The last post covered gains in butterfat and protein content. Protein levels were going up as the value of protein increases and butterfat showed some losses as the value decreases. This post will cover improvements in “Milk per Cow” which can also reduce producer costs. The results used in this post are based on data by state.
Table I lists the six major dairy producing states in order of highest to lowest in “milk per Cow.” Michigan exceeds all other states significantly and has maintained this position in the past. Michigan is 5% higher than the next highest state. Texas through Idaho are above the U.S. average. California, the largest milk producing state is below the average.
Chart I covers the trends for the U.S. in total. The improvements in “milk per cow” show a continuing increase in “milk per cow” but with some slowing in the growth rate in 2025.
Charts II through VI follow the trends of the six states listed above in Table I.
Michigan’s growth (Chart II) has been variable. From 2023 through 2024 there was almost no gains, but in 2025 there was steady growth in “milk per cow”. The increase over five years is 3%. Michigan remains to have the highest “milk per cow” of any state.
Texas has steady increases of nearly 5% with improved genetics, nutrition, and housing that improves environmental conditions (Chart III). That has placed Texas as the second highest in “milk per cow” in the U.S. in 2025.
The state of New York is traditionally a state with steady growth in key practices. This includes improved genetics, better and larger housing, improved nutrition, and increased frequency of milking. The five year’s growth is nearly 5%. Further improvements are likely (Chart IV).
Wisconsin has continued to increase “milk per cow” with over 5% gains in the five years covered in Chart V. The gains come from genetics and nutrition and better housing. Health is also improved by better vaccines.
Idaho has used technology to scientifically increase “milk per cow.” This includes genetic selection, improved nutrition, improved housing, and improved milking. This has improved “milk per cow” by just 1% over the five-year span.
Northern California has traditionally had a lot of Jersey cows that have lower “milk per cow”, but higher components. This has changed with a lot of cross breading with Holsteins. As that trend continues, the “milk per cow” will continue to increase.
Those states with the lowest improvements in “milk per cow”, include Florida and Georgia which need to combat heat. Gains in “milk per cow” have been slow with a growth of 1% to 2% over five-years.
The next post will combine gains in components, increases in “milk per cow”, and changes in milk pricing. The gains in components will be from the Federal Orders and the gains in “milk per cow” will come from state data. Combining these is not an exact calculation, but the trends will still show where the U.S. is gaining the most in producer productivity.
