Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released May 19, 2017, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). April Milk Production up 2.0 Percent Milk production in the 23 major States during April totaled 17.2 billion pounds, up 2.0 percent from April 2016. March revised production, at 17.6 billion pounds, was up 1.9 percent from March 2016. The March revision represented an increase of 30 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,967 pounds for April, 20 pounds above April 2016. This is the highest production per cow for the month of April since the 23 State series began in 2003. The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.72 million head, 81,000 head more than April 2016, and 8,000 head more than March 2017. April Milk Production in the United States up 2.0 Percent Milk production in the United States during April totaled 18.3 billion pounds, up 2.0 percent from April 2016. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,949 pounds for April, 24 pounds above April 2016. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.39 million head, 69,000 head more than April 2016, and 8,000 head more than March 2017. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2016-2017 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :--------------------------------------------------------------------- Quarter : : : : : : : Change : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : from : : : : : : : 2016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,312 9,370 5,691 5,717 52,998 53,570 1.1 April-June ......: 9,323 5,828 54,331 July-September ..: 9,331 5,636 52,590 October-December : 9,344 5,620 52,517 : Annual ..........: 9,328 22,774 212,436 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production By Month - 23 Selected States: 2016-2017 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows1/ : Milk per cow2/ : Milk production2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : from : : : : : : : 2016 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,621 8,691 1,920 1,955 16,553 16,995 2.7 February ......: 8,628 8,694 1,833 1,797 15,817 15,627 -1.2 March .........: 8,637 8,711 1,994 2,015 17,222 17,554 1.9 April .........: 8,638 8,719 1,947 1,967 16,817 17,153 2.0 May ...........: 8,641 2,019 17,442 June ..........: 8,648 1,926 16,654 July ..........: 8,658 1,948 16,863 August ........: 8,666 1,922 16,659 September .....: 8,664 1,845 15,989 October .......: 8,668 1,904 16,503 November ......: 8,675 1,852 16,066 December ......: 8,683 1,932 16,777 : Annual ........: 8,652 23,042 199,362 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production By Month - United States: 2016-2017 [Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows1/ : Milk per cow2/ : Milk production2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : from : : : : : : : 2016 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,304 9,362 1,902 1,938 17,693 18,145 2.6 February ......: 9,311 9,365 1,815 1,782 16,904 16,685 -1.3 March .........: 9,321 9,382 1,974 1,997 18,401 18,740 1.8 April .........: 9,321 9,390 1,925 1,949 17,947 18,305 2.0 May ...........: 9,322 1,997 18,613 June ..........: 9,326 1,906 17,771 July ..........: 9,329 1,920 17,908 August ........: 9,334 1,895 17,692 September .....: 9,331 1,821 16,990 October .......: 9,335 1,882 17,565 November ......: 9,344 1,830 17,100 December ......: 9,354 1,908 17,852 : Annual ........: 9,328 22,774 212,436 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: April 2016 and 2017 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : from : : : : : : : 2016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 197 201 2,160 2,200 426 442 3.8 California ......: 1,766 1,755 1,970 1,960 3,479 3,440 -1.1 Colorado ........: 149 159 2,155 2,165 321 344 7.2 Florida .........: 124 125 1,855 1,865 230 233 1.3 Idaho ...........: 591 596 2,025 1,995 1,197 1,189 -0.7 Illinois ........: 94 93 1,780 1,790 167 166 -0.6 Indiana .........: 184 186 1,920 1,955 353 364 3.1 Iowa ............: 212 217 1,990 1,990 422 432 2.4 Kansas ..........: 144 153 1,940 1,955 279 299 7.2 Michigan ........: 417 425 2,165 2,215 903 941 4.2 : Minnesota .......: 460 459 1,760 1,800 810 826 2.0 New Mexico ......: 311 328 2,110 2,150 656 705 7.5 New York ........: 620 623 1,965 2,030 1,218 1,265 3.9 Ohio ............: 266 262 1,770 1,810 471 474 0.6 Oregon ..........: 126 124 1,760 1,720 222 213 -4.1 Pennsylvania ....: 530 525 1,745 1,805 925 948 2.5 South Dakota ....: 114 117 1,840 1,860 210 218 3.8 Texas ...........: 465 510 1,955 2,010 909 1,025 12.8 Utah ............: 92 92 1,885 1,925 173 177 2.3 Vermont .........: 131 129 1,740 1,785 228 230 0.9 : Virginia ........: 90 87 1,665 1,755 150 153 2.0 Washington ......: 276 273 2,010 1,980 555 541 -2.5 Wisconsin .......: 1,279 1,280 1,965 1,975 2,513 2,528 0.6 : 23-State Total ..: 8,638 8,719 1,947 1,967 16,817 17,153 2.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: March 2016 and 2017 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows1/ : Milk per cow2/ : Milk production 2/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : 2016 : 2017 : from : : : : : : : 2016 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 197 201 2,260 2,300 445 462 3.8 California ....: 1,767 1,755 2,040 1,995 3,605 3,501 -2.9 Colorado ......: 149 158 2,210 2,235 329 353 7.3 Florida .......: 125 124 1,895 1,925 237 239 0.8 Idaho .........: 591 596 2,075 2,025 1,226 1,207 -1.5 Illinois ......: 94 93 1,830 1,860 172 173 0.6 Indiana .......: 184 186 1,960 1,980 361 368 1.9 Iowa ..........: 212 216 2,045 2,045 434 442 1.8 Kansas ........: 144 153 1,990 2,030 287 311 8.4 Michigan ......: 416 425 2,220 2,265 924 963 4.2 : Minnesota .....: 460 459 1,810 1,855 833 851 2.2 New Mexico ....: 311 327 2,140 2,220 666 726 9.0 New York ......: 620 622 1,995 2,060 1,237 1,281 3.6 Ohio ..........: 266 262 1,790 1,855 476 486 2.1 Oregon ........: 126 124 1,800 1,750 227 217 -4.4 Pennsylvania ..: 530 525 1,770 1,840 938 966 3.0 South Dakota ..: 114 117 1,890 1,915 215 224 4.2 Texas .........: 460 507 1,990 2,100 915 1,065 16.4 Utah ..........: 92 92 1,915 1,945 176 179 1.7 Vermont .......: 131 129 1,780 1,820 233 235 0.9 : Virginia ......: 91 87 1,695 1,795 154 156 1.3 Washington ....: 277 273 2,065 2,020 572 551 -3.7 Wisconsin .....: 1,280 1,280 2,000 2,030 2,560 2,598 1.5 : 23-State Total : 8,637 8,711 1,994 2,015 17,222 17,554 1.9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Primary data used to determine these estimates were obtained from a sample of producers. Individual States maintain a list of all known milk producers and information on the size of their herd. States use all known sources of producers to ensure that their lists are as complete as possible. Generally, all large producers and a sample of small producers are included in the survey. Questionnaires are mailed to producers near the end of the month to obtain data for the first day of the month. Additional reports are obtained by telephone, as needed, to supplement the mail response. Where feasible, States utilize state and federal administrative data to estimate milk production. This eliminates duplication of data gathering by different government agencies. Indications of milk cow inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Survey. Estimation Procedures: State offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications, historic trends, and any available administrative data. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness. Revision Policy: Milk production, milk per cow, and number of milk cows are subject to revision the following month after initial publication for monthly States or the following quarter for the quarterly States. Normally, administrative data from Federal Market Orders, State Departments of Agriculture, or other sources are the main basis for revisions. However, administrative data for all States may not be available in time for these revisions. Estimates are again subject to revisions in February each year based on additional administrative data. In the event that additional changes are necessary, a third revision is possible in February the following year. Estimates are again reviewed after data from the five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions are made after that date. Reliability: Since all operations with dairy animals are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the table below. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for the 23 State milk production estimates over the past 24 months is 0.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 17.2 billion pounds by more than 0.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.3 percent. Reliability of Monthly Milk Production Estimates [Based on data for the past 24 months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent -------- 1,000 ------- ----- number ----- : : Milk production ..............: 0.2 0.3 19 1 70 14 10 : All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.1 4 0 10 9 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov. Vacant, Chief, Livestock Branch ................. (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240 David Colwell - Sheep and Goats .............. (202) 720-8784 Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236 Michael Klamm - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ....... (202) 720-3040 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Seth Riggins - Hogs and Pigs ................. (202) 720-3106 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. 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