Prices for U.S. replacement dairy cows kept rising into the fourth quarter of 2025, reaching their highest level on record in October, according to latest quarterly estimates from the USDA. Meanwhile, average cull cow prices reached a peak in September 2025, held relatively steady in October and showed signs of stabilization as the year closes.

The milk production forecast for 2025 is unchanged from the previous month, based on the data in the most recent Milk Production report. Estimated at 231.4 billion pounds, it was unchanged from November’s report.

Due to the government shutdown, the USDA resumed its monthly Livestock Slaughter report released on Dec. 1. Based on latest USDA monthly data, the number of dairy cull cows marketed through U.S. slaughter plants in October 2025 was estimated at 243,000.

It isn’t the tree or the presents under it that define the holiday. It’s the people who gather around, the shared stories and the traditions passed year to year from generation to generation. And it’s that sense of family and of gratitude that truly fills the heart.

Twenty states including California, Idaho and Kansas boosted milk production a combined 766 million pounds in October.

The milk production forecast for 2025 is raised from the previous report based on higher milk cow inventories and robust milk per cow through the third quarter of 2025. Estimated at 231.4 billion pounds, it was raised 1,400 million pounds from September’s report.

Twenty states including Idaho, Texas and New York boosted milk production a combined 789 million pounds in September.