Milk production for October marked the first decline over last year since February as herd reductions and per cow production pulled down output.

USDA says production in the U.S. for the month totaled 18.5 billion pounds, down a half a percent from last year, with production per cow down six pounds from 2020.  

The herd size was down 14,000 head on the year and on the month. 

Jim Salfer with the University of Minnesota Extension says he believes hot weather this summer was more challenging for reproduction than in previous years in the Upper Midwest and beyond which will weigh on total production into next year.

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