California Remains Top Milk Production State, Nov. 2013
Sources:
USDA-NASS publication “Milk Production”
USDA-ERS publication: “Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook”
California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB)
CDFA
CDFA reported the top five milk production states in November 2013 were:
(Percent Change from Same Month/Previous Year)
1. California +0.6%
2. Wisconsin -0.6%
3. New York +2.1%
4. Idaho -1.8%
5. Pennsylvania -0.2%
California has been the nation’s leading dairy state since 1993, when it surpassed Wisconsin in milk production. California is ranked first in the U.S. in the production of total milk, butter, ice cream, nonfat dry milk, and whey protein concentrate. California is second in cheese production.
USDA estimates overall monthly milk production across the U.S. was up by 0.1% in November 2013, compared to November 2012. California milk production increased 0.6% compared to November 2012 (on 1,000 more cows and 10 more pounds of milk per cow).
California accounts for 21% of the United States’ milk production. In 2012, California produced 42 billion pounds of milk – more than one-fifth of the nation’s total production. Approximately 40 percent of the total U.S. dairy product exports in 2012 came from California.
Dairy farming is a leading agricultural commodity in California, producing $7 billion in annual retail sales in 2012. Currently there are more than 1,500 California dairy families, whose farms house 1.82 million milk cows. Approximately one out of every five dairy cows in the U.S. lives in California.
California’s milk standards exceed federal standards because California processors add nonfat milk solids, which offer improved taste and nutritional benefits. California milk exceeds the federal guidelines for the amounts of calcium and protein in each serving.
