Milk Production
ISSN: 1949-1557
Released October 20, 2015, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA).
September Milk Production up 0.4 Percent
Milk production in the 23 major States during September totaled 15.6 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent from September
2014. August revised production at 16.3 billion pounds, was up 0.9 percent from August 2014. The August revision
represented an increase of 15 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.
Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,805 pounds for September, 1 pound below September 2014. This
is the second highest production per cow for the month of September since the 23 State series began in 2003.
The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.63 million head, 41,000 head more than September
2014, but unchanged from August 2015.
July-September Milk Production up 0.9 Percent
Milk production in the United States during the July - September quarter totaled 51.6 billion pounds, up 0.9 percent from
the July - September quarter last year.
The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.31 million head, 7,000 head fewer than
the April - June quarter, but 43,000 head more than the same period last year.
Monthly Milk Production – 23 Selected States
Million pounds
17,300
16,800
16,300
15,800
15,300
14,800
2014
2015
14,300
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Milk Cows and Production by Quarter – United States: 2014-2015
[May not add due to rounding]
Milk cows 1
Quarter
Milk per cow 2
Milk production 2
2014
2015
2014
2015
(1,000 head)
(1,000 head)
(pounds)
(pounds)
January-March ...................
April-June ..........................
July-September ..................
October-December ............
9,216
9,253
9,270
9,287
Annual ...............................
9,257
9,305
9,320
9,313
5,536
5,717
5,520
5,487
2014
2015
(million pounds) (million pounds)
5,583
5,757
5,545
51,020
52,897
51,173
50,956
22,258
Change
from
2014
(percent)
51,949
53,654
51,642
1.8
1.4
0.9
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
Month
Milk per cow2
Milk production2
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
Change
from
2014
(1,000 head)
(1,000 head)
(pounds)
(pounds)
(million pounds)
(million pounds)
(percent)
16,186
14,892
16,690
16,344
16,934
16,241
16,381
16,184
15,519
16,017
15,527
16,256
16,544
15,139
16,907
16,633
17,187
16,394
16,586
16,331
15,583
January ..............
February ............
March .................
April ...................
May ....................
June ...................
July ....................
August ...............
September .........
October ..............
November ..........
December ..........
8,516
8,516
8,530
8,547
8,558
8,572
8,583
8,585
8,593
8,594
8,598
8,611
Annual ...............
8,567
8,620
8,620
8,622
8,626
8,630
8,628
8,628
8,634
8,634
1,901
1,749
1,957
1,912
1,979
1,895
1,909
1,885
1,806
1,864
1,806
1,888
1,919
1,756
1,961
1,928
1,992
1,900
1,922
1,891
1,805
22,551
2.2
1.7
1.3
1.8
1.5
0.9
1.3
0.9
0.4
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
Month
Milk per cow2
Milk production2
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
Change
from
2014
(1,000 head)
(1,000 head)
(pounds)
(pounds)
(million pounds)
(million pounds)
(percent)
17,284
15,907
17,829
17,480
18,094
17,323
17,435
17,224
16,514
17,071
16,551
17,334
17,680
16,189
18,080
17,800
18,369
17,485
17,670
17,385
16,587
January ..............
February ............
March .................
April ...................
May ....................
June ...................
July ....................
August ...............
September .........
October ..............
November ..........
December ..........
9,212
9,212
9,223
9,240
9,252
9,267
9,268
9,268
9,274
9,277
9,284
9,299
Annual ...............
9,257
9,304
9,304
9,306
9,315
9,323
9,321
9,315
9,315
9,310
1,876
1,727
1,933
1,892
1,956
1,869
1,881
1,858
1,781
1,840
1,783
1,864
22,258
1,900
1,740
1,943
1,911
1,970
1,876
1,897
1,866
1,782
2.3
1.8
1.4
1.8
1.5
0.9
1.3
0.9
0.4
206,046
1
Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2
Excludes milk sucked by calves.
2
Milk Production (October 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Milk Cows and Production – 23 Selected States: September 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
Milk cows 1
State
Milk per cow 2
Milk production 2
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
Change
from
2014
(1,000 head)
(1,000 head)
(pounds)
(pounds)
(percent)
(million pounds)
(million pounds)
Arizona ..................
California ...............
Colorado ................
Florida ...................
Idaho .....................
Illinois ....................
Indiana ..................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ..................
Michigan ................
193
1,779
145
123
579
94
179
208
143
396
195
1,778
145
125
586
94
183
210
144
410
1,780
1,850
2,055
1,420
1,975
1,510
1,770
1,805
1,770
2,000
1,785
1,785
2,145
1,425
1,985
1,520
1,780
1,825
1,785
2,010
344
3,291
298
175
1,144
142
317
375
253
792
348
3,174
311
178
1,163
143
326
383
257
824
1.2
-3.6
4.4
1.7
1.7
0.7
2.8
2.1
1.6
4.0
Minnesota ..............
New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
Ohio .......................
Oregon ..................
Pennsylvania .........
South Dakota .........
Texas ....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
460
323
615
267
124
530
97
470
96
132
460
323
620
266
123
530
107
462
96
131
1,605
2,000
1,835
1,650
1,670
1,630
1,795
1,745
1,885
1,645
1,640
1,960
1,840
1,660
1,635
1,600
1,835
1,785
1,885
1,625
738
646
1,129
441
207
864
174
820
181
217
754
633
1,141
442
201
848
196
825
181
213
2.2
-2.0
1.1
0.2
-2.9
-1.9
12.6
0.6
-1.8
Virginia ..................
Washington ...........
Wisconsin ..............
93
275
1,272
90
276
1,280
1,495
1,970
1,800
1,545
1,960
1,845
139
542
2,290
139
541
2,362
-0.2
3.1
23-State Total ........
8,593
8,634
1,806
1,805
15,519
15,583
0.4
- Represents zero.
1
Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2
Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Monthly Milk per Cow – 23 Selected States
Pounds
2,000
1,950
1,900
1,850
1,800
1,750
2014
2015
1,700
Jan
Feb
Mar
Milk Production (October 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
3
Milk Cows and Production – 23 Selected States: August 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
Milk cows1
Milk per cow2
Milk production 2
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
(1,000 head)
(1,000 head)
(pounds)
(pounds)
(million pounds)
Change
from
2014
2015
(million pounds)
(percent)
Arizona ..................
California ...............
Colorado ................
Florida ....................
Idaho ......................
Illinois .....................
Indiana ...................
Iowa .......................
Kansas ...................
Michigan ................
193
1,779
145
123
579
94
179
208
143
394
195
1,778
145
125
586
94
181
211
144
410
1,915
1,940
2,135
1,565
2,095
1,565
1,830
1,855
1,810
2,115
1,870
1,880
2,210
1,555
2,090
1,600
1,840
1,905
1,825
2,140
370
3,451
310
192
1,213
147
328
386
259
833
365
3,343
320
194
1,225
150
333
402
263
877
-1.4
-3.1
3.2
1.0
1.0
2.0
1.5
4.1
1.5
5.3
Minnesota ..............
New Mexico ...........
New York ...............
Ohio .......................
Oregon ...................
Pennsylvania .........
South Dakota .........
Texas .....................
Utah .......................
Vermont .................
460
323
615
266
123
530
97
470
96
132
460
323
619
266
123
530
107
462
96
132
1,660
2,100
1,915
1,720
1,725
1,680
1,855
1,785
1,990
1,725
1,730
2,010
1,945
1,750
1,705
1,685
1,915
1,790
1,990
1,700
764
678
1,178
458
212
890
180
839
191
228
796
649
1,204
466
210
893
205
827
191
224
4.2
-4.3
2.2
1.7
-0.9
0.3
13.9
-1.4
-1.8
Virginia ...................
Washington ............
Wisconsin ..............
93
272
1,271
91
276
1,280
1,580
2,060
1,865
1,595
2,050
1,940
147
560
2,370
145
566
2,483
-1.4
1.1
4.8
23-State Total ........
8,585
8,634
1,885
1,891
16,184
16,331
0.9
- Represents zero.
1
Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2
Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Monthly Milk Cows – 23 Selected States
Thousand head
8,640
8,620
8,600
8,580
8,560
8,540
8,520
2014
2015
8,500
Jan
4
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Milk Production (October 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Milk Cows and Production – States and United States: Revised April - June 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
April - June milk cows1
State
2014
April - June milk production2
2015
(1,000 head)
2014
(1,000 head)
Change
from
2014
2015
(million pounds)
(million pounds)
(percent)
Alabama ..................
Alaska .....................
Arizona ....................
Arkansas .................
California .................
Colorado ..................
Connecticut .............
Delaware .................
Florida .....................
Georgia ...................
8.5
0.3
192.0
7.5
1,779.0
144.0
19.0
4.8
123.0
81.0
8.0
0.3
195.0
7.0
1,778.0
145.0
19.5
5.0
125.0
82.0
31.0
0.9
1,250.0
28.0
10,979.0
914.0
97.0
24.9
680.0
452.0
28.0
0.9
1,256.0
26.0
10,652.0
944.0
102.0
25.9
696.0
468.0
-9.7
0.5
-7.1
-3.0
3.3
5.2
4.0
2.4
3.5
Hawaii .....................
Idaho .......................
Illinois ......................
Indiana ....................
Iowa .........................
Kansas ....................
Kentucky ..................
Louisiana .................
Maine ......................
Maryland ..................
2.2
574.0
94.0
177.0
207.0
141.0
64.0
15.0
30.0
50.0
2.2
586.0
95.0
181.0
212.0
144.0
62.0
14.0
30.0
49.0
7.8
3,533.0
482.0
995.0
1,179.0
799.0
268.0
57.0
152.0
254.0
8.4
3,602.0
496.0
1,023.0
1,241.0
824.0
289.0
52.0
150.0
255.0
7.7
2.0
2.9
2.8
5.3
3.1
7.8
-8.8
-1.3
0.4
Massachusetts .........
Michigan ..................
Minnesota ................
Mississippi ...............
Missouri ...................
Montana ..................
Nebraska .................
Nevada ....................
New Hampshire .......
New Jersey ..............
12.5
385.0
460.0
13.0
91.0
14.0
54.0
29.0
14.0
7.0
12.0
406.0
460.0
12.0
88.0
14.0
56.0
29.0
14.0
7.0
61.0
2,420.0
2,310.0
51.0
373.0
76.0
302.0
176.0
72.0
33.0
56.0
2,612.0
2,413.0
47.0
370.0
77.0
328.0
182.0
72.0
33.0
-8.2
7.9
4.5
-7.8
-0.8
1.3
8.6
3.4
-
New Mexico .............
New York .................
North Carolina .........
North Dakota ...........
Ohio .........................
Oklahoma ................
Oregon ....................
Pennsylvania ...........
Rhode Island ...........
South Carolina .........
323.0
615.0
45.0
16.5
266.0
40.0
125.0
530.0
0.9
16.0
323.0
618.0
46.0
16.0
267.0
40.0
123.0
530.0
0.9
15.0
2,102.0
3,484.0
249.0
84.0
1,396.0
186.0
666.0
2,720.0
4.5
71.0
2,044.0
3,586.0
256.0
85.0
1,401.0
184.0
643.0
2,796.0
4.0
71.0
-2.8
2.9
2.8
1.2
0.4
-1.1
-3.5
2.8
-11.1
-
South Dakota ...........
Tennessee ...............
Texas ......................
Utah .........................
Vermont ...................
Virginia ....................
Washington .............
West Virginia ...........
Wisconsin ................
Wyoming .................
97.0
46.0
464.0
95.0
131.0
93.0
273.0
9.0
1,269.0
6.0
105.0
46.0
462.0
96.0
132.0
92.0
276.0
9.0
1,279.0
6.0
528.0
197.0
2,679.0
554.0
677.0
458.0
1,695.0
37.0
7,019.0
33.0
587.0
199.0
2,656.0
576.0
682.0
461.0
1,690.0
37.0
7,333.0
34.0
11.2
1.0
-0.9
4.0
0.7
0.7
-0.3
4.5
3.0
United States ...........
9,253.0
9,320.0
52,897.0
53,654.0
1.4
- Represents zero.
1
Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2
Excludes milk sucked by calves.
Milk Production (October 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
5
Milk Cows and Production – States and United States: Preliminary July - September 2014 and 2015
[May not add due to rounding]
July - September milk cows1
State
2014
July - September milk production2
2015
(1,000 head)
2014
(1,000 head)
Change
from
2014
2015
(million pounds)
(million pounds)
(percent)
Alabama ..................
Alaska ......................
Arizona ....................
Arkansas ..................
California .................
Colorado ..................
Connecticut ..............
Delaware .................
Florida ......................
Georgia ....................
8.0
0.3
193.0
7.5
1,779.0
145.0
19.0
4.8
123.0
81.0
7.5
0.3
195.0
7.0
1,778.0
145.0
19.5
5.0
125.0
83.0
23.0
0.9
1,092.0
22.0
10,264.0
920.0
95.0
23.0
578.0
392.0
21.0
0.9
1,100.0
21.0
9,922.0
953.0
98.0
23.8
586.0
415.0
-8.7
0.7
-4.5
-3.3
3.6
3.2
3.5
1.4
5.9
Hawaii ......................
Idaho ........................
Illinois .......................
Indiana .....................
Iowa .........................
Kansas .....................
Kentucky ..................
Louisiana .................
Maine .......................
Maryland ..................
2.2
579.0
94.0
179.0
208.0
143.0
60.0
14.0
30.0
49.0
2.2
586.0
94.0
182.0
211.0
144.0
60.0
13.0
30.0
48.0
7.5
3,582.0
443.0
973.0
1,153.0
774.0
229.0
42.0
154.0
238.0
9.0
3,617.0
450.0
995.0
1,189.0
784.0
250.0
37.0
151.0
240.0
20.0
1.0
1.6
2.3
3.1
1.3
9.2
-11.9
-1.9
0.8
Massachusetts .........
Michigan ..................
Minnesota ................
Mississippi ...............
Missouri ...................
Montana ...................
Nebraska .................
Nevada ....................
New Hampshire .......
New Jersey ..............
12.5
395.0
460.0
12.5
88.0
14.0
54.0
28.0
14.0
7.0
12.0
410.0
460.0
10.5
88.0
14.0
57.0
29.0
14.0
7.0
58.0
2,460.0
2,270.0
40.0
337.0
76.0
297.0
176.0
70.0
31.0
54.0
2,589.0
2,360.0
32.0
334.0
75.0
323.0
179.0
70.0
31.0
-6.9
5.2
4.0
-20.0
-0.9
-1.3
8.8
1.7
-
New Mexico .............
New York .................
North Carolina ..........
North Dakota ............
Ohio .........................
Oklahoma ................
Oregon .....................
Pennsylvania ...........
Rhode Island ............
South Carolina .........
323.0
615.0
45.0
16.0
266.0
40.0
123.0
530.0
0.9
15.0
323.0
619.0
46.0
16.0
266.0
38.0
122.0
530.0
0.9
15.0
2,012.0
3,488.0
228.0
80.0
1,363.0
163.0
635.0
2,650.0
4.3
59.0
1,941.0
3,564.0
232.0
84.0
1,376.0
161.0
620.0
2,658.0
4.0
58.0
-3.5
2.2
1.8
5.0
1.0
-1.2
-2.4
0.3
-7.0
-1.7
South Dakota ...........
Tennessee ...............
Texas .......................
Utah .........................
Vermont ...................
Virginia .....................
Washington ..............
West Virginia ............
Wisconsin ................
Wyoming ..................
97.0
45.0
470.0
96.0
132.0
93.0
273.0
9.0
1,271.0
6.0
107.0
43.0
462.0
96.0
132.0
91.0
275.0
8.5
1,280.0
6.0
533.0
176.0
2,524.0
562.0
673.0
433.0
1,665.0
34.0
7,037.0
33.0
604.0
169.0
2,507.0
566.0
667.0
432.0
1,666.0
34.0
7,354.0
35.0
13.3
-4.0
-0.7
0.7
-0.9
-0.2
0.1
4.5
6.1
United States ...........
9,270.0
9,313.0
51,173.0
51,642.0
0.9
- Represents zero.
1
Excludes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh.
2
Excludes milk sucked by calves.
6
Milk Production (October 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
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 on the next page. 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 milk cow inventory
estimates over the past 20 quarters is 0.1 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be
above or below the current estimate of 9.31 million head by more than 0.1 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the
difference will not exceed 0.1 percent.
Reliability of Quarterly Milk Production Estimates
[Based on data for the past 20 quarters]
Item
Root mean
square error
(percent)
Difference between first and latest estimate
90 percent
confidence
level
Average
Smallest
Largest
(percent)
(1,000)
(1,000)
(1,000)
Quarters
Below latest
Above latest
(number)
(number)
Milk production ...............................
0.1
0.2
49
2
141
17
3
All milk cows ...................................
0.1
0.1
5
0
13
14
4
Milk Production (October 2015)
USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
7
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
Sherry Bertramsen – Livestock Slaughter ................................................................................................ (202) 720-3240
Doug Bounds – Hogs and Pigs ................................................................................................................. (202) 720-3106
Donnie Fike – Dairy Products .................................................................................................................. (202) 690-3236
Michael Klamm – Cattle, Cattle on Feed ................................................................................................. (202) 720-3040
Mike Miller – Milk Production and Milk Cows ....................................................................................... (202) 720-3278
David Colwell – Sheep and Goats ............................................................................................................ (202) 720-8784
Access to NASS Reports
For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:
 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov
 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free
subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Follow NASS” box under “Receive reports by Email,”
click on “National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive.
For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540,
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: [email protected].
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for
employment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where
applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's
income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program
or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or
employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or
call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the
form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at
[email protected].