U.S. milk production fell about 2.5% compared to the same month last year, according to the USDA’s preliminary January Milk Production report, released March 21.
February 2024-25 dairy recap at a glance
Reviewing the USDA preliminary estimates for February 2025 compared to February 2024:
- U.S. milk production: 17.725 billion pounds, down 2.5%
- U.S. cow numbers: 9.405 million, up 62,000 head
- U.S. average milk per cow: 1,885 pounds, down 61 pounds
- 24-state milk production: 16.985 billion pounds, down 2.6%
- 24-state cow numbers: 8.963 million, up 75,000 head
- 24-state average milk per cow: 1,895 pounds, down 66 pounds
Source: USDA Milk Production report, March 21, 2025
Cow numbers higher
February 2025 U.S. cow numbers were estimated at 9.405 million head, up 62,000 from a year earlier. The trend is similar in the 24 major dairy states, where February 2025 cow numbers were estimated at 8.963 million, also up 75,000 head from February 2024 (Table 1).
Compared to a year earlier, 10 states had more cows than February one year ago; 12 states had fewer cows. Idaho and Texas led all states in year-over-year growth, up a combined 78,000 head in February. That was partially offset by a combined 19,000-head reduction in Minnesota, Washington and Wisconsin.
Milk output per cow lower
The national average in monthly milk output per cow decreased in February 2025 and was down 61 pounds from February 2024. Among major states, the average year-to-year change was also down 66 pounds from the same month a year earlier.
Affected by regional weather factors, variations in feed costs and income margins, the difference in output per cow among those states was wide (Table 2).
Georgia showed per-cow output increased 60 pounds per month compared to the same month a year ago, while monthly production in California declined by 140 pounds.
Milk production lower
The preliminary estimate of overall February 2025 milk production was lower than the same month a year earlier.
Five states boosted production a combined 107 million pounds; 19 states reduced production a combined 554 million pounds. Year-over-year growth leaders were Idaho (up 61 million pounds), Texas (up 32 million pounds) and South Dakota (up 9 million pounds).
The states posting largest volume declines were California (down 238 million pounds), Wisconsin (down 93 million pounds), Minnesota (down 32 million pounds) and Washington (down 31 million pounds).
Idaho was the milk percentage growth leader for February 2025, up 4.66% from February 2024 with South Dakota and Texas both following at 2.35%. February 2025 production was down 7.07% from a year earlier in California, 6.38% in Illinois and 6.22% in Washington.
