U.S. milk production rose about 3.2% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary August Milk Production report, released Sept. 22.
August 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for August 2025 compared to August 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.52 billion pounds, up 3.2%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.52 million, up 176,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,050 pounds, up 27 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.768 billion pounds, up 3.3%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.075 million, up 172,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,068 pounds, up 28 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Sept. 22, 2025
Cow numbers higher
August 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.52 million head, up 176,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where August 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.075 million, also up 172,000 head from August 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 16 states had more cows than August one year ago; 6 states had fewer cows. Idaho and Kansas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 86,000 head in August. That was partially offset by a combined 29,000-head reduction in Washington, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in August 2025 and was up 27 pounds from August 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 28 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 85 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 55-pound increase in Georgia.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall August 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Nineteen states boosted production a combined 654 million pounds; four states reduced production a combined 50 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Idaho (up 121 million pounds), Texas (up 87 million pounds) and Kansas (up 73 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 43 million pounds) and Illinois (down 5 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for August 2025, up 20.45% from August 2024 with South Dakota following at 11.27%. August 2025 production was down 8.05% from a year earlier in Washington and 3.73% in Illinois.
