Milk Production

0
833
ISSN: 1949-1557

Released May 19, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service 
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA).

April Milk Production up 1.7 Percent
						
Milk production in the 23 major States during April totaled 16.6 billion 
pounds, up 1.7 percent from April 2014.  March revised production at 16.9 
billion pounds, was up 1.3 percent from March 2014.  The March revision 
represented an increase of 30.0 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last 
month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,928 pounds for April, 
16 pounds above April 2014.  This is the highest production per cow for the 
month of April since the 23 State series began in 2003.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.62 million 
head, 77,000 head more than April 2014, and 2,000 head more than March 2015.

April Milk Production in the United States up 1.7 Percent

Milk production in the United States during April totaled 17.8 billion 
pounds, up 1.7 percent from April 2014.

Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,911 pounds for April, 19 
pounds above April 2014.

The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.31 million head, 
65,000 head more than April 2014, and 1,000 head more than March 2015.

Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2014-2015
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :   Milk cows 1/   :  Milk per cow 2/  :      Milk production 2/      
                 :---------------------------------------------------------------------
     Quarter     :        :         :         :         :         :         :  Change  
                 :  2014  :  2015   :  2014   :  2015   :  2014   :  2015   :   from   
                 :        :         :         :         :         :         :   2014   
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :    1,000 Head      ---- Pounds ----     Million Pounds     Percent  
                 :                                                                     
January-March ...: 9,216     9,305     5,536     5,581     51,020   51,934      1.8    
April-June ......: 9,253               5,717               52,897                      
July-September ..: 9,270               5,520               51,173                      
October-December : 9,287               5,487               50,956                      
                 :                                                                     
Annual ..........: 9,257              22,258              206,046                      
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.                                  
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.                                                     

Milk Cows and Production By Month - 23 Selected States: 2014-2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :         Milk cows1/         :       Milk per cow2/        :             Milk production2/              
               :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :              :              :              :              :              :              :    Change    
     Month     :     2014     :     2015     :     2014     :     2015     :     2014     :     2015     :     from     
               :              :              :              :              :              :              :     2014     
               :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  1,000 head     1,000 head       pounds         pounds     million pounds million pounds    percent    
               :                                                                                                        
January .......:    8,516          8,620           1,901         1,919          16,186         16,544          2.2      
February ......:    8,516          8,620           1,749         1,756          14,892         15,139          1.7      
March .........:    8,530          8,622           1,957         1,961          16,690         16,907          1.3      
April .........:    8,547          8,624           1,912         1,928          16,344         16,630          1.7      
May ...........:    8,558                          1,979                        16,934                                  
June ..........:    8,572                          1,895                        16,241                                  
July ..........:    8,583                          1,909                        16,381                                  
August ........:    8,585                          1,885                        16,184                                  
September .....:    8,593                          1,806                        15,519                                  
October .......:    8,594                          1,864                        16,017                                  
November ......:    8,598                          1,806                        15,527                                  
December ......:    8,611                          1,888                        16,256                                  
               :                                                                                                        
Annual ........:    8,567                         22,551                       193,171                                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows.  Excludes heifers not yet fresh.                                                                  
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.                                                                                      

Estimated Milk Cows and Production By Month - United States: 2014-2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :         Milk cows1/         :       Milk per cow2/        :             Milk production2/              
               :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :              :              :              :              :              :              :    Change    
     Month     :     2014     :     2015     :     2014     :     2015     :     2014     :     2015     :     from     
               :              :              :              :              :              :              :     2014     
               :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  1,000 head     1,000 head       pounds         pounds     million pounds million pounds    percent    
               :                                                                                                        
January .......:    9,212          9,306           1,876         1,899          17,284         17,670          2.2      
February ......:    9,212          9,306           1,727         1,739          15,907         16,184          1.7      
March .........:    9,223          9,304           1,933         1,943          17,829         18,080          1.4      
April .........:    9,240          9,305           1,892         1,911          17,480         17,785          1.7      
May ...........:    9,252                          1,956                        18,094                                  
June ..........:    9,267                          1,869                        17,323                                  
July ..........:    9,268                          1,881                        17,435                                  
August ........:    9,268                          1,858                        17,224                                  
September .....:    9,274                          1,781                        16,514                                  
October .......:    9,277                          1,840                        17,071                                  
November ......:    9,284                          1,783                        16,551                                  
December ......:    9,299                          1,864                        17,334                                  
               :                                                                                                        
Annual ........:    9,257                         22,258                       206,046                                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.                                                                   
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.                                                                                      

Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: April 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :        Milk cows 1/         :       Milk per cow 2/       :             Milk production 2/             
      State      :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :              :              :              :              :              :              :    Change    
                 :     2014     :     2015     :     2014     :     2015     :     2014     :     2015     :     from     
                 :              :              :              :              :              :              :     2014     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 :  1,000 head     1,000 head       pounds         pounds     million pounds million pounds    percent    
                 :                                                                                                        
Arizona .........:      192            195          2,210          2,225             424            434           2.4     
California ......:    1,780          1,778          2,065          2,025           3,676          3,600          -2.1     
Colorado ........:      143            145          2,080          2,170             297            315           6.1     
Florida .........:      123            125          1,870          1,895             230            237           3.0     
Idaho ...........:      572            584          1,995          2,000           1,141          1,168           2.4     
Illinois ........:       94             95          1,725          1,760             162            167           3.1     
Indiana .........:      176            181          1,845          1,855             325            336           3.4     
Iowa ............:      206            212          1,880          1,935             387            410           5.9     
Kansas ..........:      140            145          1,885          1,945             264            282           6.8     
Michigan ........:      383            403          2,060          2,085             789            840           6.5     
                 :                                                                                                        
Minnesota .......:      460            459          1,660          1,710             764            785           2.7     
New Mexico ......:      323            323          2,135          2,105             690            680          -1.4     
New York ........:      615            617          1,845          1,875           1,135          1,157           1.9     
Ohio ............:      267            268          1,720          1,730             459            464           1.1     
Oregon ..........:      125            125          1,770          1,750             221            219          -0.9     
Pennsylvania ....:      531            530          1,705          1,755             905            930           2.8     
South Dakota ....:       97            103          1,785          1,840             173            190           9.8     
Texas ...........:      460            462          1,930          1,940             888            896           0.9     
Utah ............:       95             96          1,895          1,975             180            190           5.6     
Vermont .........:      131            131          1,695          1,695             222            222             -     
                 :                                                                                                        
Virginia ........:       93             92          1,660          1,670             154            154             -     
Washington ......:      272            277          2,040          2,015             555            558           0.5     
Wisconsin .......:    1,269          1,278          1,815          1,875           2,303          2,396           4.0     
                 :                                                                                                        
23-State Total ..:    8,547          8,624          1,912          1,928          16,344         16,630           1.7     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  Represents zero.                                                                                                       
1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.                                                                     
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.                                                                                        

Milk Cows and Production - 23 Selected States: March 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :      Milk cows1/      :    Milk per cow2/     :           Milk production 2/            
               :-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :           :           :           :           :              :              :  Change   
               :   2014    :   2015    :   2014    :   2015    :     2014     :     2015     :   from    
               :           :           :           :           :              :              :   2014    
               :-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :1,000 head  1,000 head    pounds      pounds    million pounds million pounds   percent  
               :                                                                                         
Arizona .......:     192         195       2,230       2,245           428            438         2.3    
California ....:   1,781       1,779       2,140       2,080         3,811          3,700        -2.9    
Colorado ......:     141         145       2,100       2,190           296            318         7.4    
Florida .......:     123         125       1,925       1,960           237            245         3.4    
Idaho .........:     570         583       2,030       2,035         1,157          1,186         2.5    
Illinois ......:      94          95       1,755       1,770           165            168         1.8    
Indiana .......:     176         181       1,875       1,895           330            343         3.9    
Iowa ..........:     205         211       1,920       1,965           394            415         5.3    
Kansas ........:     138         144       1,895       1,970           262            284         8.4    
Michigan ......:     381         403       2,090       2,115           796            852         7.0    
               :                                                                                         
Minnesota .....:     459         459       1,700       1,760           780            808         3.6    
New Mexico ....:     323         323       2,210       2,125           714            686        -3.9    
New York ......:     615         617       1,885       1,905         1,159          1,175         1.4    
Ohio ..........:     266         268       1,730       1,745           460            468         1.7    
Oregon ........:     125         125       1,800       1,775           225            222        -1.3    
Pennsylvania ..:     531         530       1,750       1,775           929            941         1.3    
South Dakota ..:      96         102       1,845       1,890           177            193         9.0    
Texas .........:     455         464       1,965       1,925           894            893        -0.1    
Utah ..........:      95          96       1,905       1,990           181            191         5.5    
Vermont .......:     131         132       1,730       1,720           227            227           -    
               :                                                                                         
Virginia ......:      93          92       1,680       1,685           156            155        -0.6    
Washington ....:     270         277       2,080       2,050           562            568         1.1    
Wisconsin .....:   1,270       1,276       1,850       1,905         2,350          2,431         3.4    
               :                                                                                         
23-State Total :   8,530       8,622       1,957       1,961        16,690         16,907         1.3    
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-  Represents zero.                                                                                      
1/ Includes dry cows.  Excludes heifers not yet fresh.                                                   
2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves.                                                                       

Statistical Methodology

Survey Procedures: Primary data used to determine these estimates were 
obtained from a sample of producers. Individual States maintain a list of all 
known milk producers and information on the size of their herd. States use 
all known sources of producers to ensure that their lists are as complete as 
possible. Generally, all large producers and a sample of small producers are 
included in the survey. Questionnaires are mailed to producers near the end 
of the month to obtain data for the first day of the month. Additional 
reports are obtained by telephone, as needed, to supplement the mail 
response. Where feasible, States utilize state and federal administrative 
data to estimate milk production. This eliminates duplication of data 
gathering by different government agencies.  Indications of milk cow 
inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Surveys.

Estimation Procedures: State offices prepare these estimates by using a 
combination of survey indications, historic trends, and any available 
administrative data. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the 
Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness.

Revision Policy: Milk production, milk per cow, and number of milk cows are 
subject to revision the following month after initial publication for monthly 
States or the following quarter for the quarterly States. Normally, 
administrative data from Federal Market Orders, State Departments of 
Agriculture, or other sources are the main basis for revisions. However, 
administrative data for all States may not be available in time for these 
revisions. Estimates are again subject to revisions in February each year 
based on additional administrative data. In the event that additional changes 
are necessary, a third revision is possible in February the following year. 
Estimates are again reviewed after data from the five-year Census of 
Agriculture are available. No revisions are made after that date.

Reliability: Since all operations with dairy animals are not included in the 
sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results 
are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and 
mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of 
these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid 
quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review 
of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness.

To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this 
report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the table 
below. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past 
performance and is computed using the differences between first and final 
estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for the 23 State milk production 
estimates over the past 24 months is 0.2 percent. This means that chances are 
2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current 
estimate of 16.6 billion pounds by more than 0.2 percent. Chances are 9 out 
of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.3 percent.

Reliability of Monthly Milk Production Estimates
[Based on data for the past 24 months]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              :  Root mean   :  90 percent  :        Difference between first and latest estimate         
                              : square error :  confidence  :         :         :         :               :               
                              :              :    level     :-------------------------------------------------------------
             Item             :              :              :         :         :         :            Months             
                              :              :              :         :         :         :-------------------------------
                              :              :              : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest  : Above latest  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              :   percent        percent        -------- 1,000 -------           ----- number -----       
                              :                                                                                           
                              :                                                                                           
Milk production ..............:     0.2            0.3          26         0        89           15               7       
                              :                                                                                           
All Milk cows ................:     0.1            0.1           5         0        16           13               8       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock 
Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent 
to [email protected].

Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570

Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424
   Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040
   Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (202) 720-3240
   Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs .................. (202) 720-3106
   Donnie Fike - Dairy Products ................. (202) 690-3236
   Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278
   Vacant - Sheep and Goats ..................... (202) 720-3570

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