U.S. milk production rose about 2.3% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary June Milk Production report, released July 22.
June 2025-26 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for June 2026 compared to June 2025:
- U.S. milk production: 19.705 billion pounds, up 2.3%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.677 million, up 192,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 2,036 pounds, up 6 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 18.93 billion pounds, up 2.4%
- 24-state cow numbers: 9.231 million, up 185,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 2,051 pounds, up 7 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, July 22, 2026
Cow numbers higher
June 2026 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.677 million head, up 192,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where June 2026 cow numbers were estimated at 9.231 million, also up 185,000 head from June 2025 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 20 states had more cows than June one year ago; three states had fewer cows. Kansas and Wisconsin led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 63,000 head in June. That was partially offset by a combined 7,000-head reduction in Washington and Pennsylvania. Vermont was unchanged.
Milk output per cow higher
The national average in monthly milk output per cow increased in June 2026 and was up 6 pounds from June 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).
Georgia showed per-cow output increased 70 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, followed by a 20-pound increase in Pennsylvania and a 15-pound increase in Minnesota and Texas.
Milk production higher
The preliminary estimate of overall June 2026 milk production was higher than the same month a year earlier.
Twenty-two states boosted production a combined 444 million pounds; two states reduced production a combined 3 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Texas (up 74 million pounds), Kansas (up 68 million pounds) and Wisconsin (up 42 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were Washington (down 2 million pounds) and Virginia (down 1 million pounds).
Kansas was the milk percentage growth leader for June 2026, up 16.71% from June 2025, with Oregon following at 8.13% and Georgia at 5.85%. June 2026 production was down 0.87% from a year earlier in Virginia and 0.42% in Washington.
