Both Milk Cows and Production Rise in January

Wisconsin Milk Production

Milk production in Wisconsin during January 2021 totaled 2.66 billion pounds, up 3% from the previous January, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during January, at 1.26 million head, was 2,000 more than both last month and January 2020. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,105 pounds, up 60 pounds from last January.

U.S. Milk Production

Milk production in the 24 major States during January totaled 18.3 billion pounds, up 1.8% from January 2020. December revised production, at 18.0 billion pounds, was up 2.6% from December 2019. The December revision represented a decrease of 74 million pounds or 0.4% from last month’s preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,049 pounds for January, 15 pounds above January 2020. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.93 million head, 92,000 head more than January 2020, and 6,000 head more than December 2020.

The annual production of milk for the United States during 2020 was 223 billion pounds, 2.2% above 2019. Revisions to 2019 production increased the annual total 59 million pounds. Revised 2020 production was up 165 million pounds from last month’s publication. Annual total milk production has increased 13.7% from 2011. Production per cow in the United States averaged 23,777 pounds for 2020, 382 pounds above 2019. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 11.5% from 2011.

The average number of milk cows on farms in the United States during 2020 was 9.39 million head, up 0.5% from 2019. The average number of milk cows was revised up 6,000 head for 2020. The average annual number of milk cows has increased 2.1% from 2011.