U.S. milk production rose about 4.4% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary December Milk Production report, released Jan. 23, 2026.
December 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for December 2025 compared to December 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 19.568 billion pounds, up 4.4%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.567 million, up 212,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,045 pounds, up 41 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.823 billion pounds, up 4.6%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.138 million, up 222,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,060 pounds, up 42 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Jan. 23, 2026
Cow numbers higher
December 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.567 million head, up 212,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where December 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 9.138 million, also up 222,000 head from December 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 18 states had more cows than December one year ago; five states had fewer cows. Kansas and Idaho led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 85,000 head in December. That was partially offset by a combined 29,000-head reduction in Washington and Pennsylvania.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in December 2025 and was up 41 pounds from December 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 42 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 175 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 35-pound increase in Georgia.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall December 2025 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Nineteen states boosted production a combined 904 million pounds; five states reduced production a combined 77 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were California (up 305 million pounds), Kansas (up 94 million pounds) and Idaho (up 81 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 30 million pounds), New Mexico (down 24 million pounds) and Pennsylvania (down 20 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for December 2025, up 26.18% from December 2024, with South Dakota following at 11.37% and California at 9.62%. December 2025 production was down 6% from a year earlier in Washington and 4.86% in New Mexico.
