U.S. milk production rose about 1.6% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary May Milk Production report, released June 20, 2025.
May 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for May 2025 compared to May 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.93 billion pounds, up 1.6%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.455 million, up 114,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,110 pounds, up 7 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 19.137 billion pounds, up 1.7%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.004 million, up 118,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,125 pounds, up 7 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, June 20, 2025
Cow numbers higher
May 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.445 million head, up 114,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where May 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.004 million, also up 118,000 head from May 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 12 states had more cows than May one year ago; nine states had fewer cows. Texas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 76,000 head in May. That was partially offset by a combined 27,000-head reduction in Washington, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Florida.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in May 2025 and was up 7 pounds from May 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 7 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).
Florida showed per-cow output increased 105 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California declined by 40 pounds.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall May 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Sixteen states boosted production a combined 418 million pounds; seven states reduced production a combined 102 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 128 million pounds), Idaho (up 87 million pounds) and Kansas (up 56 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 64 million pounds), Washington (down 18 million pounds) and Illinois (down 6 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for May 2025, up 15.69% from May 2024 with South Dakota following at 9.55%. May 2025 production was down 3.97% from a year earlier in Illinois, 3.29% in Washington and 2.3% in Oregon.
