Washington milk production continues its increase; outlook for meat consumption
Washington Ag Today December 21, 2011 Dairy producers in Washington increased output 4.4 percent in November compared to November of 2010. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports dairy cow numbers in the state last month were 263-thousand head, up ten thousand from November a year ago but down three-thousand from October of this year. Production per cow also increased this November. In its most recent supply and demand report the USDA slightly raised its U.S. milk production forecasts for 2011 and 2012 reflecting higher growth in milk per cow and more cows. World Outlook Board Chairman Gerry Bange says those changes led to small changes in price forecasts. Bange: “We did come down on the all milk price, $20.10. That is down a nickel from our previous forecasts for 2011.” For 2012 the all milk price forecast is $18.50 a hundredweight. For specific milk classes; Bange: “In the case of 2012, we went up 15 cents on the Class III price and down ten cents on the Class IV price. Bottom line is that was pretty much a washout.” 09 Analysts with the CME’s Daily Livestock Report say USDA’s December forecasts indicate another sharp drop in U.S. domestic meat and poultry consumption is coming in 2012. The analysts say the data indicate the average American will consume 12.2 percent less meat and poultry in 2012 than they did in 2007. Among the reasons, cost and attitudes both within and without government against meat protein. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net. ?
