SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

NEWS RELEASE
United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
South Dakota Field Office - Sioux Falls, SD

Media contact: South Dakota Office, 605/323-6500
Email:  nass-sd@nass.usda.gov


JANUARY - MARCH 2006 MILK PRODUCTION UP


SIOUX FALLS, April 18, 2006 -- The January - March 2006 
quarterly milk production for South Dakota totaled 364 million 
pounds, 4 percent above last year’s 350 million pounds and 2 
percent above last quarter, according to the South Dakota office 
of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

During the first quarter of 2006, the average number of milk 
cows, at 81,000, is unchanged from last year.  This is also 
unchanged from last quarter.

During 2005, the number of milk cows averaged 81,000, up 1,000 
head from the previous year.  Milk produced per cow averaged 
17,741 pounds, up from 16,838 pounds in 2004.  Total milk 
produced in 2005, at 1,437 million pounds, was up 7 percent 
from 2004.


Access this complete report at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/dairy/pmp-bb/2006/mkpr0406.pdf