U.S. milk production rose about 3.7% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary October Milk Production report, released Nov. 21.
October 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for October 2025 compared to October 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.47 billion pounds, up 3.7%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.575 million, up 208,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,033 pounds, up 29 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.727 billion pounds, up 3.9%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.138 million, up 211,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,049 pounds, up 30 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Nov. 21, 2025
Cow numbers higher
October 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.575 million head, up 208,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where October 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.138 million, also up 211,000 head from October 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 20 states had more cows than October one year ago; three states had fewer cows. Idaho and Kansas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 86,000 head in October. That was partially offset by a combined 28,000-head reduction in Washington and New Mexico.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in October 2025 and was up 29 pounds from October 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).
California showed per-cow output increased 125 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 105-pound increase in Florida.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall October 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty states boosted production a combined 766 million pounds; three states reduced production a combined 54 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were California (up 221 million pounds), Idaho (up 102 million pounds) and Kansas (up 77 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 38 million pounds) and New Mexico (down 22 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for October 2025, up 21.21% from October 2024 with South Dakota following at 9.35%. October 2025 production was down 7.34% from a year earlier in Washington and 4.43% in New Mexico.
