September Milk Production up slightly

Milk production in the 24 major States during December totaled 18.1 billion pounds, up slightly from December 2022. November revised production, at 17.3 billion pounds, was down 0.6 percent from November 2022. The November revision represented a decrease of 14 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.

Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,030 pounds for December, 1 pounds above December 2022.

The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 8.90 million head, 17,000 head less than December 2022, but unchanged from November 2023.

2022 Annual Milk Production up 0.1 percent from 2021
The annual production of milk for the United States in 2022 was 226 billion pounds, 0.1 percent above 2021. Revisions to 2021 production raised the annual total 35 million pounds. Revised 2022 production was down 158 million pounds from last month's publication. Annual total milk production has increased 12.5 percent from 2013.

Production per cow in the United States averaged 24,087 pounds for 2022, 138 pounds above 2021. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 10.4 percent from 2013.

The average number of milk cows on farms in the United States in 2022 was 9.40 million head, down 0.5 percent from 2021. The average number of milk cows was revised down 2,000 for 2022. The average annual number of milk cows has increased 1.9 percent from 2013.

The next update is January 2024


Milk production data for 24 selected states from USDA is released around the 18th of the month following the month for which the information applies. At the same time the current production figures are released, updated data for the previous month's milk production is released. This graph reflects the updated information.

The 24 states for which the USDA reports milk production are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.