U.S. milk production rose about 0.9% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary March Milk Production report, released April 22.
March 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for March 2025 compared to March 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.848 billion pounds, up 0.9%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.404 million, up 57,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,111 pounds, up 6 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 19.049 billion pounds, up 1%
- 24-state cow numbers: 8.964 million, up 72,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,125 pounds, up 4 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, April 22, 2025
Cow numbers higher
March 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.404 million head, up 57,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where March 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 8.964 million, also up 72,000 head from March 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 10 states had more cows than March one year ago; 10 states had fewer cows. Texas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 74,000 head in March. That was partially offset by a combined 20,000-head reduction in Washington, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in March 2025 and was up 6 pounds from March 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 4 pounds from the same month a year earlier.
Affected by regional weather factors, variations in feed costs and income margins, the difference in output per cow among those states was wide (Table 2).
Georgia showed per-cow output increased 75 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California declined by 45 pounds.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall March 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Fifteen states boosted production a combined 303 million pounds; seven states reduced production a combined 115 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 134 million pounds), Idaho (up 62 million pounds) and South Dakota (up 21 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 75 million pounds), Washington (down 23 million pounds) and Florida (down 7 million pounds).
Texas was the milk percentage growth leader for March 2025, up 9.36% from March 2024 with South Dakota following at 5.08%. March 2025 production was down 4.25% from a year earlier in Washington, 3.63% in Florida and 3.25% in Illinois.
