Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released March 20, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). February Milk Production up 3.1 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during February totaled 17.6 billion pounds, up 3.1 percent from February 2025. January revised production, at 19.1 billion pounds, was up 3.6 percent from January 2025. The January revision represented an increase of 37 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 1,912 pounds for February, 13 pounds above February 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 9.18 million head, 217,000 head more than February 2025, and 13,000 head more than January 2026. February Milk Production in the United States up 2.9 Percent Milk production in the United States during February totaled 18.3 billion pounds, up 2.9 percent from February 2025. Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,899 pounds for February, 12 pounds above February 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.62 million head, 211,000 head more than February 2025, and 15,000 head more than January 2026. Milk Cows and Production by Quarter - United States: 2025-2026 [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 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : : : : : 2025 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head --- pounds -- million pounds percent : January-March ...: 9,410 6,043 56,865 April-June ......: 9,474 6,205 58,783 July-September ..: 9,543 6,100 58,208 October-December : 9,564 6,044 57,802 : Annual ..........: 9,498 24,390 231,658 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production by Month - 24 Selected States: 2025-2026 [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 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : : : : : 2025 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 8,954 9,170 2,058 2,082 18,423 19,095 3.6 February ......: 8,966 9,183 1,899 1,912 17,030 17,559 3.1 March .........: 8,995 2,126 19,124 April .........: 9,017 2,069 18,659 May ...........: 9,043 2,134 19,298 June ..........: 9,046 2,044 18,489 July ..........: 9,082 2,088 18,967 August ........: 9,113 2,066 18,827 September .....: 9,142 1,994 18,230 October .......: 9,137 2,049 18,726 November ......: 9,130 1,981 18,088 December ......: 9,139 2,056 18,787 : Annual ........: 9,064 24,564 222,648 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Estimated Milk Cows and Production by Month - United States: 2025-2026 [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 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : : : : : 2025 :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : January .......: 9,391 9,600 2,044 2,068 19,194 19,850 3.4 February ......: 9,404 9,615 1,887 1,899 17,746 18,255 2.9 March .........: 9,434 2,112 19,925 April .........: 9,455 2,055 19,432 May ...........: 9,481 2,120 20,097 June ..........: 9,485 2,030 19,254 July ..........: 9,511 2,072 19,706 August ........: 9,543 2,050 19,560 September .....: 9,574 1,978 18,942 October .......: 9,566 2,035 19,469 November ......: 9,559 1,967 18,804 December ......: 9,566 2,042 19,529 : Annual ........: 9,498 24,390 231,658 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: February 2025 and 2026 [May not add due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : : : : : 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .........: 192 195 2,015 2,020 387 394 1.8 California ......: 1,709 1,712 1,850 1,890 3,162 3,236 2.3 Colorado ........: 208 215 2,005 2,015 417 433 3.8 Florida .........: 95 96 1,760 1,755 167 168 0.6 Georgia .........: 85 88 1,920 1,925 163 169 3.7 Idaho ...........: 700 724 1,940 1,940 1,358 1,405 3.5 Illinois ........: 77 76 1,730 1,735 133 132 -0.8 Indiana .........: 192 200 1,840 1,850 353 370 4.8 Iowa ............: 244 245 1,910 1,930 466 473 1.5 Kansas ..........: 181 232 1,870 1,875 338 435 28.7 : Michigan ........: 445 462 2,130 2,135 948 986 4.0 Minnesota .......: 440 453 1,825 1,830 803 829 3.2 New Mexico ......: 240 227 1,975 1,970 474 447 -5.7 New York ........: 632 653 1,980 1,975 1,251 1,290 3.1 Ohio ............: 252 256 1,760 1,760 444 451 1.6 Oregon ..........: 116 123 1,620 1,625 188 200 6.4 Pennsylvania ....: 464 455 1,670 1,670 775 760 -1.9 South Dakota ....: 221 244 1,790 1,795 396 438 10.6 Texas ...........: 684 718 2,040 2,045 1,395 1,468 5.2 Utah ............: 94 100 1,770 1,780 166 178 7.2 : Vermont .........: 113 114 1,700 1,695 192 193 0.5 Virginia ........: 66 67 1,675 1,690 111 113 1.8 Washington ......: 251 238 1,850 1,860 464 443 -4.5 Wisconsin .......: 1,265 1,290 1,960 1,975 2,479 2,548 2.8 : 24-State Total ..: 8,966 9,183 1,899 1,912 17,030 17,559 3.1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: January 2025 and 2026 [May not add due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Milk cows 1/ : Milk per cow 2/ : Milk production 2/ State :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : Change : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : from : : : : : : : 2025 :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :1,000 head 1,000 head pounds pounds million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona .......: 192 195 2,145 2,150 412 419 1.7 California ....: 1,710 1,712 1,960 2,045 3,352 3,501 4.4 Colorado ......: 206 213 2,205 2,210 454 471 3.7 Florida .......: 95 97 1,885 1,885 179 183 2.2 Georgia .......: 85 89 2,050 2,085 174 186 6.9 Idaho .........: 700 724 2,130 2,125 1,491 1,539 3.2 Illinois ......: 77 76 1,870 1,875 144 143 -0.7 Indiana .......: 191 197 2,030 2,040 388 402 3.6 Iowa ..........: 245 245 2,080 2,110 510 517 1.4 Kansas ........: 181 230 2,035 2,045 368 470 27.7 : Michigan ......: 445 462 2,335 2,340 1,039 1,081 4.0 Minnesota .....: 440 453 2,000 2,000 880 906 3.0 New Mexico ....: 238 230 2,120 2,115 505 486 -3.8 New York ......: 630 653 2,165 2,160 1,364 1,410 3.4 Ohio ..........: 251 256 1,925 1,930 483 494 2.3 Oregon ........: 117 122 1,760 1,760 206 215 4.4 Pennsylvania ..: 465 454 1,810 1,800 842 817 -3.0 South Dakota ..: 218 243 1,975 1,980 431 481 11.6 Texas .........: 678 715 2,190 2,235 1,485 1,598 7.6 Utah ..........: 93 98 1,950 1,960 181 192 6.1 : Vermont .......: 113 114 1,865 1,860 211 212 0.5 Virginia ......: 66 66 1,800 1,830 119 121 1.7 Washington ....: 253 236 2,020 2,020 511 477 -6.7 Wisconsin .....: 1,265 1,290 2,130 2,150 2,694 2,774 3.0 : 24-State Total : 8,954 9,170 2,058 2,082 18,423 19,095 3.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 17.6 billion pounds by more than 0.4 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.7 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 0.7 62 1 161 18 6 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.4 16 1 42 19 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, 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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