Milk production was + 0.1% YOY in September, following a revised 0.4% YOY increase for August. This compares to the originally published August decline of 0.1% YOY. National milk solids output improved even more, +1.7% YOY in September.

September cow numbers were unchanged from the prior month but still declined 38,000 head YOY. National dairy cow numbers have now declined in 16 consecutive months in YOY terms, but average yields per cow have increased monthly since July. This time, the government “found” 3,000 more cows in August, but made downward revisions between April and July.

California supplies were flat YOY, as the state was hit with hot weather and HPAI cases, better than the market had anticipated. The Upper Midwest was marginally down with herds no longer growing, while milk production in Desert States increased 0.4% YOY.