U.S. milk production rose about 4% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary September Milk Production report, released Nov. 10, 2025.
September 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for September 2025 compared to September 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 18.99 billion pounds, up 4%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.581 million, up 228,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 1,982 pounds, up 30 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.279 billion pounds, up 4.2%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.146 million, up 235,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 1,999 pounds, up 30 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Nov.10, 2025
Cow numbers higher
September 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.581 million head, up 228,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where September 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.146 million, also up 235,000 head from September 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 18 states had more cows than September one year ago; five states had fewer cows. Idaho and Kansas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 91,000 head in September. That was partially offset by a combined 31,000-head reduction in Washington, Pennsylvania and New Mexico.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in September 2025 and was up 30 pounds from September 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 30 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 110 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by an 85-pound increase in Georgia.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall September 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty states boosted production a combined 789 million pounds; four states reduced production a combined 54 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Idaho (up 129 million pounds), Texas (up 103 million pounds) and New York (up 79 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 44 million pounds) and New Mexico (down 6 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for September 2025, up 21.13% from September 2024, with Georgia following at 9.8%. September 2025 production was down 8.54% from a year earlier in Washington and 1.53% in Illinois.
