Cool July made for milk-making weather in the Midwest

Cow comfort was running high as cool weather ushered in some of the best summertime milk-making weather. When reviewing the July milk production numbers in our Friday, August 28, blog, you will note that Midwest milk production was up 3.9 to 5.9 percent in six states which rank among the top 20 nationally for milk production. It just so happens that all six of those states had regions within their state that experienced record lows for the combination of daily highs and lows, making heat stress a nonissue throughout the area.

Only two states in the continental U.S. posted temperatures cooler than Minnesota and Wisconsin. So it came as no surprise that those two states lead the nation for July milk, up 5.9 and 5.8 percent, respectively. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports Wisconsin posted the second coolest July on record, while Minnesota had its third coolest July.

Meanwhile, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana were up 3.9 to 4.8 percent on July milk, and each of these three states experienced the coolest July on record. And neighboring Michigan, with the coolest July on the U.S. mainland was up 4.6 percent. Michigan's combination average of 63.5 for the daily high and low was second coolest on record.

While these cool temperatures have been great for cows, the corn and soybean crop is behind schedule. Cool temperatures simply mean crops are behind on maturity due to the fact there are not enough Growing Degree Days (heat units) compared to the average summer. An early frost could have a huge impact on the corn and soybean harvest.