U.S. milk production up slightly

The USDA says September milk production in the 24 major dairy states totaled 17.5 billion pounds, which was slightly more than September of 2022. The revised August 2023 production was 18.1 billion pounds, down seven-tenths of a percent from a year ago. 

Production per cow averaged 1,960 pounds in September, three pounds per cow more than a year ago. 

The total U.S. milk cow herd during the third quarter averaged 9.38 million head, down 43-thousand head from the 2nd quarter and 33-thousand fewer head than the 3rd quarter of 2022. 

California still has the most milk cows with 1.7 million head, followed by Wisconsin with 1.2 million head. 

Michigan producers continue to lead the nation in milk-per-cow averaging 2,335 pounds per cow, with Colorado in 2nd with 2,215 pounds per cow and Idaho with 2,205 pounds per cow.