While milk production fell overall in both Tulare and Kings counties in the first half of 2013 the two neighboring counties added to their state market share for milk production.
The latest numbers are from CDFA’s Mid-Year statistics report.
Number one Tulare County produced 1.5% less milk in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2012 according to CDFA (see chart). Kings County milk production also fell by a heftier 3.25%.
Kings is the state’s number three milk production county.
But aded together the two counties that share the Tulare Lake Basin pumped out 38% of the milk produced in California – up from a combined 37% in 2012. It was a combined 35% in 2005.
The higher comparative percent share comes as Southland counties milk production fell even more this year. San Bernardino County milk production was down over 22%. and Riverside was down 7.5% as the traditional LA region dairy industry continues to shrink.
Statewide milk production dropped -2.9%