U.S. milk production rose about 3.3% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary June Milk Production report, released July 22, 2025.
June 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for June 2025 compared to June 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.233 billion pounds, up 3.3%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.469 million, up 146,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,031 pounds, up 33 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.465 billion pounds, up 3.4%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.029 million, up 151,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,045 pounds, up 33 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, July 22, 2025
Cow numbers higher
June 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.469 million head, up 146,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where June 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.029 million, also up 151,000 head from June 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 15 states had more cows than June one year ago; eight states had fewer cows. Texas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 90,000 head in June. That was partially offset by a combined 32,000-head reduction in Washington, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in June 2025 and was up 33 pounds from June 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 33 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 110 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in Washington declined by 20 pounds.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall June 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty states boosted production a combined 659 million pounds; three states reduced production a combined 55 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Idaho (up 135 million pounds), Texas (up 131 million pounds) and California (up 91 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 49 million pounds), Oregon (down 4 million pounds) and Pennsylvania (down 2 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for June 2025, up 19.05% from June 2024 with South Dakota following at 11.52%. June 2025 production was down 9.35% from a year earlier in Washington and 1.92% in Oregon.
