U.S. milk production rose about 3.4% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary July Milk Production report, released Aug. 21.
July 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for July 2025 compared to July 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.57 billion pounds, up 3.4%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.485 million, up 159,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,063 pounds, up 34 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.812 billion pounds, up 3.5%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.04 million, up 154,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,081 pounds, up 36 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Aug. 21, 2025
Cow numbers higher
July 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.485 million head, up 159,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where July 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.04 million, also up 154,000 head from July 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 15 states had more cows than July one year ago; seven states had fewer cows. Idaho and Texas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 87,000 head in July. That was partially offset by a combined 32,000-head reduction in Washington, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in July 2025 and was up 34 pounds from July 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 36 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 10 pounds.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall July 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Nineteen states boosted production a combined 598 million pounds; four states reduced production a combined 61 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were California (up 125 million pounds), Texas (up 119 million pounds) and Kansas (up 66 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 49 million pounds), Illinois (down 7 million pounds) and New Mexico (down 4 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for July 2025, up 18.64% from July 2024 with South Dakota following at 10.64%. July 2025 production was down 9.25% from a year earlier in Washington and 5% in Illinois.
