Factors Associated with Seasonality of Milk Production in New York State

Abstract

The effect of a base-excess seasonal pricing plan on pattern of production and the role played by various factors related to management and to breeding practices on seasonality of production were investigated. A mail survey of a randomly selected group of farmers in New York State provided the data; 1061 farmers responded to the questionnaire. Seasonality coefficient (difference between spring and fall production as a proportion of fall production) was used as a measure of seasonal production pattern. Three major conclusions were: 1) the use of a base-excess plan in addition to the Louisville plan reduced seasonality when compared with the Louisville plan alone; 2) seasonality was associated with region, type of housing, and herd production; and 3) farmers’ perceptions that spring milk production is more profitable than production in other seasons was an important cause of seasonality.