U.S. milk production rose about 2.9% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary January Milk Production report, released March 20.
February 2025-26 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for February 2026 compared to February 2025:
- U.S. milk production: 18.255 billion pounds, up 2.9%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.615 million, up 211,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 1,899 pounds, up 12 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 17.559 billion pounds, up 3.1%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.183 million, up 217,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 1,912 pounds, up 13 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, March 20, 2026
Cow numbers higher
February 2026 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.615 million head, up 211,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where February 2026 cow numbers were estimated at 9.183 million, also up 217,000 head from February 2025 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 20 states had more cows than February one year ago; four states had fewer cows. Kansas and Texas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 85,000 head in February. 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 February 2026 and was up 12 pounds from February 2025. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 13 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 40 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 20-pound increase in Iowa.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall February 2026 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty states boosted production a combined 602 million pounds; four states reduced production a combined 64 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Kansas (up 97 million pounds), California (up 74 million pounds) and Texas (up 73 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were New Mexico (down 27 million pounds), Washington (down 21 million pounds) and Pennsylvania (down 15 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for February 2026, up 28.7% from February 2025, with South Dakota following at 10.61% and Utah at 7.23%. February 2026 production was down 5.7% from a year earlier in New Mexico and 4.53% in Washington.
