The January milk production report this week showed a modest rise of 0.9 percent in 24-state milk production in December 2019 vs. a year prior.

Production per cow (yield) was nearly unchanged YOY, and the total number of milk cows was unchanged from both the prior month and year-ago levels.

Total milk production across all 50 states was fractionally higher in 2019, up 0.3 percent YOY at 218.3 billion pounds. Total herd is still down YOY by approximately 67,000 head, but the trade believes that farms are poised to add numbers in 2020.

Milder winter temps and the progress of the Phase One of the U.S.-China trade deal are encouraging producers to be more optimistic, but the recent outbreak of coronavirus and travel bans across Asia may undermine some of this enthusiasm.

Total U.S. dairy herd


Source: USDA
Posted by: Information Services
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