The USDA’s latest Milk Production report shows declines in U.S. milk production for the final two months of 2024 compared to 2023. November milk production across 24 major states was revised to 17.3 billion pounds, down 0.3% year-over-year. This was up 0.5% from the preliminary estimate. December production totaled 18.0 billion pounds. This was a 0.4% decrease from December 2023.

Oregon experienced the most significant year-over-year production drop for December. Production decreased 8.2%. California, the nation’s top milk producer, also saw a 6.8% decrease in December. Texas led production with a 7.5% gain.

Milk production per cow in December averaged 2,020 pounds. This is 11 pounds lower than the previous year. This marks the second consecutive month of decline. In November, production per cow was also down. It averaged 1,936 pounds.

Despite lower yields per cow, the number of milk cows in the top 24 states increased to 8.91 million head. This is 17,000 head more than in December 2023.

Read more from the USDA Milk Production report here.