May 20, 2005

US milk production increased in April

US milk production in the 23 major dairy states during April totalled 13.6 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from April 2004. Production per cow in the 23 major dairy states averaged 1,679 pounds for April, 43 pounds above April 2004. The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 states was 8.11 million head, 44,000 head more than in April 2004.

California's milk production increased 3.7 percent to 3.19 million billion pounds while the dairy herd increased 35,000 head and production per cow was 30 pounds more than a year ago at 1820.

Wisconsin production per cow increased 50 pounds to 1535 but the dairy herd slipped 11,000 to 1.233 million head. Wisconsin's total milk production in April was 1.89 billion pounds, up 2.7 percent from a year ago.

Idaho had the biggest increase from the previous year in April. Milk production was up 11.9 percent to 820 million pounds. Arizona has the best production per cow at 2,050 pounds.

The top five milk production states were California, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and Idaho.