Milk per cow is a parameter to follow. It can lower the cost of milk for producers and the dairy community. Historically, this parameter has grown. Currently, the pace of growth has slowed. This post will show the status of all 24 states reporting this information and how the largest milk producing states are doing.
All data is based on 12-month moving averages to reduce monthly volatility.
Chart I displays how the U.S. is doing in total for all states. It is obvious that the increase in milk per cow has slowed. In fact, current trends show no growth in milk per cow.
Table one lists the first quarter of 2025 changes from the prior quarter in milk per cow. Michigan has, for some time, held the lead in milk per cow. Most changes indicate a flat market. Two states had major changes in the first quarter. California, the largest milk producing state, had a major decline in milk per cow and Georgia, a relatively small milk producer, had a nice increase. The states with small milk production are not shown individually but had a significant decrease in milk per cow.
Listed below are charts of the six largest dairy producing states. They are listed in order of their milk volumes.
California is the largest milk producing state. Their feeding formulas are very different due to the abundance of almond hulls. From their peak in 2021 to the present there is a loss of 4% in milk per cow. This has a major impact on the entire U.S. milk per cow.
Wisconsin milk goes primarily to cheese. Wisconsin has seen significant increases in milk per cow until the beginning of 2024. Has the effort to increase butterfat had a negative influence on milk per cow? Since the start of 2024 there have been no increases in milk per cow. Wisconsin also has a major impact on the total U.S. data.
Texas has had a bumpy increase, but over the time of Chart III below it has increased milk per cow by 5%. Texas has moved to the third largest milk producer over Idaho with a 5% lead in milk volume. Increases in components and milk per cow are significant.
Idaho, Chart VI, is ranked fourth in milk production. In 2024 and 2025 Idaho showed significant gains. However, they did not reach the record level in 2023.
New York state, Chart VII, has a long-term steady growth in milk per cow amounting to 6% over the term of the chart. New York, as a part of the Northeast Federal Order has a balanced mix of milk Classes: Class I- 27%, Class II-26%, Class III-30%, and Class IV-17%. The Northeast also has strict de-pooling rules which limit de-pooling. A major new Yogurt plant is under construction which will help maintain the Class balance.
Michigan has led in milk per cow for some time. Since the start of 2023, there has been no improvement in milk per cow.
SUMMARY
Milk per cow is not increasing. More milk per cow often comes along with amino acid balancing. Butterfat and protein are growing but not milk per cow. Texas and New York are increasing milk per cow. Will other states benefit by following some of the Texas and New York protocols?
