U.S. milk production rose about 2.3% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary March Milk Production report, released April 22.
March 2025-26 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for March 2026 compared to March 2025:
- U.S. milk production: 20.391 billion pounds, up 2.3%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.621 million, up 187,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,119 pounds, up 7 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 19.591 billion pounds, up 2.4%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.183 million, up 188,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,133 pounds, up 7 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, April 22, 2026
Cow numbers higher
March 2026 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.621 million head, up 187,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where March 2026 cow numbers were estimated at 9.183 million, also up 188,000 head from March 2025 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 18 states had more cows than March one year ago; five states had fewer cows. Kansas and Texas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 78,000 head in March. That was partially offset by a combined 27,000-head reduction in Washington and Pennsylvania.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in March 2026 and was up 7 pounds from March 2025. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 7 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 20 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 15-pound increase in Iowa and Utah.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall March 2026 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty states boosted production a combined 535 million pounds; four states reduced production a combined 68 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Kansas (up 100 million pounds), Texas (up 74 million pounds) and Wisconsin (up 72 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 30 million pounds), Pennsylvania (down 20 million pounds) and New Mexico (down 17 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for March 2026, up 25.45% from March 2025 with South Dakota following at 6.90% and Utah at 5.88%. March 2026 production was down 5.77% from a year earlier in Washington and 3.16% in New Mexico.
