U.S. milk production rose about 2.7% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary April Milk Production report, released May 22.
April 2025-26 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for April 2026 compared to April 2025:
- U.S. milk production: 19.96 billion pounds, up 2.7%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.645 million, up 190,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,069 pounds, up 14 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 19.176 billion pounds, up 2.8%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.21 million, up 193,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,082 pounds, up 13 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, May 22, 2026
Cow numbers higher
April 2026 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.645 million head, up 190,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where April 2026 cow numbers were estimated at 9.21 million, also up 193,000 head from April 2025 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 19 states had more cows than April one year ago; five states had fewer cows. Kansas and Wisconsin led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 75,000 head in April. 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 April 2026 and was up 14 pounds from April 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).
Georgia showed per-cow output increased 70 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 40-pound increase in California and a 20-pound increase in Kansas and Ohio.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall April 2026 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Nineteen states boosted production a combined 574 million pounds; five states reduced production a combined 57 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Kansas (up 94 million pounds), California (up 79 million pounds) and Wisconsin (up 79 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 36 million pounds) and Pennsylvania (down 17 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for April 2026, up 23.74% from April 2025 with Oregon following at 7.35% and South Dakota at 6.32%. April 2026 production was down 6.99% from a year earlier in Washington and 2.02% in Pennsylvania.
