U.S. Milk Production Rises 5.4%

WASHINGTON - Feb 17/06 - SNS -- Milk production is up in the United States, rising 5.4% above year earlier levels in the 23 major States to 14.0 billion pounds in January, reports the USDA. December production, at 13.6 billion pounds, was up 4.1% from December 2004.

Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,711 pounds for January, 68 pounds above January 2005. The number of cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.19 million head, 103,000 head more than January 2005, and 11,000 head more than December 2005.

The annual production of milk for the U.S. during 2005 was 177 billion pounds, 3.5% above 2004. Revisions to 2004 production increased the annual total 129 million pounds. Revised 2005 production was up 0.3% or 498 million pounds from last month's publication.

Production per cow in the U.S. averaged 19,576 pounds for 2005, 609 pounds above 2004. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 19.1% from 1996.

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