With 28 days in February, the milk production report was obviously going to differ from previous months. Comparing a leap year versus a non-leap year in 2023, February milk production was up 2.4%. However, on a per-day basis, production was down 1.1%. Milk cows totaled 9.3 million head, 10,000 more than in January 2024, but down 89,000 compared to a year ago.
Several states showed a steep decline, including New Mexico, which lost 97 million lbs. of milk with 42,000 fewer cows. Other states showing a decline included:
Texas was down, 56 million lbs. and 15,000 cows.
Idaho dropped 29 million lbs. and 1,000 cows.
Oregon was down 19 million lbs.
Minnesota dropped 18 million lbs.
By KAREN BOHNERT
March 29, 2024
