ISSN: 1949-1557
Released May 19, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
April Milk Production up 1.7 Percent
Milk production in the 23 major States during April totaled 16.6 billion
pounds, up 1.7 percent from April 2014. March revised production at 16.9
billion pounds, was up 1.3 percent from March 2014. The March revision
represented an increase of 30.0 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last
month's preliminary production estimate.
Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,928 pounds for April,
16 pounds above April 2014. 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 8.62 million
head, 77,000 head more than April 2014, and 2,000 head more than March 2015.
April Milk Production in the United States up 1.7 Percent
Milk production in the United States during April totaled 17.8 billion
pounds, up 1.7 percent from April 2014.
Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,911 pounds for April, 19
pounds above April 2014.
The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.31 million head,
65,000 head more than April 2014, and 1,000 head more than March 2015.
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 5,581 51,020 51,934 1.8
April-June ......: 9,253 5,717 52,897
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 8,624 1,912 1,928 16,344 16,630 1.7
May ...........: 8,558 1,979 16,934
June ..........: 8,572 1,895 16,241
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 9,306 1,876 1,899 17,284 17,670 2.2
February ......: 9,212 9,306 1,727 1,739 15,907 16,184 1.7
March .........: 9,223 9,304 1,933 1,943 17,829 18,080 1.4
April .........: 9,240 9,305 1,892 1,911 17,480 17,785 1.7
May ...........: 9,252 1,956 18,094
June ..........: 9,267 1,869 17,323
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: April 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 .........: 192 195 2,210 2,225 424 434 2.4
California ......: 1,780 1,778 2,065 2,025 3,676 3,600 -2.1
Colorado ........: 143 145 2,080 2,170 297 315 6.1
Florida .........: 123 125 1,870 1,895 230 237 3.0
Idaho ...........: 572 584 1,995 2,000 1,141 1,168 2.4
Illinois ........: 94 95 1,725 1,760 162 167 3.1
Indiana .........: 176 181 1,845 1,855 325 336 3.4
Iowa ............: 206 212 1,880 1,935 387 410 5.9
Kansas ..........: 140 145 1,885 1,945 264 282 6.8
Michigan ........: 383 403 2,060 2,085 789 840 6.5
:
Minnesota .......: 460 459 1,660 1,710 764 785 2.7
New Mexico ......: 323 323 2,135 2,105 690 680 -1.4
New York ........: 615 617 1,845 1,875 1,135 1,157 1.9
Ohio ............: 267 268 1,720 1,730 459 464 1.1
Oregon ..........: 125 125 1,770 1,750 221 219 -0.9
Pennsylvania ....: 531 530 1,705 1,755 905 930 2.8
South Dakota ....: 97 103 1,785 1,840 173 190 9.8
Texas ...........: 460 462 1,930 1,940 888 896 0.9
Utah ............: 95 96 1,895 1,975 180 190 5.6
Vermont .........: 131 131 1,695 1,695 222 222 -
:
Virginia ........: 93 92 1,660 1,670 154 154 -
Washington ......: 272 277 2,040 2,015 555 558 0.5
Wisconsin .......: 1,269 1,278 1,815 1,875 2,303 2,396 4.0
:
23-State Total ..: 8,547 8,624 1,912 1,928 16,344 16,630 1.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Represents zero.
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: March 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 2,230 2,245 428 438 2.3
California ....: 1,781 1,779 2,140 2,080 3,811 3,700 -2.9
Colorado ......: 141 145 2,100 2,190 296 318 7.4
Florida .......: 123 125 1,925 1,960 237 245 3.4
Idaho .........: 570 583 2,030 2,035 1,157 1,186 2.5
Illinois ......: 94 95 1,755 1,770 165 168 1.8
Indiana .......: 176 181 1,875 1,895 330 343 3.9
Iowa ..........: 205 211 1,920 1,965 394 415 5.3
Kansas ........: 138 144 1,895 1,970 262 284 8.4
Michigan ......: 381 403 2,090 2,115 796 852 7.0
:
Minnesota .....: 459 459 1,700 1,760 780 808 3.6
New Mexico ....: 323 323 2,210 2,125 714 686 -3.9
New York ......: 615 617 1,885 1,905 1,159 1,175 1.4
Ohio ..........: 266 268 1,730 1,745 460 468 1.7
Oregon ........: 125 125 1,800 1,775 225 222 -1.3
Pennsylvania ..: 531 530 1,750 1,775 929 941 1.3
South Dakota ..: 96 102 1,845 1,890 177 193 9.0
Texas .........: 455 464 1,965 1,925 894 893 -0.1
Utah ..........: 95 96 1,905 1,990 181 191 5.5
Vermont .......: 131 132 1,730 1,720 227 227 -
:
Virginia ......: 93 92 1,680 1,685 156 155 -0.6
Washington ....: 270 277 2,080 2,050 562 568 1.1
Wisconsin .....: 1,270 1,276 1,850 1,905 2,350 2,431 3.4
:
23-State Total : 8,530 8,622 1,957 1,961 16,690 16,907 1.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Represents zero.
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 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 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 16.6 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 26 0 89 15 7
:
All Milk cows ................: 0.1 0.1 5 0 16 13 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
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