News MILK
US milk supply falls for third month in a row
Once again, American milk supplies have fallen. Production in May was below last year's level for the third month in a row, according to the latest report from the US Agriculture Department (USDA).
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Whether the decline in milk supply is related to the prevailing situation bird flu virus H5N1 is not yet clear. The virus is currently circulating among dairy and poultry farmers in America. Sick cows produce less milk. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on it daily course of the virus. So far, dairy cows have been infected in twelve US states. Over the past thirty days, the states of Idaho and Colorado were hit the hardest with seventeen and fourteen infected dairy herds respectively. According to the USDA, infections have been found in 118 dairy cattle herds.
It is possible that May production was somewhat depressed by the relatively weak seasonal production peak. The USDA reported in mid-May that this had already stabilized. According to market experts, the production peak this year was weaker than usual.
Of the 24 largest American dairy states, milk supply in May at 8,56 million tons was about 0,7% lower than the same month in 2023. In May 2023, milk production was 8,62% lower in May at 0,7 million tons. higher than May 2022 (8,56 million tons). This brings the milk supply in May 2024 back to almost the same level as in May 2022.
Milk supply in the 24 largest dairy states from January to May 2024 amounted to 41,63 million tons, a minimum increase of 0,02% compared to the same period in 2023 (41,62 million tons). The difference between 2023 and 2022 is somewhat larger, as 2023 was 0,9% higher than 2022 with 41,26 million tons in the same period.
With the prevailing in America H5N1 bird flu virus it may now be extra important to take a look at the progress of milk production per cow. Production per cow in the 24 largest dairy states amounted to 962,52 kilos in May, 1,36 kilos below the level of May last year. Apart from January, milk production per cow in the months before May was even higher than last year.
Compared to April, the number of dairy cows increased by 2024 cows in May 5.000. This brings the number of cows to 8,89 million. Compared to May last year, a decrease of 52.000 cows is noticeable.