US milk production growth continues to improve, with national milk supplies rising 1.5% YOY in September according to the USDA. The overall increase in September was a result of a 0.1% YOY rise in cow numbers while yields were up 1.4% YOY. At 9,411m, cow numbers were down by 2,000 head relative to the prior month and 6,000 head above the same month in 2021.

Among major producing states, September milk production in Wisconsin rose by 0.9% YOY while California increased by 0.5% YOY. Milk production in Idaho, South Dakota, Texas and Iowa continued to improve at impressive rates. In contrast, milk collections fell in New Mexico (-3.5% YOY), Florida (-12.9% YOY), Ohio (-0.9% YOY), Michigan (-0.7% YOY), Illinois (-0.7% YOY) and Indiana (-1.7% YOY). Output in Washington fell YOY in every single month since May 2020, with the September decline at an 18-month low.