Country World Archives 2001-2008
Despite fewer producers, Texas milk production on the rise
By DAVY MOSELEY | Country World East Texas
May 3, 2001 -- Total milk production for Texas was down 15.47 percent in March from last year, and dropped below 1,000 dairies to 991 operations.
The downward spiral was prompted by sweeping decreases in milk production in nine of the top 10 milk-producing Texas counties over the course of the year. Taking the good with the bad, the steady decline was curbed in March as all 10 counties recorded production increases from February-to-March, according to the April Milk Market Administrator's Report.
Erath County remains top dog despite a 16.61 percent loss in production from March of last year, but gained approximately 13.7 million pounds from February to March. Erath County fell from 148 producers in March 2000, to 136 in March of this year.
Hopkins County, still in the number two spot, bore a 12.25 percent decrease in milk production in one year's time, but, like Erath, lauded a month-to-month production increase of approximately 6.7 million pounds. Hopkins County dropped from 212 producers in March 2000, to 188 in March of this year.
Comanche County, in at number three, sustained a production loss of 10.68 percent over the year, but can boast a production increase of approximately 4.8 million pounds from February to March.
El Paso, following the trend, showed a production loss of 4.93 percent over the course of the year, and a February-to-March production increase of approximately 2.3 million pounds. The number of producers in El Paso County have remained constant at eight operations from March 2000 to March of this year.
Archer County, riding the fence at the number five spot, showed a loss in production of 14.03 percent from last year, and a monthly increase of 2.8 percent. Archer maintained a steady number of producers at 58 operations.
Wood County bore a 19.88 percent loss in production from March 200 to March of this year, but showed a monthly increase of 1.5 million pounds. Wood County lost 10 producers over the year setting at 49 operations in March 2001.
Hamilton County's 18 milk producers recorded a production loss of 12.39 percent from March of last year, but showed a month-to-month increase of 1.8 million pounds.
Lamb County, the black sheep of the top-10 lineup, heralded a 18.46 percent increase in production from March of last year, as well as a monthly production increase of 1.6 million pounds of milk for March 2001. Lamb County's three powerhouse producers were not even among the top-10 lineup in March 2000.
Johnson County stomached the largest annual production loss at 27.75 percent, but still managed to curb their February to March losses by showing an increase in production to the tune of 1.1 million pounds of milk. Johnson County has seen a steady decline in milk producers over the year, ending March with 26 operations.
Tom Green County, capping the top-10 lineup, recorded the smallest loss in milk production for the 12-month period at only 3.86 percent, and showed a slight production increase from February to March at 1.2 million pounds of milk. Tom Green County, with nine producers, was not among the Milk Market Administrator's top-10 list in March 2000.