Idaho’s dairy industry increased milk production by 5.3 percent in July, a rate that enabled the state to surpass New York as the nation’s third leading milk producer.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show July milk production in Idaho totaled 1.12 billion pounds, up 5.2 percent from July 2009 and a four percent increase compared to June 2010.
The average number of milk cows in Idaho during July was 567,000, an increase of 17,000 from July 2009 and up 5,000 from June.
Idaho’s volume topped New York, which produced 1.1 billion pounds in July. Idaho still trails industry leader California, at 3.4 billion pounds for July, and Wisconsin, which produced 2.2 billion pounds.
For the last several years, Idaho and New York have frequently exchanged bragging rights as the nation’s third leading milk producing state. But with production on the rise in Idaho, and the state’s No. 3 ranking in cheese production, state officials say Idaho is poised to keep its spot ahead of the Empire State.
About 44 million gallons of Idaho’s milk is processed into fluid milk for drinking, but the majority – about 770 million pounds – is used to make cheese. (AP)
