizona.

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Milk output per cow lower

The national average in monthly milk output per cow decreased in December 2024 and was down 10 pounds from December 2023. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also down 11 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).

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Georgia alone showed per-cow output increased 110 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California declined by 135 pounds.

Milk production lower

The preliminary estimate of overall December 2024 milk production was lower than the same month a year earlier.

Twelve states boosted production a combined 252 million pounds; 11 states reduced production a combined 317 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 104 million pounds), Idaho (up 48 million pounds) and South Dakota (up 25 million pounds).

The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 233 million pounds), Arizona (down 21 million pounds), New Mexico (down 17 million pounds) and Oregon (down 17 million pounds).

Texas was the milk percentage growth leader for December 2024, up 7.55% from December 2023, with South Dakota following at 6.38%. December 2024 production was down 8.21% from a year earlier in Oregon, 6.76% in California and 5.06% in Arizona.