Milk production declined for the sixth consecutive month in April – down 1% YOY according to the USDA. The contraction was relatively stronger when compared to the 0.4% YOY decline in March. The overall decline in April was a result of a 1% YOY decline in cow numbers while yields were flat. At 9,402m, cow numbers were unchanged from the prior month and 98,000 head below the same month in 2021.

Among major producing states, April milk production in Wisconsin fell by 0.1% YOY. California was also lower, down 0.6% YOY, while New Mexico again posted the largest decline among all states – down 12.9% YOY, which was the tenth consecutive monthly contraction.

Milk supplies also continued to decline in Washington (-5.4% YOY), Pennsylvania (-2.2% YOY), Ohio (-3.8% YOY) and Michigan (-3.4% YOY). On a positive note, milk production in South Dakota and Texas continued to improve at impressive rates, up 16.7% YOY and 4.7% YOY respectively.