US milk production increased 3% in November according to the USDA. Average per cow yield was up 2.3% YOY for November, while cow numbers increased YOY for the eleventh consecutive month – up 0.7% YOY. Nationally, cow numbers were reported at 9,407m head, up 12,000 head from the prior month. The November expansion in milk supply was the strongest since January 2015, surprising many in the local industry.

Wisconsin output rose 2.7% YOY in November, the third consecutive monthly expansion. California’s milk supply rose for the eleventh consecutive month in November – up 2.6% YOY, but accounting for 16% of the national growth for the month. Among other major producers, November production increased the most in Texas – up 9.8% YOY, but also with solid 13.4% YOY growth in South Dakota. The YOY declines in Florida, Vermont, Arizona, Utah and Washington continued in November, however.