April milk production in the top 23 states was up just 1.7 percent over a year ago. This represents a slowing of milk production growth from earlier this year. Milk production nationally during the first quarter of 2011 was up 2.2 percent. Across the U.S., milk production was up 1.5 percent in April.
There were 97,000 or 1.2 percent more cows in the top 23 states this April than there were a year ago. Milk per cow was up 0.5 percent. There were 78,000 more cows in the U.S. this April for a gain of 0.9 percent. Milk per cow in the U.S. was up 0.67 percent. The U.S. cow count in April was 9.186 million head which was 8,000 more than in March.
Among top states, California was up 2.6 percent in milk during April. Most of that gain came from a 1.8 percent rise in milk per cow.
Wisconsin was down in milk production for the first time in many months. It was down 0.1 percent. The Badger State had 5,000 or 0.4 percent more cows this April but was down 0.6 percent in milk per cow.
New York remained No. 3 in milk again, outproducing Idaho by 3 million pounds during April. Cow numbers remained flat in New York (610,000 head), but milk output went up 0.8 percent on an 0.8 percent gain in milk per cow.
Idaho milk output was up 4.6 percent in April. That came about as a result of a 19,000-head (3.4 percent) rise in cows and a 1.1 percent boost in milk per cow.
Fifth-place Pennsylvania was down 0.8 percent in milk production during April because of a drop in milk per cow.
Three states made big gains in milk production during April. Arizona was up 8.2 percent with a 9.4 percent (19,000 head) rise in cows. Colorado was up 7.8 percent in milk with 9,000 or 7.7 percent more cows. Texas was up 7.2 percent in milk with a 16,000 head or 3.9 percent rise in cow numbers.
