The milk cow population in the U.S. has grown significantly in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 (Chart I). During this time the milk cow population has grown by 3%. As covered in prior posts, domestic consumption of most dairy products is not growing. The trend for increased milk cows is not showing any slowing. This has created a need to export U.S. dairy products. It is also keeping wholesale prices for dairy products low, which in turn keep producer prices low. Char

April milk production numbers are in and have increased 2.8 percent from April 2025. Milk production totaled 19.2 billion pounds for April and after March revisions, March was up 71 million pounds or 0.4 percent from last month’s estimates. Production did decrease slightly from last month, however still well above last year. The number of cows has also increased above even the highest quarter of 2025 coming in at 9,618,000 head. That is trending 120,000 above last year’s aver

When you look out across the U.S. dairy landscape in early 2026, the view has changed. The vibrant, optimistic hues of a year ago have been replaced by what many producers describe as a gray skyline. It is a somber contrast to the outlook of 2025, revealing an industry that is simultaneously more resilient and more constrained than ever before. According to the Farm Journal 2026 State of the Dairy Industry Report, which surveyed nearly 250 producers with herds exceeding 100 h