March Milk Production Shows Positive Growth in Major U.S. States
WASHINGTON, DC – In a significant boost for the dairy sector, milk production in 24 major U.S. states rose in March. The volume reached an impressive 19.6 billion pounds, marking a 2.4 percent increase compared to the same month last year. This surge reflects ongoing expansion within the industry, driven by an increase in both cow numbers and output per cow.
Production Highlights
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average production per cow in March was recorded at 2,133 pounds. This figure represents a modest increase of 7 pounds from March 2025. Additionally, the total number of milk cows in these major states climbed to 9.18 million head, which is up by 188,000 from the previous year and 8,000 head higher than the count in February.
Revised Production Figures
The milk production figures for February were also revised, now reflecting a total of 17.5 billion pounds—an increase of 3.0 percent year-over-year. However, this revision was 11 million pounds short of earlier estimates, indicating some ongoing fluctuations in the dairy market.
Quarterly Overview
Overall, U.S. milk production for the first quarter, spanning January to March, totaled 58.5 billion pounds, demonstrating a growth of 2.9 percent compared to the same quarter last year. This growth can largely be attributed to an increased average U.S. milk cow herd size, which reached 9.61 million head during the quarter. This figure is 50,000 more than the previous quarter and 204,000 greater than the same period last year.
Leading States
California, Wisconsin, and Texas remain the top three dairy-producing states in the United States, followed closely by Idaho and New York, showcasing regional strengths in milk production.
Conclusion
In summary, the increase in cow numbers and slightly improved output per cow contributed to a notable rise in overall milk production for March. These trends signal a positive outlook for the dairy industry as we move further into the year.
