Thousands of milk producers across the country, including approximately 500 producers in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming will receive surveys from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), as the agency collects information for the October 2021 Milk Production Survey. 

“The dairy industry is an important component of the Mountain Region’s agricultural economy, and it is crucial for all involved to have access to accurate data.” said Bill Meyer, Director, Mountain Regional Field Office. 

NASS conducts the Milk Production survey every January, April, July, and October. The survey asks producers to provide the number of milk cows in their herd, cows milked, and total milk production for the first day of the month. In addition to Milk, the October survey will also ask producers to provide data on hay purchased to feed the dairy herd and herd replacement prices, as well as value per ton of corn silage on hand. By participating in the survey, milk producers can ensure that NASS provides timely, accurate, and useful data that all sectors of the U.S. milk industry can use to make sound business decisions. 

“At NASS, we have a strong commitment to respondent confidentiality,” Meyer said. “We are required by law, to protect the privacy of all responses and publish data only in aggregate form, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified.” 

Survey results will be published in the quarterly Milk Production report released October 20, 2021.