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THE 2026 ZISK REPORT
Will your dairy be profitable in 2026?
ZISK has released a report projecting expected dairy farm profits 2026.
The Midwest is projected to be one of the strongest regions in 2026, with average profits of $588 per cow. Wisconsin and South Dakota remain leaders with $924 and $511 per cow, respectively, while Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska fall close to the regional average. North Dakota is expected to return $201 per cow, below the broader Midwest outlook. The Midwest continues to benefit from strong milk production, often exceeding 80 pounds per cow, and relatively stable basis levels.
The Southwest, including California, anticipates returns of $339 per cow on average. Arizona remains the standout performer with $771 per cow, while California and Nevada are expected to exceed the regional average. Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma lag behind, and New Mexico faces one of the weakest outlooks at $34 per cow. The 1,000- to 5,000-cow category again shows strong performance here, projecting $402 per cow and emphasizing the competitive position of mid-large herds in 2026.
The Northeast projects returns of $374 per cow. Strong returns in Rhode Island ($778 per cow) and Maryland ($570 per cow) lift the overall regional outlook, with New York following at $417 per cow. New Hampshire, New Jersey and Massachusetts remain below average, reflecting smaller herds and lower production, but the wider region, stretching from Vermont to Pennsylvania, expects a solid year. As in most regions, herds in the 1,000 to 5,000 range stand out, projecting returns of $601 per cow, compared to continued negative margins for small herds.
The Southeast is projected to be the second-most-profitable region, averaging $464 per cow. Producers with fewer than 250 cows expect losses of –$234 per cow, and states such as Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi fall well below the regional average – largely due to lower milk production. By contrast, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina anticipate strong years, with Florida leading at $633 per cow. These states typically operate larger herds with higher production levels, often exceeding 74 pounds per cow, and benefit from more stable feed-basis conditions.
The Northwest is also expecting a favorable year, averaging $405 per cow. Wyoming, Utah and Colorado lead the way with profits between $556 and $677 per cow, and both Idaho and Washington anticipate solid margins. Zisk users in this region typically operate larger herds, which aligns with stronger profitability outcomes. Herds with 1,000 to 5,000 cows expect profits of $401 per cow, while the largest herds (those above 5,000) are projected to earn $481 per cow, the highest in the region.
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