Preliminary Agriculture Department data shows July milk output in the top 23 producing states 
at 17.2 billion pounds, up 1.9 percent from June 2016. Revisions added 5 million pounds to the original June estimate, now put at 16.9 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent from a year ago. The July 50-state total is 18.2 billion pounds, up 1.8 percent. Cow numbers averaged 9.4 million head, up 74,000 from 2016.
July milk cow numbers in the 23 states totaled 8.73 million head, down 1,000 head from June but 72,000 more than a year ago. Output per cow averaged 1,969 pounds, up 21 pounds from a year ago.
California output, while still below a year ago for the sixth consecutive month, strengthened some. The nation’s Number 1 milk producer was down just 0.2 percent, due to 13,000 fewer cows due to intense heat and slaughter houses not being able to keep up. Output per cow was up 10 pounds despite the heat. Wisconsin was up 0.7 percent on a 15 pound gain per cow while cow numbers were unchanged.
Texas continued to put milk in the tank, up a whopping 14.8 percent, driven by 35,000 more cows and a 130 pound gain per cow. New Mexico, was up 8.4 percent, on 19,000 more cows and a 45 pound gain per cow from a year ago.
Idaho slipped 0.2 percent, on a 10 pound loss per cow. Cow numbers were up 2,000 head. New York was down 0.1 percent, on a 15 pound loss per cow but milked 4,000 more cows than a year ago. Michigan was up 2.9 percent on 7,000 more cows and a 25 pound gain per cow. Minnesota was up 3.1 percent, thanks to 70 pounds more per cow offsetting a loss of 4,000 cows. Pennsylvania was off 0.4 percent on a loss of 5,000 cows, but output per cow was up 10 pounds. Heat took a toll on Washington State as well, down 1.2 percent on a 30 pound loss per cow and 2,000 fewer cows.
