Milk Production
ISSN: 1949-1557
Released September 19, 2011, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
August Milk Production up 2.2 Percent
Milk production in the 23 major States during August totaled 15.3 billion
pounds, up 2.2 percent from August 2010. July revised production at 15.4
billion pounds, was up 0.5 percent from July 2010. The July revision
represented a decrease of 45 million pounds or 0.3 percent from last month's
preliminary production estimate.
Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,810 pounds for August,
18 pounds above August 2010.
The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.47 million
head, 102,000 head more than August 2010, and 3,000 head more than July 2011.
Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2010-2011
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter : : : : : : : Change
: 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : from
: : : : : : : 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: -- 1,000 head -- ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent
:
January-March ...: 9,093 9,165 5,212 5,283 47,392 48,421 2.2
April-June ......: 9,119 9,198 5,462 5,483 49,809 50,434 1.3
July-September ..: 9,126 5,267 48,070
October-December : 9,130 5,208 47,548
:
Annual ..........: 9,117 21,149 192,819
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows; excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production by Month - 23 Selected States: 2010-2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:---------------------------------------------------------------------
Month : : : : : : : Change
: 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : from
: : : : : : : 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent
:
January ..: 8,319 8,404 1,784 1,810 14,839 15,213 2.5
February .: 8,323 8,405 1,642 1,664 13,670 13,987 2.3
March ....: 8,329 8,426 1,848 1,870 15,389 15,757 2.4
April ....: 8,337 8,435 1,825 1,834 15,213 15,471 1.7
May ......: 8,347 8,451 1,893 1,901 15,804 16,063 1.6
June .....: 8,356 8,460 1,817 1,819 15,186 15,389 1.3
July .....: 8,375 8,468 1,829 1,819 15,316 15,400 0.5
August ...: 8,369 8,471 1,792 1,810 14,998 15,330 2.2
September : 8,371 1,730 14,481
October ..: 8,372 1,767 14,796
November .: 8,373 1,722 14,421
December .: 8,387 1,791 15,025
:
Annual ...: 8,355 21,440 179,138
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows; excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2010-2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:---------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
Month : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : from
: : : : : : : 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent
:
January ..: 9,089 9,158 1,763 1,789 16,020 16,385 2.3
February .: 9,092 9,158 1,623 1,645 14,758 15,065 2.1
March ....: 9,099 9,178 1,826 1,849 16,614 16,971 2.1
April ....: 9,108 9,185 1,802 1,812 16,416 16,645 1.4
May ......: 9,119 9,200 1,869 1,877 17,040 17,266 1.3
June .....: 9,129 9,208 1,791 1,794 16,353 16,523 1.0
July .....: 9,135 9,215 1,799 1,791 16,436 16,508 0.4
August ...: 9,123 9,217 1,764 1,783 16,094 16,432 2.1
September : 9,121 1,704 15,540
October ..: 9,123 1,743 15,900
November .: 9,125 1,698 15,498
December .: 9,141 1,767 16,150
:
Annual ...: 9,117 21,149 192,819
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows; excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: August 2010 and 2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:----------------------------------------------------------------------
State : : : : : : : Change
: 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : from
: : : : : : : 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head ---- pounds --- million pounds percent
:
Arizona .......: 180 187 1,765 1,810 318 338 6.3
California ....: 1,753 1,777 1,940 1,970 3,401 3,501 2.9
Colorado ......: 120 129 2,025 2,000 243 258 6.2
Florida .......: 114 119 1,335 1,400 152 167 9.9
Idaho .........: 571 582 2,000 2,040 1,142 1,187 3.9
Illinois ......: 99 98 1,495 1,540 148 151 2.0
Indiana .......: 169 171 1,645 1,680 278 287 3.2
Iowa ..........: 207 199 1,700 1,760 352 350 -0.6
Kansas ........: 120 124 1,725 1,750 207 217 4.8
Michigan ......: 359 368 1,955 1,955 702 719 2.4
:
Minnesota .....: 470 471 1,595 1,520 750 716 -4.5
Missouri ......: 99 96 1,150 1,090 114 105 -7.9
New Mexico ....: 318 330 2,040 2,065 649 681 4.9
New York ......: 611 610 1,790 1,785 1,094 1,089 -0.5
Ohio ..........: 270 266 1,610 1,590 435 423 -2.8
Oregon ........: 121 123 1,730 1,765 209 217 3.8
Pennsylvania ..: 541 539 1,670 1,640 903 884 -2.1
Texas .........: 415 435 1,695 1,795 703 781 11.1
Utah ..........: 85 88 1,830 1,820 156 160 2.6
Vermont .......: 137 134 1,570 1,580 215 212 -1.4
:
Virginia ......: 95 96 1,475 1,450 140 139 -0.7
Washington ....: 252 265 2,015 2,045 508 542 6.7
Wisconsin .....: 1,263 1,264 1,725 1,745 2,179 2,206 1.2
:
23-State Total : 8,369 8,471 1,792 1,810 14,998 15,330 2.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows; excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: July 2010 and 2011
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------
State : : : : : : : Change
: 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : 2010 : 2011 : from
: : : : : : : 2010
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: -- 1,000 head -- ---- pounds --- million pounds percent
:
Arizona .......: 179 186 1,870 1,885 335 351 4.8
California ....: 1,753 1,776 1,940 1,990 3,401 3,534 3.9
Colorado ......: 119 128 2,050 2,010 244 257 5.3
Florida .......: 115 119 1,530 1,520 176 181 2.8
Idaho .........: 569 582 2,000 2,050 1,138 1,193 4.8
Illinois ......: 101 98 1,575 1,540 159 151 -5.0
Indiana .......: 169 170 1,730 1,695 292 288 -1.4
Iowa ..........: 209 200 1,760 1,720 368 344 -6.5
Kansas ........: 120 124 1,760 1,765 211 219 3.8
Michigan ......: 359 367 2,020 1,945 725 714 -1.5
:
Minnesota .....: 470 471 1,675 1,535 787 723 -8.1
Missouri ......: 100 96 1,190 1,110 119 107 -10.1
New Mexico ....: 324 330 2,095 2,105 679 695 2.4
New York ......: 611 610 1,790 1,790 1,094 1,092 -0.2
Ohio ..........: 270 266 1,640 1,580 443 420 -5.2
Oregon ........: 120 123 1,730 1,790 208 220 5.8
Pennsylvania ..: 541 540 1,680 1,630 909 880 -3.2
Texas .........: 415 435 1,775 1,835 737 798 8.3
Utah ..........: 85 88 1,860 1,840 158 162 2.5
Vermont .......: 136 134 1,550 1,600 211 214 1.4
:
Virginia ......: 95 96 1,505 1,440 143 138 -3.5
Washington ....: 252 265 2,030 2,055 512 545 6.4
Wisconsin .....: 1,263 1,264 1,795 1,720 2,267 2,174 -4.1
:
23-State Total : 8,375 8,468 1,829 1,819 15,316 15,400 0.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, rather than conduct a monthly survey, 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 and July
Cattle Surveys.
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, rate per cow, and number of cows are
subject to revision the following month for monthly States or the following
quarter for the quarterly States. Normally, Federal Market Order sales are
the main basis for revisions. However, data for all orders are not available
in time for this revision. 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 on the next
page. 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 cow inventory
estimates over the past 24 months is 0.1 percent. This means that chances are
2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current
estimate of 8.47 million head by more than 0.1 percent. Chances are 9 out of
10 that the difference will not exceed 0.1 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 20 0 63 15 8
:
All milk cows ................: 0.1 0.1 4 0 15 18 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424
Travis Averill - Dairy Products Prices ....... (202) 690-2168
Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (515) 284-4340
Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106
Jason Hardegree - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ..... (202) 720-3040
Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278
Everett Olbert - Sheep and Goats ............. (202) 720-4751
Lorie Warren - Dairy Products ................ (202) 690-3236
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: http://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
http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Receive NASS Updates" box under
"Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select
the reports you would like to receive.
Printed reports may be purchased from the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS) by calling toll-free (800) 999-6779, or
(703) 605-6220 if calling from outside the United States or Canada.
Accepted methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money
order.
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@nass.usda.gov.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial
status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs,
genetic information, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's
income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited
bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600
(voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400
Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call
toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-
8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA
is an equal opportunity provider and employer.