Preliminary 2012 Milk, Cow Estimates Up
With the December 2012 preliminary estimates, USDA provided the first glimpse of 2012 totals for cow numbers and milk production. U.S. cow numbers averaged 9.231 million head for the year, up 37,000 head from 2011. Milk output per cow averaged 21,697 lbs., a 352-lb. gain from 2011.
Cow numbers in the 23 major dairy states averaged 8.499 million head in 2012, 50,000 more than 2011. Output per cow averaged 21,958 lbs. in 2012, 331 lbs. more than 2011.
U.S. milk production reached 200.28 billion lbs. in 2012, up 2.1% from 2011. Major dairy state production was estimated at 186.62 billion lbs., also up 2.1% from the year before. Final 2012 estimates will be included in USDA’s February Milk Production report.