Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released August 22, 2022, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). July Milk Production up 0.3 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during July totaled 18.3 billion pounds, up 0.3 percent from July 2021. June revised production, at 18.1 billion pounds, was up slightly from June 2021. The June revision represented a decrease of 45 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,055 pounds for July, 21 pounds above July 2021. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.92 million head, 66,000 head less than July 2021, but 1,000 head more than June 2022. July Milk Production in the United States up 0.2 Percent Milk production in the United States during July totaled 19.1 billion pounds, up 0.2 percent from July 2021. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,033 pounds for July, 19 pounds above July 2021. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.42 million head, 67,000 head less than July 2021, but 1,000 head more than June 2022. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2021-2022 [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 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,466 9,384 6,005 6,000 56,847 56,305 -1.0 April-June ......: 9,503 9,413 6,119 6,144 58,147 57,838 -0.5 July-September ..: 9,442 5,914 55,836 October-December : 9,381 5,909 55,428 : Annual ..........: 9,448 23,948 226,258 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2021-2022 [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/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,938 8,874 2,067 2,051 18,477 18,198 -1.5 February ......: 8,954 8,887 1,884 1,885 16,871 16,755 -0.7 March .........: 8,970 8,909 2,106 2,114 18,888 18,835 -0.3 April .........: 8,987 8,910 2,055 2,053 18,467 18,296 -0.9 May ...........: 8,996 8,922 2,106 2,116 18,949 18,878 -0.4 June ..........: 8,991 8,916 2,011 2,028 18,078 18,083 (Z) July ..........: 8,983 8,917 2,034 2,055 18,272 18,326 0.3 August ........: 8,939 2,004 17,910 September .....: 8,909 1,935 17,239 October .......: 8,892 2,003 17,812 November ......: 8,888 1,939 17,232 December ......: 8,880 2,024 17,971 : Annual ........: 8,944 24,169 216,166 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Z) Less than half of the unit shown. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2021-2022 [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/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,450 9,367 2,049 2,034 19,365 19,050 -1.6 February ......: 9,466 9,380 1,868 1,870 17,685 17,540 -0.8 March .........: 9,482 9,404 2,088 2,096 19,797 19,715 -0.4 April .........: 9,500 9,405 2,037 2,036 19,350 19,153 -1.0 May ...........: 9,507 9,419 2,088 2,097 19,855 19,755 -0.5 June ..........: 9,501 9,415 1,994 2,011 18,942 18,930 -0.1 July ..........: 9,483 9,416 2,014 2,033 19,097 19,140 0.2 August ........: 9,438 1,984 18,721 September .....: 9,405 1,916 18,018 October .......: 9,387 1,984 18,623 November ......: 9,382 1,920 18,015 December ......: 9,373 2,005 18,790 : Annual ........: 9,448 23,948 226,258 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: July 2021 and 2022 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 198 199 1,905 1,905 377 379 0.5 California ......: 1,719 1,723 2,000 2,040 3,438 3,515 2.2 Colorado ........: 203 207 2,225 2,225 452 461 2.0 Florida .........: 108 96 1,620 1,615 175 155 -11.4 Georgia .........: 82 92 1,780 1,780 146 164 12.3 Idaho ...........: 654 656 2,190 2,215 1,432 1,453 1.5 Illinois ........: 83 80 1,770 1,780 147 142 -3.4 Indiana .........: 197 185 1,970 1,980 388 366 -5.7 Iowa ............: 228 234 2,065 2,075 471 486 3.2 Kansas ..........: 172 174 2,005 2,000 345 348 0.9 : Michigan ........: 445 426 2,320 2,330 1,032 993 -3.8 Minnesota .......: 462 450 1,945 1,975 899 889 -1.1 New Mexico ......: 321 289 2,000 2,040 642 590 -8.1 New York ........: 630 623 2,120 2,145 1,336 1,336 - Ohio ............: 260 249 1,870 1,875 486 467 -3.9 Oregon ..........: 125 126 1,800 1,800 225 227 0.9 Pennsylvania ....: 475 467 1,795 1,810 853 845 -0.9 South Dakota ....: 159 179 1,970 1,980 313 354 13.1 Texas ...........: 625 650 2,085 2,125 1,303 1,381 6.0 Utah ............: 97 94 2,000 1,995 194 188 -3.1 : Vermont .........: 120 117 1,825 1,835 219 215 -1.8 Virginia ........: 73 69 1,650 1,675 120 116 -3.3 Washington ......: 269 260 2,045 2,055 550 534 -2.9 Wisconsin .......: 1,278 1,272 2,135 2,140 2,729 2,722 -0.3 : 24-State Total ..: 8,983 8,917 2,034 2,055 18,272 18,326 0.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: June 2021 and 2022 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : 2021 : 2022 : from : : : : : : : 2021 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 200 199 2,025 2,015 405 401 -1.0 California ....: 1,719 1,722 2,010 2,015 3,455 3,470 0.4 Colorado ......: 203 207 2,145 2,155 435 446 2.5 Florida .......: 110 96 1,690 1,690 186 162 -12.9 Georgia .......: 82 92 1,830 1,805 150 166 10.7 Idaho .........: 654 655 2,130 2,145 1,393 1,405 0.9 Illinois ......: 83 80 1,800 1,790 149 143 -4.0 Indiana .......: 197 185 2,000 2,000 394 370 -6.1 Iowa ..........: 228 234 2,025 2,050 462 480 3.9 Kansas ........: 173 174 1,920 1,970 332 343 3.3 : Michigan ......: 445 427 2,270 2,280 1,010 974 -3.6 Minnesota .....: 462 450 1,895 1,935 875 871 -0.5 New Mexico ....: 326 289 2,070 2,050 675 592 -12.3 New York ......: 630 623 2,085 2,105 1,314 1,311 -0.2 Ohio ..........: 260 249 1,840 1,840 478 458 -4.2 Oregon ........: 126 126 1,755 1,760 221 222 0.5 Pennsylvania ..: 475 467 1,780 1,800 846 841 -0.6 South Dakota ..: 157 179 1,910 1,940 300 347 15.7 Texas .........: 624 648 2,055 2,115 1,282 1,371 6.9 Utah ..........: 97 94 1,975 1,975 192 186 -3.1 : Vermont .......: 119 117 1,805 1,805 215 211 -1.9 Virginia ......: 73 70 1,655 1,660 121 116 -4.1 Washington ....: 273 261 2,010 2,015 549 526 -4.2 Wisconsin .....: 1,275 1,272 2,070 2,100 2,639 2,671 1.2 : 24-State Total : 8,991 8,916 2,011 2,028 18,078 18,083 (Z) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Z) Less than half of the unit shown. 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 such as Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Market News. Indications of milk cow inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Survey. Estimation Procedures: Regional Field 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 24 State milk production estimates over the past 24 months is 0.3 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 18.3 billion pounds by more than 0.3 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.6 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 ..............: 0.3 0.6 45 3 181 15 9 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.3 12 1 30 15 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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@usda.gov. Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch ......... (202) 692-0069 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 690-8632 Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed .......... (202) 720-3040 Anthony Fischer - Hogs and Pigs .............. (202) 720-3106 Logan Hartley-Sanguinett - Sheep and Goats ... (202) 690-3236 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Suzanne Richards - Dairy Products ............ (202) 720-4448 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. To set-up this free subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on "National" or "State" in upper right corner above "search" box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive. Cornell's Mann Library has launched a new website housing NASS's and other agency's archived reports. The new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. All email subscriptions containing reports will be sent from the new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. To continue receiving the reports via e-mail, you will have to go to the new website, create a new account and re-subscribe to the reports. If you need instructions to set up an account or subscribe, they are located at: https://usda.library.cornell.edu/help. You should whitelist notifications@usda-esmis.library.cornell.edu in your email client to avoid the emails going into spam/junk folders. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/filing-program-discrimination-complaint-usda-customer, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.