Texas milk volume increases as number of producers decrease

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Jan. 13, 2004 - The amount of milk produced in Texas continues to increase while the number of milk producers continues to decline, according to the Milk Market Administrator's Report released in December.

A total of 793 dairy producers generated 463.7 million pounds of milk within November 2004; while 826 farmers and 453.6 million pounds were on the books for November 2003.

A decade ago, Texas producers numbered 1,936 and the milk volume in November 1994 was 483.2 million pounds.

The November 1994 to November 2004 comparison shows a decrease of 1,143 milk producers within Texas, and a 19.5 million pound milk decrease.

A comparison of the decade shows the same three Texas counties holding the top three positions for the amount of milk produced: Erath, Hopkins, and Comanche (respectively).

In November 1994, Erath County had 203 producers generating 107.3 million pounds of milk. In November 2004, the county had 110 producers, and 95.9 million pounds of milk.

Hopkins County's 427 producers in November 1994 generated 68 million pounds of milk. In November 2004, the county's 149 producers recorded 39.2 million pounds.

A total of 55 milk producers, and 29 million pounds of milk were recorded in Comanche County in November 1994. A decade later, the county's 32 producers generated 37.5 million pounds of milk.

In November 1994, the counties of Johnson (69 producers, 18.9 million pounds of milk), El Paso (nine producers, 17.9 million pounds), Cherokee (47 producers, 14 million pounds), Hamilton (44 producers, 12.2 million pounds), and Franklin (61 producers, 10 million pounds) were on the state's Top 10 list. They were not on the Top 10 list in November 2004.

Several South Plains/Panhandle counties were on the Top 10 list in November 2004, but not in November 1994, including: Lamb (eight producers, 37.5 million pounds of milk), Hale (four producers, 20.4 million pounds), Castro (eight producers, 19.4 million pounds), Deaf Smith (six producers, 17.2 million pounds), and Parmer (five, 15.7 million).

Another interesting note is the milk increase for Hale and Castro counties within one year. Hale County's November 2004 total shows a 109.42 percent increase in milk over November 2003's production; and Castro County had a 53.30 percent increase in milk within the year.

Information also notes 2004 was a good year for milk prices. The All Milk price averaged close to $16 per hundredweight, up about $3 from 2003.