U.S. milk production rose about 4.5% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary November Milk Production report, released Dec. 22, 2025.
November 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for November 2025 compared to November 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 18.79 billion pounds, up 4.5%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.57 million, up 211,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 1,963 pounds, up 41 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.078 billion pounds, up 4.7%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.133 million, up 214,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 1,979 pounds, up 43 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Dec. 22, 2025
Cow numbers higher
November 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.57 million head, up 211,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where November 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.133 million, also up 214,000 head from November 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 19 states had more cows than November one year ago; three states had fewer cows. Kansas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 85,000 head in November. That was partially offset by a combined 26,000-head reduction in Washington and New Mexico.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in November 2025 and was up 41 pounds from November 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 43 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 180 pounds per cow compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 55 pound increase in Florida and Georgia.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall November 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty states boosted production a combined 863 million pounds; four states reduced production a combined 55 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were California (up 312 million pounds), Kansas (up 92 million pounds) and Idaho (up 78 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 32 million pounds) and New Mexico (down 13 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for November 2025, up 26.36% from November 2024, with South Dakota following at 10.76% and California at 10.4%. November 2025 production was down 6.58% from a year earlier in Washington and 2.77% in New Mexico.
