October Milk Production Down 0.1%

Milk production was down for the second consecutive month in October, albeit just a slight 0.1% decline, the United States Department of Agriculture reported this afternoon. September’s decline was 0.6%.

Cow numbers were down 25,000 head from a year ago, and 9,000 from September.

Western states again led the decline, with New Mexico down 5.9%, Texas down 5%, Arizona down 4.5% and California down 3.5%. Of these states, only California was up in cows numbers--+2,000 head compared to a year ago (though it was down 1,000 head compared to September).

Wisconsin, the second leading dairy state, was up 4.7% in milk production in October on the strength of 7,000 more cows. New York was up 2.7% (no change in cow numbers), but Pennsylvania was down 0.3% on milk and 5,000 in cow numbers.

You can read the full October milk production report here.