October 26, 2016
World milk production down, but US up
Milk production in all major exporting regions except the US has decreased, data for August showed, according to a report from Irish Farmers Journal.
The report said European milk supply decreased 1.47% from the same month last year, based on August figures available for all EU countries except Cyprus.
Data compiled by the European Commission also showed Oceania is cutting back production as it enters its peak production season, while New Zealand's August supply declined 2.7% year-on-year and Australia by 9.3%. Argentinian production was also reported to have dropped.
Overall, supply from the main milk exporters was estimated to be down more than 1% from August 2015, the report said.
Meanwhile, US milk production increased 2.3% in September, compared with the same month last year, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
In August, the US produced more than 8 billion litres, the first time it did so.
According to the USDA, production per cow also increased, with the 23 major states averaging 1,842 lbs for September, or 35 lbs above September 2015.