Inside Milk
US milk volume grows despite production dip
American farmers are holding onto the rising trend in milk production. Also in August 2021 there was considerably more milking than in the same month a year earlier. The increase is due to the increase in the number of dairy cattle. Average production per animal actually fell slightly.
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In the 24 major dairy states of the United States, 8.164.660 tons of milk were delivered to processors. That is about 91.000 tons more than in August 2020, an increase of more than 1,1%. With the exception of the month of February (leap year 2020), milk production has been well above last year's levels all year.
Productivity decreased slightly
The number of dairy cattle that American farmers milked was responsible for the increase in production. Figures from the American Department of Agriculture (USDA) show that there were 112.000 more cows on farms than in August last year. The average milk production per cow actually declined slightly. This decreased by 0,45 kilos per cow per month in August.
The milk volume in August (8.164.660 tons) is also well above the 5-year average milk supplies for this month. The August average for August is 7.952.110 tons of milk. This means that current production is about 2,7% higher.
The growth of dairy farming in the state of South Dakota is striking. The number of cows here increased by no less than 22.000 in one year from 138.000 to 160.000. Milk volumes increased by 16%.