Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released November 21, 2025, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). October Milk Production up 3.9 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during October totaled 18.7 billion pounds, up 3.9 percent from October 2024. September revised production, at 18.2 billion pounds, was up 4.0 percent from September 2024. The September revision represented a decrease of 34 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,049 pounds for October, 30 pounds above October 2024. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 9.14 million head, 211,000 head more than October 2024, but 7,000 head less than September 2025. October Milk Production in the United States up 3.7 Percent Milk production in the United States during October totaled 19.5 billion pounds, up 3.7 percent from October 2024. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,033 pounds for October, 29 pounds above October 2024. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.58 million head, 208,000 head more than October 2024, but 6,000 head less than September 2025. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2024-2025 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :--------------------------------------------------------------------- Quarter : : : : : : : Change : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : from : : : : : : : 2024 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head ---- pounds ---- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,338 9,401 6,098 6,039 56,943 56,773 -0.3 April-June ......: 9,330 9,458 6,145 6,206 57,333 58,697 2.4 July-September ..: 9,341 9,540 6,004 6,099 56,085 58,187 3.7 October-December : 9,360 5,930 55,507 : Annual ..........: 9,342 24,178 225,868 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2024-2025 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : from : : : : : : : 2024 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,871 8,950 2,062 2,056 18,293 18,401 0.6 February ......: 8,888 8,955 1,961 1,900 17,432 17,011 -2.4 March .........: 8,892 8,976 2,121 2,125 18,861 19,075 1.1 April .........: 8,890 8,998 2,059 2,069 18,305 18,618 1.7 May ...........: 8,886 9,026 2,118 2,135 18,821 19,273 2.4 June ..........: 8,878 9,032 2,012 2,045 17,861 18,470 3.4 July ..........: 8,886 9,068 2,045 2,090 18,175 18,951 4.3 August ........: 8,903 9,108 2,040 2,065 18,164 18,812 3.6 September .....: 8,911 9,145 1,969 1,995 17,544 18,245 4.0 October .......: 8,927 9,138 2,019 2,049 18,025 18,727 3.9 November ......: 8,919 1,936 17,270 December ......: 8,916 2,018 17,996 : Annual ........: 8,897 24,362 216,747 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2024-2025 [May not add due to rounding. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change Month : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : from : : : : : : : 2024 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,324 9,390 2,047 2,042 19,083 19,173 0.5 February ......: 9,343 9,395 1,946 1,887 18,185 17,726 -2.5 March .........: 9,347 9,417 2,105 2,110 19,675 19,874 1.0 April .........: 9,336 9,436 2,044 2,055 19,082 19,390 1.6 May ...........: 9,331 9,466 2,103 2,120 19,624 20,071 2.3 June ..........: 9,323 9,472 1,998 2,031 18,627 19,236 3.3 July ..........: 9,326 9,499 2,029 2,073 18,918 19,688 4.1 August ........: 9,344 9,541 2,023 2,048 18,906 19,543 3.4 September .....: 9,353 9,581 1,952 1,978 18,261 18,956 3.8 October .......: 9,367 9,575 2,004 2,033 18,775 19,470 3.7 November ......: 9,359 1,922 17,988 December ......: 9,355 2,004 18,744 : Annual ........: 9,342 24,178 225,868 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: October 2024 and 2025 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : from : : : : : : : 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 190 200 1,960 1,960 372 392 5.4 California ......: 1,709 1,713 1,870 1,995 3,196 3,417 6.9 Colorado ........: 206 211 2,185 2,180 450 460 2.2 Florida .........: 98 100 1,570 1,675 154 168 9.1 Georgia .........: 85 89 1,930 2,000 164 178 8.5 Idaho ...........: 676 725 2,145 2,140 1,450 1,552 7.0 Illinois ........: 77 79 1,780 1,790 137 141 2.9 Indiana .........: 189 194 1,990 2,010 376 387 2.9 Iowa ............: 244 246 2,080 2,085 508 513 1.0 Kansas ..........: 181 218 2,005 2,020 363 440 21.2 : Michigan ........: 439 459 2,330 2,325 1,023 1,067 4.3 Minnesota .......: 442 452 1,965 1,980 869 895 3.0 New Mexico ......: 242 235 2,055 2,020 497 475 -4.4 New York ........: 630 648 2,130 2,155 1,342 1,396 4.0 Ohio ............: 251 251 1,880 1,880 472 472 - Oregon ..........: 118 123 1,760 1,770 208 218 4.8 Pennsylvania ....: 465 460 1,725 1,735 802 798 -0.5 South Dakota ....: 215 235 1,990 1,990 428 468 9.3 Texas ...........: 675 701 2,225 2,205 1,502 1,546 2.9 Utah ............: 91 98 1,935 1,945 176 191 8.5 : Vermont .........: 113 116 1,840 1,840 208 213 2.4 Virginia ........: 66 67 1,705 1,705 113 114 0.9 Washington ......: 259 238 2,000 2,015 518 480 -7.3 Wisconsin .......: 1,266 1,280 2,130 2,145 2,697 2,746 1.8 : 24-State Total ..: 8,927 9,138 2,019 2,049 18,025 18,727 3.9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: September 2024 and 2025 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : from : : : : : : : 2024 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 192 200 1,850 1,840 355 368 3.7 California ....: 1,708 1,713 1,880 1,920 3,211 3,289 2.4 Colorado ......: 202 211 2,140 2,135 432 450 4.2 Florida .......: 98 99 1,520 1,615 149 160 7.4 Georgia .......: 85 89 1,800 1,885 153 168 9.8 Idaho .........: 672 725 2,105 2,125 1,415 1,541 8.9 Illinois ......: 77 79 1,700 1,725 131 136 3.8 Indiana .......: 189 193 1,930 1,950 365 376 3.0 Iowa ..........: 243 246 2,000 2,015 486 496 2.1 Kansas ........: 181 218 1,960 1,965 355 428 20.6 : Michigan ......: 438 460 2,250 2,265 986 1,042 5.7 Minnesota .....: 442 452 1,920 1,935 849 875 3.1 New Mexico ....: 240 237 1,970 1,970 473 467 -1.3 New York ......: 630 648 2,080 2,100 1,310 1,361 3.9 Ohio ..........: 251 252 1,820 1,820 457 459 0.4 Oregon ........: 118 123 1,710 1,725 202 212 5.0 Pennsylvania ..: 465 460 1,675 1,700 779 782 0.4 South Dakota ..: 215 235 1,935 1,945 416 457 9.9 Texas .........: 670 706 2,085 2,125 1,397 1,500 7.4 Utah ..........: 91 98 1,910 1,920 174 188 8.0 : Vermont .......: 113 116 1,750 1,785 198 207 4.5 Virginia ......: 66 67 1,645 1,665 109 112 2.8 Washington ....: 259 238 1,990 2,005 515 477 -7.4 Wisconsin .....: 1,266 1,280 2,075 2,105 2,627 2,694 2.6 : 24-State Total : 8,911 9,145 1,969 1,995 17,544 18,245 4.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Statistical Methodology Survey Procedures: Primary data used to determine these estimates were obtained from a sample of producers. Individual States maintain a list of all known milk producers and information on the size of their herd. States use all known sources of producers to ensure that their lists are as complete as possible. Generally, all large producers and a sample of small producers are included in the survey. Questionnaires are mailed to producers near the end of the month to obtain data for the first day of the month. Additional reports are obtained by telephone, as needed, to supplement the mail response. Where feasible, States utilize state and federal administrative data to estimate milk production. This eliminates duplication of data gathering by different government agencies such as Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Dairy Market News. Indications of milk cow inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Survey. Estimation Procedures: Regional Field Offices prepare these estimates by using a combination of survey indications, historic trends, and any available administrative data. Individual State estimates are reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board for reasonableness. Revision Policy: Milk production, milk per cow, and number of milk cows are subject to revision the following month after initial publication for monthly States or the following quarter for the quarterly States. Normally, administrative data from Federal Market Orders, State Departments of Agriculture, or other sources are the main basis for revisions. However, administrative data for all States may not be available in time for these revisions. Estimates are again subject to revisions in February each year based on additional administrative data. In the event that additional changes are necessary, a third revision is possible in February the following year. Estimates are again reviewed after data from the five-year Census of Agriculture are available. No revisions are made after that date. Reliability: Since all operations with dairy animals are not included in the sample, survey estimates are subject to sampling variability. Survey results are also subject to non-sampling errors such as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing the data. The effects of these errors cannot be measured directly. They are minimized through rigid quality controls in the data collection process and through a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness. To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the estimates in this report, the "Root Mean Square Error" is shown for selected items in the table below. The "Root Mean Square Error" is a statistical measure based on past performance and is computed using the differences between first and final estimates. The "Root Mean Square Error" for the 24 State milk production estimates over the past 24 months is 0.4 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 18.7 billion pounds by more than 0.4 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.6 percent. Reliability of Monthly Milk Production Estimates [Based on data for the past 24 months] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Months : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent -------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ----- : : Milk production ..............: 0.4 0.6 56 0 139 15 8 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.3 12 1 33 15 9 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@usda.gov. Travis Averill, Chief, Livestock Branch................................................ (202) 692-0069 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter............................................. (202) 690-8632 Tiffany Byrne - Dairy Products...................................................... (651) 440-7789 Ryan Cowen - Cattle, Cattle on Feed................................................. (202) 720-3040 Kim DaPra - Milk Production......................................................... (202) 720-3278 Fatema Haque - Poultry Slaughter, Turkey Hatchery, Turkeys Raised................... (202) 720-3244 Derron Martin - Catfish, Census of Aquaculture, Egg Products, Mink, Trout........... (202) 690-3237 Ralph Mondesir - Hogs and Pigs...................................................... (202) 720-3106 Suzanne Richards - Cost of Pollination, Honey, Honey Bee Colonies, Sheep and Goats.. (202) 720-4448 Shulonda Shaw - Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses, Cold Storage................... (202) 720-3240 Autumn Stone - Layers, Eggs......................................................... (202) 690-3676 Takiyah Walker - Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery................................. (202) 720-6147 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. The national specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and click on "National" in upper right corner above "search" box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive. Economics, Statistics, and Market Information (ESMIS) - National Agricultural Library (NAL) website houses NASS's and other agency archived reports at https://esmis.nal.usda.gov. 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