U.S. milk production rose about 2.3% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary May Milk Production report, released June 22.
May 2025-26 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for May 2026 compared to May 2025:
- U.S. milk production: 20.565 billion pounds, up 2.3%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.665 million, up 184,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,128 pounds, up 8 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 19.767 billion pounds, up 2.4%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.225 million, up 182,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,143 pounds, up 8 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, June 22, 2026
Cow numbers higher
May 2026 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.665 million head, up 184,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where May 2026 cow numbers were estimated at 9.225 million, also up 182,000 head from May 2025 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 18 states had more cows than May one year ago; six states had fewer cows. Kansas and Wisconsin led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 70,000 head in May. That was partially offset by a combined 15,000-head reduction in Washington and Pennsylvania.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in May 2026 and was up 8 pounds from May 2025. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also up 8 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 65 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 25-pound increase in Washington and a 20-pound increase in California and Ohio.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall May 2026 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Nineteen states boosted production a combined 494 million pounds; five states reduced production a combined 25 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Kansas (up 89 million pounds), Wisconsin (up 65 million pounds) and Texas (up 63 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Pennsylvania (down 16 million pounds) and Washington (down 4 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for May 2026, up 21.19% from May 2025, with Oregon following at 7.08% and Florida at 4.84%. May 2026 production was down 1.89% from a year earlier in Pennsylvania and 0.93% in Vermont.
