Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released April 22, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). March Milk Production up 2.4 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during March totaled 19.6 billion pounds, up 2.4 percent from March 2025. February revised production, at 17.5 billion pounds, was up 3.0 percent from February 2025. The February revision represented a decrease of 11 million pounds or 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,133 pounds for March, 7 pounds above March 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 9.18 million head, 188,000 head more than March 2025, and 8,000 head more than February 2026. January-March Milk Production up 2.9 Percent Milk production in the United States during the January - March quarter totaled 58.5 billion pounds, up 2.9 percent from the January - March quarter last year. The average number of milk cows in the United States during the quarter was 9.61 million head, 50,000 head more than the October - December quarter, and 204,000 head more than the same period last year. 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 9,614 6,043 6,088 56,865 58,527 2.9 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 9,175 1,899 1,912 17,030 17,546 3.0 March .........: 8,995 9,183 2,126 2,133 19,124 19,591 2.4 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 9,607 2,044 2,069 19,194 19,874 3.5 February ......: 9,404 9,613 1,887 1,900 17,746 18,262 2.9 March .........: 9,434 9,621 2,112 2,119 19,925 20,391 2.3 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: March 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 .........: 191 194 2,275 2,270 435 440 1.1 California ......: 1,710 1,707 2,085 2,105 3,565 3,593 0.8 Colorado ........: 209 217 2,235 2,240 467 486 4.1 Florida .........: 95 98 1,965 1,970 187 193 3.2 Georgia .........: 85 86 2,125 2,130 181 183 1.1 Idaho ...........: 700 724 2,155 2,155 1,509 1,560 3.4 Illinois ........: 77 76 1,950 1,955 150 149 -0.7 Indiana .........: 192 200 2,050 2,060 394 412 4.6 Iowa ............: 244 245 2,135 2,150 521 527 1.2 Kansas ..........: 187 234 2,100 2,105 393 493 25.4 : Michigan ........: 446 462 2,385 2,385 1,064 1,102 3.6 Minnesota .......: 442 453 2,040 2,040 902 924 2.4 New Mexico ......: 243 234 2,215 2,225 538 521 -3.2 New York ........: 635 653 2,215 2,200 1,407 1,437 2.1 Ohio ............: 254 256 1,955 1,965 497 503 1.2 Oregon ..........: 116 123 1,810 1,815 210 223 6.2 Pennsylvania ....: 464 452 1,865 1,870 865 845 -2.3 South Dakota ....: 226 241 1,985 1,990 449 480 6.9 Texas ...........: 688 719 2,275 2,280 1,565 1,639 4.7 Utah ............: 95 100 1,965 1,980 187 198 5.9 : Vermont .........: 113 113 1,905 1,915 215 216 0.5 Virginia ........: 66 67 1,875 1,880 124 126 1.6 Washington ......: 251 236 2,070 2,075 520 490 -5.8 Wisconsin .......: 1,266 1,293 2,195 2,205 2,779 2,851 2.6 : 24-State Total ..: 8,995 9,183 2,126 2,133 19,124 19,591 2.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 .......: 192 194 2,015 2,010 387 390 0.8 California ....: 1,709 1,710 1,850 1,890 3,162 3,232 2.2 Colorado ......: 208 215 2,005 2,015 417 433 3.8 Florida .......: 95 97 1,760 1,745 167 169 1.2 Georgia .......: 85 88 1,920 1,915 163 169 3.7 Idaho .........: 700 724 1,940 1,945 1,358 1,408 3.7 Illinois ......: 77 76 1,730 1,745 133 133 - Indiana .......: 192 200 1,840 1,850 353 370 4.8 Iowa ..........: 244 245 1,910 1,925 466 472 1.3 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 ....: 240 229 1,975 1,950 474 447 -5.7 New York ......: 632 653 1,980 1,970 1,251 1,286 2.8 Ohio ..........: 252 256 1,760 1,760 444 451 1.6 Oregon ........: 116 123 1,620 1,625 188 200 6.4 Pennsylvania ..: 464 452 1,670 1,670 775 755 -2.6 South Dakota ..: 221 241 1,790 1,795 396 433 9.3 Texas .........: 684 718 2,040 2,045 1,395 1,468 5.2 Utah ..........: 94 99 1,770 1,785 166 177 6.6 : Vermont .......: 113 113 1,700 1,705 192 193 0.5 Virginia ......: 66 66 1,675 1,685 111 111 - Washington ....: 251 236 1,850 1,860 464 439 -5.4 Wisconsin .....: 1,265 1,293 1,960 1,980 2,479 2,560 3.3 : 24-State Total : 8,966 9,175 1,899 1,912 17,030 17,546 3.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - States and United States: Revised October - December 2024 and 2025 [May not add due to rounding] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : October - December milk cows 1/ : October - December milk production 2/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : : : : : Change : : : : : from : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 : 2025 : 2024 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head million pounds million pounds percent : Alabama ........: 2.2 (D) 6.5 (D) (NA) Alaska .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (NA) Arizona ........: 189.0 196.0 1,137.0 1,174.0 3.3 Arkansas .......: 2.0 (D) 5.5 (D) (NA) California .....: 1,708.0 1,712.0 9,370.0 10,197.0 8.8 Colorado .......: 205.0 210.0 1,329.0 1,359.0 2.3 Connecticut ....: 17.5 (D) 104.0 (D) (NA) Delaware .......: 2.6 (D) 11.2 (D) (NA) Florida ........: 97.0 98.0 477.0 500.0 4.8 Georgia ........: 85.0 89.0 496.0 531.0 7.1 : Hawaii .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (NA) Idaho ..........: 686.0 722.0 4,289.0 4,538.0 5.8 Illinois .......: 77.0 76.0 411.0 407.0 -1.0 Indiana ........: 190.0 194.0 1,132.0 1,166.0 3.0 Iowa ...........: 244.0 245.0 1,500.0 1,513.0 0.9 Kansas .........: 180.0 223.0 1,071.0 1,335.0 24.6 Kentucky .......: 41.0 38.0 200.0 186.0 -7.0 Louisiana ......: 7.0 (D) 22.0 (D) (NA) Maine ..........: 24.0 23.0 133.0 133.0 - Maryland .......: 38.0 37.0 201.0 195.0 -3.0 : Massachusetts ..: 9.0 (D) 44.0 (D) (NA) Michigan .......: 441.0 459.0 3,034.0 3,162.0 4.2 Minnesota ......: 442.0 455.0 2,573.0 2,673.0 3.9 Mississippi ....: 5.0 (D) 14.5 (D) (NA) Missouri .......: 56.0 54.0 185.0 180.0 -2.7 Montana ........: 8.5 (D) 48.0 (D) (NA) Nebraska .......: 49.0 50.0 309.0 309.0 - Nevada .........: 31.0 33.0 197.0 210.0 6.6 New Hampshire ..: 9.5 (D) 50.0 (D) (NA) New Jersey .....: 3.8 (D) 20.0 (D) (NA) : New Mexico .....: 241.0 233.0 1,461.0 1,403.0 -4.0 New York .......: 629.0 650.0 3,960.0 4,159.0 5.0 North Carolina .: 37.0 36.0 203.0 204.0 0.5 North Dakota ...: 9.5 (D) 56.0 (D) (NA) Ohio ...........: 251.0 254.0 1,411.0 1,435.0 1.7 Oklahoma .......: 41.0 44.0 189.0 202.0 6.9 Oregon .........: 117.0 120.0 603.0 623.0 3.3 Pennsylvania ...: 465.0 457.0 2,409.0 2,368.0 -1.7 Rhode Island ...: 0.5 (D) 2.1 (D) (NA) South Carolina .: 8.0 (D) 35.0 (D) (NA) : South Dakota ...: 215.0 238.0 1,261.0 1,394.0 10.5 Tennessee ......: 24.0 22.0 107.0 100.0 -6.5 Texas ..........: 675.0 704.0 4,408.0 4,599.0 4.3 Utah ...........: 91.0 97.0 522.0 562.0 7.7 Vermont ........: 113.0 115.0 616.0 627.0 1.8 Virginia .......: 66.0 66.0 342.0 342.0 - Washington .....: 256.0 236.0 1,504.0 1,404.0 -6.6 West Virginia ..: 4.0 (D) 14.5 (D) (NA) Wisconsin ......: 1,266.0 1,283.0 7,961.0 8,130.0 2.1 Wyoming ........: 9.0 (D) 62.9 (D) (NA) : Other States 3/ : 0.9 95.3 2.0 481.7 (NA) : United States ..: 9,369.0 9,564.0 55,499.0 57,802.0 4.1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. (NA) Not available. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. 3/ Other States includes states not published. Milk Cows and Production - States and United States: Preliminary January - March 2025 and 2026 [May not add due to rounding] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : January - March milk cows 1/ : January - March milk production 2/ :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : : : : : Change : : : : : from : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 : 2026 : 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head 1,000 head million pounds million pounds percent : Arizona ........: 192.0 194.0 1,234.0 1,249.0 1.2 California .....: 1,710.0 1,710.0 10,079.0 10,326.0 2.5 Colorado .......: 208.0 215.0 1,338.0 1,390.0 3.9 Florida ........: 95.0 97.0 533.0 545.0 2.3 Georgia ........: 85.0 88.0 518.0 538.0 3.9 Idaho ..........: 700.0 724.0 4,358.0 4,507.0 3.4 Illinois .......: 77.0 76.0 427.0 425.0 -0.5 Indiana ........: 192.0 199.0 1,135.0 1,184.0 4.3 Iowa ...........: 244.0 245.0 1,497.0 1,516.0 1.3 Kansas .........: 183.0 232.0 1,099.0 1,398.0 27.2 : Kentucky .......: 41.0 37.0 210.0 194.0 -7.6 Maine ..........: 24.0 23.0 137.0 133.0 -2.9 Maryland .......: 38.0 37.0 206.0 204.0 -1.0 Michigan .......: 445.0 462.0 3,051.0 3,169.0 3.9 Minnesota ......: 441.0 453.0 2,585.0 2,659.0 2.9 Missouri .......: 55.0 54.0 191.0 188.0 -1.6 Nebraska .......: 49.0 51.0 307.0 316.0 2.9 Nevada .........: 32.0 35.0 198.0 217.0 9.6 New Mexico .....: 240.0 231.0 1,517.0 1,454.0 -4.2 New York .......: 632.0 653.0 4,022.0 4,133.0 2.8 : North Carolina .: 35.0 36.0 207.0 213.0 2.9 Ohio ...........: 252.0 256.0 1,424.0 1,448.0 1.7 Oklahoma .......: 43.0 46.0 206.0 221.0 7.3 Oregon .........: 116.0 123.0 604.0 638.0 5.6 Pennsylvania ...: 464.0 453.0 2,482.0 2,417.0 -2.6 South Dakota ...: 222.0 242.0 1,276.0 1,394.0 9.2 Tennessee ......: 22.0 22.0 104.0 103.0 -1.0 Texas ..........: 683.0 717.0 4,445.0 4,705.0 5.8 Utah ...........: 94.0 99.0 534.0 567.0 6.2 Vermont ........: 113.0 113.0 618.0 621.0 0.5 : Virginia .......: 66.0 66.0 354.0 358.0 1.1 Washington .....: 252.0 236.0 1,495.0 1,406.0 -6.0 Wisconsin ......: 1,265.0 1,292.0 7,952.0 8,185.0 2.9 : Other States 3/ : 99.8 96.8 521.6 506.4 -2.9 : United States ..: 9,410.0 9,614.0 56,865.0 58,527.0 2.9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. 3/ Other States includes states not published. 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. Indications of milk cow inventory are also obtained in the January Cattle Surveys. 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 on the next page. 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 milk production estimates over the past 20 quarters is 0.1 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the final estimate will not be above or below the current estimate of 58.5 billion pounds by more than 0.1 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 that the difference will not exceed 0.3 percent. Reliability of Quarterly Milk Production Estimates [Based on data for the past 20 quarters] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Root mean : 90 percent : Difference between first and latest estimate : square error : confidence : : : : : : : level :------------------------------------------------------------- Item : : : : : : Quarters : : : : : :------------------------------- : : : Average :Smallest : Largest : Below latest : Above latest -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent -------- 1,000 -------- ----- number ---- : : Milk production ..............: 0.1 0.3 68 4 175 8 12 : All milk cows ................: 0.1 0.2 8 1 17 9 11 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Both national and state 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" or "State" in upper right corner above "search" box to create an account and select the reports you would like to receive. Cornell's Mann Library has launched a new website housing NASS's and other agency's archived reports. The new website, https://usda.library.cornell.edu. 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