Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released September 22, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). August Milk Production up 1.8 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during August totaled 19.2 billion pounds, up 1.8 percent from August 2025. July revised production, at 19.3 billion pounds, was also up 1.8 percent from July 2025. The July revision represented a decrease of 100 million pounds or 0.5 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,070 pounds for August, 4 pounds above August 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 9.26 million head, 151,000 head more than August 2025, and 15,000 head more than July 2026. August Milk Production in the United States up 1.7 Percent Milk production in the United States during August totaled 19.9 billion pounds, up 1.7 percent from August 2025. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,049 pounds for August, 1 pound below August 2025. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.71 million head, 167,000 head more than August 2025, and 15,000 head more than July 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 9,249 2,088 2,087 18,967 19,299 1.8 August ........: 9,113 9,264 2,066 2,070 18,827 19,172 1.8 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 9,695 2,072 2,068 19,706 20,045 1.7 August ........: 9,543 9,710 2,050 2,049 19,560 19,900 1.7 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: August 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 .........: 202 197 1,890 1,880 382 370 -3.1 California ......: 1,715 1,716 1,990 1,975 3,413 3,389 -0.7 Colorado ........: 211 218 2,210 2,220 466 484 3.9 Florida .........: 97 101 1,675 1,710 162 173 6.8 Georgia .........: 89 92 1,930 1,995 172 184 7.0 Idaho ...........: 722 734 2,220 2,220 1,603 1,629 1.6 Illinois ........: 75 74 1,750 1,755 131 130 -0.8 Indiana .........: 190 198 1,990 2,000 378 396 4.8 Iowa ............: 244 243 2,065 2,080 504 505 0.2 Kansas ..........: 218 247 2,010 2,020 438 499 13.9 : Michigan ........: 455 466 2,340 2,345 1,065 1,093 2.6 Minnesota .......: 450 456 2,005 2,020 902 921 2.1 New Mexico ......: 236 235 2,035 2,035 480 478 -0.4 New York ........: 649 655 2,205 2,205 1,431 1,444 0.9 Ohio ............: 251 251 1,905 1,905 478 478 - Oregon ..........: 123 132 1,800 1,805 221 238 7.7 Pennsylvania ....: 460 457 1,755 1,775 807 811 0.5 South Dakota ....: 234 253 1,995 2,000 467 506 8.4 Texas ...........: 700 729 2,190 2,210 1,533 1,611 5.1 Utah ............: 98 95 1,995 1,990 196 189 -3.6 : Vermont .........: 115 114 1,870 1,875 215 214 -0.5 Virginia ........: 66 69 1,735 1,740 115 120 4.3 Washington ......: 237 236 2,050 2,055 486 485 -0.2 Wisconsin .......: 1,276 1,296 2,180 2,180 2,782 2,825 1.5 : 24-State Total ..: 9,113 9,264 2,066 2,070 18,827 19,172 1.8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 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 .......: 196 199 1,950 1,950 382 388 1.6 California ....: 1,715 1,716 2,045 2,025 3,507 3,475 -0.9 Colorado ......: 211 218 2,220 2,230 468 486 3.8 Florida .......: 97 102 1,765 1,775 171 181 5.8 Georgia .......: 89 92 1,950 2,030 174 187 7.5 Idaho .........: 723 734 2,230 2,225 1,612 1,633 1.3 Illinois ......: 74 74 1,810 1,815 134 134 - Indiana .......: 189 196 2,010 2,010 380 394 3.7 Iowa ..........: 242 243 2,100 2,095 508 509 0.2 Kansas ........: 213 245 2,010 2,020 428 495 15.7 : Michigan ......: 453 463 2,355 2,355 1,067 1,090 2.2 Minnesota .....: 445 456 2,030 2,035 903 928 2.8 New Mexico ....: 236 238 2,065 2,070 487 493 1.2 New York ......: 644 650 2,210 2,205 1,423 1,433 0.7 Ohio ..........: 252 249 1,925 1,920 485 478 -1.4 Oregon ........: 120 130 1,815 1,810 218 235 7.8 Pennsylvania ..: 460 456 1,760 1,780 810 812 0.2 South Dakota ..: 234 251 2,005 2,005 469 503 7.2 Texas .........: 700 729 2,205 2,225 1,544 1,622 5.1 Utah ..........: 98 96 2,020 2,005 198 192 -3.0 : Vermont .......: 114 114 1,875 1,880 214 214 - Virginia ......: 66 67 1,735 1,740 115 117 1.7 Washington ....: 239 234 2,055 2,045 491 479 -2.4 Wisconsin .....: 1,272 1,297 2,185 2,175 2,779 2,821 1.5 : 24-State Total : 9,082 9,249 2,088 2,087 18,967 19,299 1.8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 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 19.2 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 61 1 161 17 7 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.4 18 1 42 18 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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