Milk production in Iowa during October 2018 totaled 432 million pounds, down 1 percent from the previous October according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during October, at 220,000 head, was unchanged from last month but 1,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,965 pounds, down 30 pounds from last October.
Milk production in the 23 major States during October totaled 16.9 billion pounds, up 1.0 percent from October 2017. September revised production, at 16.4 billion pounds, was up 1.5 percent from September 2017. The September revision represented a decrease of 2 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month’s preliminary production estimate.
Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,934 pounds for October, 20 pounds above October 2017. This is the highest production per cow for the month of October since the 23 State series began in 2003.
The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.72 million head, 8,000 head less than October 2017, and 1,000 head less than September 2018.
Milk production in the United States during October totaled 17.9 billion pounds, up 0.8 percent from October 2017.
Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,912 pounds for October, 21 pounds above October 2017.
The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.37 million head, 30,000 head less than October 2017, and 2,000 head less than September 2018.