U.S. milk production rose about 3.2% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary January Milk Production report, released Feb. 20.
January 2025-26 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for January 2026 compared to January 2025:
- U.S. milk production: 19.81 billion pounds, up 3.2%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.58 million, up 189,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,068 pounds, up 24 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 19.058 billion pounds, up 3.4%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.154 million, up 200,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,082 pounds, up 24 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, Feb. 20, 2026
Cow numbers higher
January 2026 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.58 million head, up 189,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where January 2026 cow numbers were estimated at 9.154 million, also up 200,000 head from January 2025 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 17 states had more cows than January one year ago; four states had fewer cows. Kansas and Texas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 82,000 head in January. That was partially offset by a combined 28,000-head reduction in Washington and Pennsylvania.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in January 2026 and was up 24 pounds from January 2025. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 24 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 90 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 45-pound increase in Texas.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall January 2026 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Nineteen states boosted production a combined 712 million pounds; five states reduced production a combined 77 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were California (up 158 million pounds), Texas (up 113 million pounds) and Kansas (up 96 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 31 million pounds), Pennsylvania (down 25 million pounds) and New Mexico (down 19 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for January 2026, up 26.09% from January 2025, with South Dakota following at 10.9% and Texas at 7.61%. January 2026 production was down 6.07% from a year earlier in Washington and 3.76% in New Mexico.
