Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released August 21, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). July Milk Production up 2.3 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during July totaled 19.4 billion pounds, up 2.3 percent from July 2025. June revised production, at 19.1 billion pounds, was up 3.1 percent from June 2025. The June revision represented an increase of 124 million pounds or 0.7 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,093 pounds for July, 5 pounds above July 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 9.27 million head, 185,000 head more than July 2025, and 2,000 head more than June 2026. July Milk Production in the United States up 2.2 Percent Milk production in the United States during July totaled 20.1 billion pounds, up 2.2 percent from July 2025. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,075 pounds for July, 3 pounds above July 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.71 million head, 199,000 head more than July 2025, but unchanged from June 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 9,622 6,043 6,091 56,865 58,603 3.1 April-June ......: 9,474 9,677 6,205 6,233 58,783 60,318 2.6 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 9,198 2,126 2,138 19,124 19,662 2.8 April .........: 9,017 9,218 2,069 2,080 18,659 19,175 2.8 May ...........: 9,043 9,213 2,134 2,141 19,298 19,724 2.2 June ..........: 9,046 9,265 2,044 2,057 18,489 19,054 3.1 July ..........: 9,082 9,267 2,088 2,093 18,967 19,399 2.3 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 9,610 2,044 2,068 19,194 19,875 3.5 February ......: 9,404 9,614 1,887 1,900 17,746 18,263 2.9 March .........: 9,434 9,641 2,112 2,123 19,925 20,465 2.7 April .........: 9,455 9,664 2,055 2,065 19,432 19,960 2.7 May ...........: 9,481 9,658 2,120 2,126 20,097 20,529 2.1 June ..........: 9,485 9,710 2,030 2,042 19,254 19,829 3.0 July ..........: 9,511 9,710 2,072 2,075 19,706 20,145 2.2 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: July 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 .........: 196 202 1,950 1,965 382 397 3.9 California ......: 1,715 1,714 2,045 2,030 3,507 3,479 -0.8 Colorado ........: 211 219 2,220 2,225 468 487 4.1 Florida .........: 97 102 1,765 1,775 171 181 5.8 Georgia .........: 89 90 1,950 2,025 174 182 4.6 Idaho ...........: 723 735 2,230 2,240 1,612 1,646 2.1 Illinois ........: 74 75 1,810 1,815 134 136 1.5 Indiana .........: 189 198 2,010 2,015 380 399 5.0 Iowa ............: 242 243 2,100 2,110 508 513 1.0 Kansas ..........: 213 245 2,010 2,015 428 494 15.4 : Michigan ........: 453 467 2,355 2,355 1,067 1,100 3.1 Minnesota .......: 445 459 2,030 2,040 903 936 3.7 New Mexico ......: 236 238 2,065 2,070 487 493 1.2 New York ........: 644 655 2,210 2,220 1,423 1,454 2.2 Ohio ............: 252 251 1,925 1,925 485 483 -0.4 Oregon ..........: 120 128 1,815 1,815 218 232 6.4 Pennsylvania ....: 460 455 1,760 1,780 810 810 - South Dakota ....: 234 250 2,005 2,005 469 501 6.8 Texas ...........: 700 726 2,205 2,220 1,544 1,612 4.4 Utah ............: 98 99 2,020 2,025 198 200 1.0 : Vermont .........: 114 114 1,875 1,880 214 214 - Virginia ........: 66 68 1,735 1,740 115 118 2.6 Washington ......: 239 235 2,055 2,045 491 481 -2.0 Wisconsin .......: 1,272 1,299 2,185 2,195 2,779 2,851 2.6 : 24-State Total ..: 9,082 9,267 2,088 2,093 18,967 19,399 2.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: June 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 .......: 191 200 2,040 2,055 390 411 5.4 California ....: 1,710 1,714 2,005 2,000 3,429 3,428 (Z) Colorado ......: 211 221 2,155 2,165 455 478 5.1 Florida .......: 97 101 1,805 1,805 175 182 4.0 Georgia .......: 87 89 1,960 2,030 171 181 5.8 Idaho .........: 715 733 2,150 2,165 1,537 1,587 3.3 Illinois ......: 75 76 1,830 1,835 137 139 1.5 Indiana .......: 191 198 1,990 1,995 380 395 3.9 Iowa ..........: 242 245 2,060 2,075 499 508 1.8 Kansas ........: 206 244 1,975 1,980 407 483 18.7 : Michigan ......: 452 467 2,290 2,310 1,035 1,079 4.3 Minnesota .....: 444 456 1,980 1,995 879 910 3.5 New Mexico ....: 238 239 2,035 2,035 484 486 0.4 New York ......: 641 655 2,150 2,170 1,378 1,421 3.1 Ohio ..........: 254 253 1,890 1,890 480 478 -0.4 Oregon ........: 118 128 1,770 1,775 209 227 8.6 Pennsylvania ..: 460 455 1,740 1,760 800 801 0.1 South Dakota ..: 233 250 1,925 1,940 449 485 8.0 Texas .........: 696 725 2,160 2,175 1,503 1,577 4.9 Utah ..........: 96 99 1,985 1,995 191 198 3.7 : Vermont .......: 113 113 1,830 1,840 207 208 0.5 Virginia ......: 67 69 1,720 1,730 115 119 3.5 Washington ....: 239 236 2,010 2,010 480 474 -1.3 Wisconsin .....: 1,270 1,299 2,125 2,155 2,699 2,799 3.7 : 24-State Total : 9,046 9,265 2,044 2,057 18,489 19,054 3.1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Z) Less than half of the unit shown. 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 19.4 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 57 1 161 18 6 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.4 18 1 42 19 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service - Estimation Branch Contacts For more information about specific data items, please contact the Estimation Branch staff members below. You can also email inquiries to nass@usda.gov. Anthony Prillaman, Associate Deputy Administrator............................................................................... (202) 720-2127 Darin Jantzi, Section Chief..................................................................................................... (701) 412-5953 Broiler Hatchery, Chicken Hatchery, Eggs, Hogs and Pigs, Layers, Sheep and Goats Jeff Lemmons, Section Chief..................................................................................................... (202) 973-3272 Cattle, Cattle on Feed, Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses, Cold Storage Fleming Gibson, Section Chief (Acting).......................................................................................... (202) 236-2428 Catfish, Census of Aquaculture, Dairy Products, Livestock Slaughter, Poultry Slaughter, Trout, Turkey Hatchery, Turkey Raised Julie Weber, Section Chief...................................................................................................... (202) 317-0165 Cost of Pollination, Egg Products, Honey, Honey Bee Colonies, Milk Production 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. 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