U.S. milk production rose about 1.5% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary April Milk Production report, released May 21.
April 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for April 2025 compared to April 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.37 billion pounds, up 1.5%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.425 million, up 89,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,055 pounds, up 11 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.601 billion pounds, up 1.6%
- 24-state cow numbers: 8.983 million, up 93,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,071 pounds, up 12 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, May 21, 2025
Cow numbers higher
April 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.425 million head, up 89,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where April 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 8.983 million, also up 93,000 head from April 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 11 states had more cows than April one year ago; 10 states had fewer cows. Texas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 78,000 head in April. That was partially offset by a combined 25,000-head reduction in Washington, Wisconsin and Florida.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in April 2025 and was up 11 pounds from April 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 12 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 95 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California declined by 30 pounds.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall April 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Eighteen states boosted production a combined 387 million pounds; six states reduced production a combined 91 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 145 million pounds), Idaho (up 59 million pounds) and Kansas (up 39 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 49 million pounds), Washington (down 24 million pounds) and Florida (down 7 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for April 2025, up 11.37% from April 2024 with Texas following at 10.61%. April 2025 production was down 4.51% from a year earlier in Washington, 3.66% in Florida and 2.01% in Illinois.
