Milk production and cow numbers are down

Washington Ag April 21, 2009 The USDA reports that milk production during March in the 23 major producing states, which includes Washington, was down two-tenths of one percent compared to March of 2008. USDA analyst Shayle Shagum says dairy cow numbers are down from February and also from March of a year ago. Shagum: "This to a large extent reflects the fact that milk producers have been under stress with very poor returns and are liquidating cows as a result of this." Shagum says that liquidation is likely to accelerate. Shagum: "As we move through the year and momentum builds as a result of poor returns, and what we are looking for for the year is for milk production to probably to be about 1.2% below a year earlier." Prices for producers are expected to be down a full third from a year ago. Washington's milk production during March was down over four percent from March of 2008. Dairy cow numbers in Washington were down about six thousand head at 239-thousand compared to March of last year; down a thousand head from this February. Cooperatives Working Together is currently conducting bidding for another dairy herd retirement round. Bids are being accepted through May 1st. CWT says interest is high in this the 7th herd retirement round. A review of all the bids will occur in the third week of May, and audits of successful bidders' farms will start in the following week. All bidders will be notified whether or not their bid has been accepted no later than June 19, 2009. I'm Bob Hoff and that's Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.