Inside Milk
US milks the same amount with 60.000 fewer cows
Despite a contraction of approximately 60.000 cows, milk production in the United States remains stable.
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In July, processors collected 7,92 million tons, which is only 0,1% more than the same month in 2018. However, the dairy herd has declined significantly in the meantime.
Figures from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) show that the dairy herd in the 24 most important states has shrunk by 60.000 to 8,77 million. These are large numbers in themselves, but compared to the total, the shrinkage (less than 1%) is quite small.
The consistent milk supply is a result of the ever-increasing average milk production. Compared to 2018, the average monthly production per cow increased by 17 kilos to 893 kilos per cow, which equates to a daily production of 28,8 kilos.
High quit rates in Wisconsin
Milk supply in Wisconsin, the second largest dairy state, is moving with the national trend. Production in July was 1,17 million tons, which is equal to 2018. This is striking because many dairy farmers in that state have hung up their boots.
In one year, to be precise, 1 dairy farmers quit. In July, the state still had 844 registered dairy farms. Never before has the outflow been so large. The underlying cause is the persistently low milk prices as a result of the trade war.