The slowdown in U.S. milk output was more obvious in April, though it still bested previous year output for the 52nd month. USDA’s preliminary data put output at a bullish 17.3 billion pounds in the top 23 states, up 0.7 percent from April 2017. The 50-state total, at 18.4 billion pounds, was up 0.6 percent. Revisions lowered the March estimate 9 million pounds to 17.8 billion pounds, up 1.4 percent.
April cow numbers in the 50 states totaled 9.4 million, unchanged from March and just 8,000 above a year ago. Output per cow averaged 1,961 pounds, up 9 pounds from a year ago.
California topped its year-ago output for the fourth consecutive month but not by much, up just 0.4 percent on a drop of 19,000 cows from a year ago. Output per cow was up 30 pounds. Wisconsin inched 0.7 percent lower on a 5-pound loss per cow and 5,000 fewer cows milked.
A 55-pound drop per cow took New York output down 2.4 percent, though cow numbers were up 2,000. Idaho was up 3.5 percent, thanks to a 40-pound increase per cow and 9,000 more cows. Pennsylvania was down 1.7 percent on a 30-pound loss per cow. Cow numbers were unchanged. Minnesota was down 2.2 percent, on 5,000 fewer cows and 20 pounds less per cow.
Michigan output was also down, 1.4 percent on a 15-pound loss per cow and 3,000 fewer cows. New Mexico was up 2.6 percent on 6,000 more cows and 15 pounds more per cow. Texas producers saw a 100 pound gain per cow propel their overall output 7 percent higher and the extra 10,000 cows helped as well. Vermont was down 3 percent on a 30-pound loss per cow and 2,000 fewer cows. Washington State was up 3.1 percent on a 45 pound gain per cow and 2,000 more cows milked than a year ago.
Courtesy Mielke Market Weekly
