ISSN: 1949-1557
Released July 21, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
June Milk Production up 0.7 Percent
Milk production in the 23 major States during June totaled 16.4 billion
pounds, up 0.7 percent from June 2014. May revised production at 17.2 billion
pounds, was up 1.5 percent from May 2014. The May revision represented an
increase of 12 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary
production estimate.
Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,895 pounds for June, no
change from the record high of June 2014. The 23 State series began in 2003.
The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.63 million
head, 56,000 head more than June 2014, but 2,000 head fewer than May 2015.
April - June Milk Production up 1.4 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the April - June quarter totaled
53.6 billion pounds, up 1.4 percent from the April - June quarter last year.
The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was
9.32 million head, 14,000 head more than the January - March quarter, and
66,000 head more than the same period last year.
Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2014-2015
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
:---------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarter : : : : : : : Change
: 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : from
: : : : : : : 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 Head ---- Pounds ---- Million Pounds Percent
:
January-March ...: 9,216 9,305 5,536 5,583 51,020 51,949 1.8
April-June ......: 9,253 9,319 5,717 5,753 52,897 53,615 1.4
July-September ..: 9,270 5,520 51,173
October-December : 9,287 5,487 50,956
:
Annual ..........: 9,257 22,258 206,046
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production By Month - 23 Selected States: 2014-2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows1/ : Milk per cow2/ : Milk production2/
:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
Month : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : from
: : : : : : : 2014
:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
January .......: 8,516 8,620 1,901 1,919 16,186 16,544 2.2
February ......: 8,516 8,620 1,749 1,756 14,892 15,139 1.7
March .........: 8,530 8,622 1,957 1,961 16,690 16,907 1.3
April .........: 8,547 8,626 1,912 1,928 16,344 16,633 1.8
May ...........: 8,558 8,630 1,979 1,992 16,934 17,187 1.5
June ..........: 8,572 8,628 1,895 1,895 16,241 16,354 0.7
July ..........: 8,583 1,909 16,381
August ........: 8,585 1,885 16,184
September .....: 8,593 1,806 15,519
October .......: 8,594 1,864 16,017
November ......: 8,598 1,806 15,527
December ......: 8,611 1,888 16,256
:
Annual ........: 8,567 22,551 193,171
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Estimated Milk Cows and Production By Month - United States: 2014-2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows1/ : Milk per cow2/ : Milk production2/
:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
Month : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : from
: : : : : : : 2014
:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
January .......: 9,212 9,304 1,876 1,900 17,284 17,680 2.3
February ......: 9,212 9,304 1,727 1,740 15,907 16,189 1.8
March .........: 9,223 9,306 1,933 1,943 17,829 18,080 1.4
April .........: 9,240 9,315 1,892 1,911 17,480 17,800 1.8
May ...........: 9,252 9,324 1,956 1,970 18,094 18,370 1.5
June ..........: 9,267 9,317 1,869 1,872 17,323 17,445 0.7
July ..........: 9,268 1,881 17,435
August ........: 9,268 1,858 17,224
September .....: 9,274 1,781 16,514
October .......: 9,277 1,840 17,071
November ......: 9,284 1,783 16,551
December ......: 9,299 1,864 17,334
:
Annual ........: 9,257 22,258 206,046
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: June 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/
State :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
: 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : from
: : : : : : : 2014
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
Arizona .........: 193 195 2,065 2,085 399 407 2.0
California ......: 1,779 1,778 1,995 1,910 3,549 3,396 -4.3
Colorado ........: 145 145 2,105 2,160 305 313 2.6
Florida .........: 123 125 1,770 1,785 218 223 2.3
Idaho ...........: 577 586 2,065 2,055 1,192 1,204 1.0
Illinois ........: 94 94 1,640 1,680 154 158 2.6
Indiana .........: 178 181 1,840 1,860 328 337 2.7
Iowa ............: 207 212 1,860 1,910 385 405 5.2
Kansas ..........: 142 143 1,830 1,835 260 262 0.8
Michigan ........: 387 408 2,085 2,120 807 865 7.2
:
Minnesota .......: 460 460 1,645 1,715 757 789 4.2
New Mexico ......: 323 323 2,130 2,035 688 657 -4.5
New York ........: 615 618 1,885 1,930 1,159 1,193 2.9
Ohio ............: 266 266 1,720 1,710 458 455 -0.7
Oregon ..........: 125 123 1,735 1,705 217 210 -3.2
Pennsylvania ....: 530 530 1,665 1,715 882 909 3.1
South Dakota ....: 97 106 1,805 1,850 175 196 12.0
Texas ...........: 468 462 1,850 1,835 866 848 -2.1
Utah ............: 95 96 1,945 1,990 185 191 3.2
Vermont .........: 131 132 1,720 1,710 225 226 0.4
:
Virginia ........: 93 91 1,570 1,620 146 147 0.7
Washington ......: 274 276 2,050 2,030 562 560 -0.4
Wisconsin .......: 1,270 1,278 1,830 1,880 2,324 2,403 3.4
:
23-State Total ..: 8,572 8,628 1,895 1,895 16,241 16,354 0.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: May 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Milk cows1/ : Milk per cow2/ : Milk production 2/
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: : : : : : : Change
: 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : from
: : : : : : : 2014
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
:1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent
:
Arizona .......: 192 195 2,225 2,210 427 431 0.9
California ....: 1,779 1,778 2,110 2,055 3,754 3,654 -2.7
Colorado ......: 144 145 2,165 2,200 312 319 2.2
Florida .......: 123 125 1,885 1,920 232 240 3.4
Idaho .........: 574 586 2,090 2,105 1,200 1,234 2.8
Illinois ......: 94 95 1,765 1,790 166 170 2.4
Indiana .......: 177 181 1,935 1,935 342 350 2.3
Iowa ..........: 207 212 1,965 2,015 407 427 4.9
Kansas ........: 141 144 1,950 1,965 275 283 2.9
Michigan ......: 384 407 2,145 2,195 824 893 8.4
:
Minnesota .....: 460 460 1,715 1,795 789 826 4.7
New Mexico ....: 323 323 2,240 2,190 724 707 -2.3
New York ......: 615 618 1,935 1,990 1,190 1,230 3.4
Ohio ..........: 266 267 1,800 1,785 479 477 -0.4
Oregon ........: 125 123 1,825 1,790 228 220 -3.5
Pennsylvania ..: 530 530 1,760 1,815 933 962 3.1
South Dakota ..: 97 105 1,855 1,905 180 200 11.1
Texas .........: 465 462 1,990 1,975 925 912 -1.4
Utah ..........: 95 96 1,990 2,040 189 196 3.7
Vermont .......: 131 132 1,755 1,775 230 234 1.7
:
Virginia ......: 93 92 1,700 1,730 158 159 0.6
Washington ....: 274 276 2,110 2,090 578 577 -0.2
Wisconsin .....: 1,269 1,278 1,885 1,945 2,392 2,486 3.9
:
23-State Total : 8,558 8,630 1,979 1,992 16,934 17,187 1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - States and United States: Revised January - March 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: January - March milk cows1/ : January - March milk production2/
:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : : : : : Change
: : : : : from
: 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head million pounds million pounds percent
:
Alabama .......: 9.0 8.0 30.0 29.0 -3.3
Alaska ........: 0.3 0.3 0.8 0.9 12.5
Arizona .......: 192.0 195.0 1,202.0 1,238.0 3.0
Arkansas ......: 7.5 7.0 24.0 25.0 4.2
California ....: 1,781.0 1,779.0 10,835.0 10,513.0 -3.0
Colorado ......: 140.0 145.0 852.0 914.0 7.3
Connecticut ...: 19.0 19.0 96.0 98.0 2.1
Delaware ......: 4.7 4.9 24.5 25.5 4.1
Florida .......: 123.0 124.0 671.0 699.0 4.2
Georgia .......: 81.0 81.0 443.0 468.0 5.6
:
Hawaii ........: 2.3 2.2 7.4 8.3 12.2
Idaho .........: 568.0 581.0 3,324.0 3,390.0 2.0
Illinois ......: 95.0 95.0 471.0 482.0 2.3
Indiana .......: 177.0 181.0 944.0 994.0 5.3
Iowa ..........: 205.0 210.0 1,139.0 1,194.0 4.8
Kansas ........: 137.0 143.0 750.0 803.0 7.1
Kentucky ......: 64.0 62.0 257.0 279.0 8.6
Louisiana .....: 15.0 14.0 58.0 58.0 -
Maine .........: 30.0 30.0 145.0 144.0 -0.7
Maryland ......: 50.0 49.0 252.0 247.0 -2.0
:
Massachusetts .: 12.5 12.0 59.0 54.0 -8.5
Michigan ......: 381.0 403.0 2,291.0 2,470.0 7.8
Minnesota .....: 460.0 460.0 2,261.0 2,345.0 3.7
Mississippi ...: 13.0 12.0 52.0 53.0 1.9
Missouri ......: 90.0 87.0 336.0 345.0 2.7
Montana .......: 14.0 14.0 75.0 74.0 -1.3
Nebraska ......: 53.0 55.0 292.0 315.0 7.9
Nevada ........: 29.0 28.0 164.0 175.0 6.7
New Hampshire .: 14.0 14.0 71.0 70.0 -1.4
New Jersey ....: 7.0 7.0 32.0 33.0 3.1
:
New Mexico ....: 323.0 323.0 2,026.0 1,962.0 -3.2
New York ......: 615.0 616.0 3,333.0 3,404.0 2.1
North Carolina : 45.0 47.0 245.0 257.0 4.9
North Dakota ..: 17.0 16.0 81.0 80.0 -1.2
Ohio ..........: 266.0 268.0 1,325.0 1,358.0 2.5
Oklahoma ......: 40.0 40.0 178.0 180.0 1.1
Oregon ........: 124.0 125.0 638.0 636.0 -0.3
Pennsylvania ..: 531.0 530.0 2,663.0 2,719.0 2.1
Rhode Island ..: 0.9 0.9 4.2 4.1 -2.4
South Carolina : 16.0 15.0 71.0 72.0 1.4
:
South Dakota ..: 95.0 101.0 507.0 553.0 9.1
Tennessee .....: 46.0 46.0 188.0 196.0 4.3
Texas .........: 449.0 467.0 2,531.0 2,602.0 2.8
Utah ..........: 95.0 96.0 516.0 549.0 6.4
Vermont .......: 132.0 132.0 654.0 657.0 0.5
Virginia ......: 93.0 93.0 449.0 448.0 -0.2
Washington ....: 269.0 277.0 1,603.0 1,632.0 1.8
West Virginia .: 9.0 9.0 35.0 36.0 2.9
Wisconsin .....: 1,270.0 1,275.0 6,783.0 7,028.0 3.6
Wyoming .......: 6.0 6.0 31.5 32.0 1.6
:
United States .: 9,216.0 9,305.0 51,020.0 51,949.0 1.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Represents zero.
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - States and United States: Preliminary April - June 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: April - June milk cows1/ : April - June milk production2/
:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : : : : : Change
: : : : : from
: 2014 : 2015 : 2014 : 2015 : 2014
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: 1,000 head 1,000 head million pounds million pounds percent
:
Alabama .......: 8.5 8.0 31.0 29.0 -6.5
Alaska ........: 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.9 -
Arizona .......: 192.0 195.0 1,250.0 1,264.0 1.1
Arkansas ......: 7.5 7.0 28.0 27.0 -3.6
California ....: 1,779.0 1,778.0 10,979.0 10,652.0 -3.0
Colorado ......: 144.0 145.0 914.0 947.0 3.6
Connecticut ...: 19.0 19.5 97.0 102.0 5.2
Delaware ......: 4.8 5.0 24.9 25.9 4.0
Florida .......: 123.0 125.0 680.0 699.0 2.8
Georgia .......: 81.0 82.0 452.0 468.0 3.5
:
Hawaii ........: 2.2 2.2 7.8 8.4 7.7
Idaho .........: 574.0 586.0 3,533.0 3,611.0 2.2
Illinois ......: 94.0 95.0 482.0 495.0 2.7
Indiana .......: 177.0 181.0 995.0 1,023.0 2.8
Iowa ..........: 207.0 212.0 1,179.0 1,241.0 5.3
Kansas ........: 141.0 144.0 799.0 825.0 3.3
Kentucky ......: 64.0 62.0 268.0 288.0 7.5
Louisiana .....: 15.0 14.0 57.0 52.0 -8.8
Maine .........: 30.0 30.0 152.0 149.0 -2.0
Maryland ......: 50.0 49.0 254.0 255.0 0.4
:
Massachusetts .: 12.5 12.0 61.0 56.0 -8.2
Michigan ......: 385.0 406.0 2,420.0 2,606.0 7.7
Minnesota .....: 460.0 460.0 2,310.0 2,406.0 4.2
Mississippi ...: 13.0 12.0 51.0 48.0 -5.9
Missouri ......: 91.0 88.0 373.0 370.0 -0.8
Montana .......: 14.0 14.0 76.0 77.0 1.3
Nebraska ......: 54.0 56.0 302.0 326.0 7.9
Nevada ........: 29.0 29.0 176.0 182.0 3.4
New Hampshire .: 14.0 14.0 72.0 72.0 -
New Jersey ....: 7.0 7.0 33.0 33.0 -
:
New Mexico ....: 323.0 323.0 2,102.0 2,044.0 -2.8
New York ......: 615.0 618.0 3,484.0 3,580.0 2.8
North Carolina : 45.0 46.0 249.0 255.0 2.4
North Dakota ..: 16.5 16.0 84.0 85.0 1.2
Ohio ..........: 266.0 267.0 1,396.0 1,396.0 -
Oklahoma ......: 40.0 40.0 186.0 184.0 -1.1
Oregon ........: 125.0 123.0 666.0 646.0 -3.0
Pennsylvania ..: 530.0 530.0 2,720.0 2,796.0 2.8
Rhode Island ..: 0.9 0.9 4.5 4.0 -11.1
South Carolina : 16.0 15.0 71.0 71.0 -
:
South Dakota ..: 97.0 105.0 528.0 586.0 11.0
Tennessee .....: 46.0 46.0 197.0 202.0 2.5
Texas .........: 464.0 462.0 2,679.0 2,656.0 -0.9
Utah ..........: 95.0 96.0 554.0 576.0 4.0
Vermont .......: 131.0 132.0 677.0 682.0 0.7
Virginia ......: 93.0 92.0 458.0 461.0 0.7
Washington ....: 273.0 276.0 1,695.0 1,697.0 0.1
West Virginia .: 9.0 9.0 37.0 37.0 -
Wisconsin .....: 1,269.0 1,278.0 7,019.0 7,285.0 3.8
Wyoming .......: 6.0 6.0 33.0 34.0 3.0
:
United States .: 9,253.0 9,319.0 52,897.0 53,615.0 1.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Represents zero.
1/ Excludes 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 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, 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 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 milk cow inventory estimates
over the past 20 quarters 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 9.32 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 Quarterly Milk Production Estimates
[Based on data for the past 20 quarters]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate
: square error : confidence : : : : :
: : level :-------------------------------------------------------------
Item : : : : : : Quarters
: : : : : :-------------------------------
: : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent percent -------- 1,000 -------- ----- number -----
:
:
Milk production ..............: 0.1 0.2 52 2 141 17 3
:
All milk cows ................: 0.1 0.1 5 0 13 14 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 [email protected].
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424
Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040
Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240
Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106
Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236
Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278
Vacant - Sheep and Goats ..................... (202) 720-3570
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 "Follow NASS" box under "Receive
reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports
you would like to receive.
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:
[email protected].
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 http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 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
[email protected].
