Milk Production ISSN: 1949-1557 Released September 22, 2025, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). August Milk Production up 3.3 Percent Milk production in the 24 major States during August totaled 18.8 billion pounds, up 3.3 percent from August 2024. July revised production, at 19.0 billion pounds, was up 4.3 percent from July 2024. The July revision represented an increase of 139 million pounds or 0.7 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate. Production per cow in the 24 major States averaged 2,068 pounds for August, 28 pounds above August 2024. The number of milk cows on farms in the 24 major States was 9.08 million head, 172,000 head more than August 2024, and 7,000 head more than July 2025. August Milk Production in the United States up 3.2 Percent Milk production in the United States during August totaled 19.5 billion pounds, up 3.2 percent from August 2024. Production per cow in the United States averaged 2,050 pounds for August, 27 pounds above August 2024. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.52 million head, 176,000 head more than August 2024, and 10,000 head more than July 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 9,459 6,145 6,206 57,333 58,701 2.4 July-September ..: 9,341 6,004 56,085 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 9,075 2,040 2,068 18,164 18,768 3.3 September .....: 8,911 1,969 17,544 October .......: 8,927 2,019 18,025 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 19,391 1.6 May ...........: 9,331 9,465 2,103 2,121 19,624 20,072 2.3 June ..........: 9,323 9,475 1,998 2,030 18,627 19,238 3.3 July ..........: 9,326 9,510 2,029 2,073 18,918 19,710 4.2 August ........: 9,344 9,520 2,023 2,050 18,906 19,520 3.2 September .....: 9,353 1,952 18,261 October .......: 9,367 2,004 18,775 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: August 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 .........: 192 196 1,860 1,890 357 370 3.6 California ......: 1,707 1,715 1,980 2,005 3,380 3,439 1.7 Colorado ........: 200 211 2,205 2,210 441 466 5.7 Florida .........: 98 97 1,590 1,675 156 162 3.8 Georgia .........: 85 89 1,850 1,905 157 170 8.3 Idaho ...........: 672 722 2,200 2,215 1,478 1,599 8.2 Illinois ........: 77 74 1,740 1,740 134 129 -3.7 Indiana .........: 189 189 1,985 1,990 375 376 0.3 Iowa ............: 241 242 2,060 2,070 496 501 1.0 Kansas ..........: 178 214 2,005 2,010 357 430 20.4 : Michigan ........: 437 453 2,320 2,340 1,014 1,060 4.5 Minnesota .......: 442 445 1,965 2,000 869 890 2.4 New Mexico ......: 239 237 2,010 2,020 480 479 -0.2 New York ........: 630 640 2,160 2,200 1,361 1,408 3.5 Ohio ............: 252 250 1,910 1,920 481 480 -0.2 Oregon ..........: 118 121 1,785 1,795 211 217 2.8 Pennsylvania ....: 465 460 1,725 1,755 802 807 0.6 South Dakota ....: 214 235 1,990 2,015 426 474 11.3 Texas ...........: 670 699 2,155 2,190 1,444 1,531 6.0 Utah ............: 92 98 1,980 1,995 182 196 7.7 : Vermont .........: 113 115 1,825 1,870 206 215 4.4 Virginia ........: 66 66 1,720 1,725 114 114 - Washington ......: 260 239 2,055 2,055 534 491 -8.1 Wisconsin .......: 1,266 1,268 2,140 2,180 2,709 2,764 2.0 : 24-State Total ..: 8,903 9,075 2,040 2,068 18,164 18,768 3.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ Includes dry cows. Excludes heifers not yet fresh. 2/ Excludes milk sucked by calves. Milk Cows and Production - 24 Selected States: July 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 .......: 190 196 1,905 1,950 362 382 5.5 California ....: 1,707 1,715 1,940 2,045 3,312 3,507 5.9 Colorado ......: 200 211 2,155 2,220 431 468 8.6 Florida .......: 98 97 1,695 1,765 166 171 3.0 Georgia .......: 85 89 1,845 1,950 157 174 10.8 Idaho .........: 667 721 2,200 2,230 1,467 1,608 9.6 Illinois ......: 78 74 1,800 1,810 140 134 -4.3 Indiana .......: 189 189 2,015 2,010 381 380 -0.3 Iowa ..........: 241 242 2,085 2,100 502 508 1.2 Kansas ........: 177 213 2,000 2,010 354 428 20.9 : Michigan ......: 436 453 2,360 2,355 1,029 1,067 3.7 Minnesota .....: 442 445 1,980 2,030 875 903 3.2 New Mexico ....: 239 237 2,055 2,055 491 487 -0.8 New York ......: 630 639 2,180 2,225 1,373 1,422 3.6 Ohio ..........: 252 250 1,920 1,925 484 481 -0.6 Oregon ........: 117 120 1,805 1,815 211 218 3.3 Pennsylvania ..: 465 460 1,735 1,760 807 810 0.4 South Dakota ..: 213 234 1,985 2,005 423 469 10.9 Texas .........: 660 699 2,155 2,205 1,422 1,541 8.4 Utah ..........: 92 98 2,010 2,020 185 198 7.0 : Vermont .......: 114 114 1,820 1,875 207 214 3.4 Virginia ......: 66 66 1,730 1,735 114 115 0.9 Washington ....: 260 239 2,040 2,055 530 491 -7.4 Wisconsin .....: 1,268 1,267 2,170 2,190 2,752 2,775 0.8 : 24-State Total : 8,886 9,068 2,045 2,090 18,175 18,951 4.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 18.8 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 58 0 139 14 9 : All Milk cows ................: 0.2 0.3 12 2 28 14 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Cornell's Mann Library website houses NASS's and other agency's archived reports at https://usda.library.cornell.edu. All email subscriptions containing reports will be sent from https://usda.library.cornell.edu. 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