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US milk supply out of the red again
For the first time in months, milk supply figures in the United States show no further decline, according to figures from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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In the 24 most important dairy states, production last month amounted to 8,19 million tons. With an increase of 0,1% compared to the same month a year earlier, there is hardly any increase. However, the months-long decline has stopped. The production figures have shown a decline all year long. Except in February, but that was because this year is a leap year.
The cautious recovery of milk production is a result of the fact that the number of dairy cows did not decrease further in August compared to a month earlier. With 9,33 million cows, the US still milks about 40.000 cows less than a year earlier. However, this is offset by a higher production per cow.
Bird flu in California
In California, the largest dairy state in the US, production was 2% higher last month than a year earlier. However, more and more reports of dairy farms infected with bird flu are coming from that state. In the meantime, 25 farms have been affected, the USDA recently reported. These farms are subject to a quarantine obligation to prevent further spread of the virus.
Furthermore, the 7,8% increase in Texas is striking. In other large dairy states on the east coast of the country, such as New York and Wisconsin, production is under pressure.