USA: Weather puts a lid on February milk production growth

With wet weather impacting cow comfort and productivity in the West, February 2023 growth in cow numbers was partially offset by a minimal increase in milk output per cow, slowing overall growth in milk production compared to a year ago. February 2022-23 recap at a glance Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for February 2023 compared to February 2022: U.S. milk production: 17.675 billion pounds, up 0.8% U.S. cow numbers: 9.417 million, up 37,000 head U.S. average milk per cow: 1,877 pounds, up 7 pounds 24-state milk production: 16.91 billion pounds, up 1% 24-state cow numbers: 8.939 million, up 54,000 head 24-state average milk per cow: 1,892 pounds, up 7 pounds Source: USDA Milk Production report, March 20, 2023 Cow numbers higher Preliminary February 2023 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.417 million head, up 37,000 from a year earlier and 12,000 more than January. U.S. cow numbers were the highest since May 2022. Among the 24 major dairy states (Table 1), February 2023 ...