May milk production in the US has risen by 0.8% compared with the same month last year. Production reached 19.1 billion pounds in May 2018. This is the fifth consecutive month where US productions has increased, following a 0.5% rise in April compared with 2017.

There has also been increases in the number of cows, particularly across the 23 major dairy-producing states. There are 9.4 million cows in the US, with a rise of 3,000 head more than May 2017. Production per cow for the month of May was 2,031 pounds, 15 pounds above the previous year.

Overall production in milk for 2018 will be up for the US, with increases occurring since January. Milk production for 2019 is estimated to increase by a further 0.9%. Opening of stocks of milk are projected to be lower than 2018 levels. The production forecasts for 2019 have been lowered due to expected reductions in milk production per cow going forward.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read more

Global report: stories from around the world

Dairy markets: butter and cheese prices are starting to soften

Synlait poaches Fonterra brands director as new CEO