Ranking Of States With The Most Milk Cows

Ranking Of States With The Most Milk Cows

The ranking of states with the most milk cows in 2025 highlights the dominance of a few key dairy-producing regions in the United States. California leads the nation with 1.71 million milk cows, accounting for 18.29% of the total U.S. inventory. Wisconsin follows as the second-largest dairy state, with 1.265 million head, representing 13.53% of the national total. Together, these two states alone contribute to over 32% of all milk cows in the country, reinforcing their leadership in dairy production and processing.

Beyond California and Wisconsin, Idaho (680,000), Texas (675,000), and New York (630,000) round out the top five states. These five states together account for 53% of the total U.S. milk cow inventory, demonstrating the concentration of dairy production in a few key regions. Idaho and Texas continue to see growth in their dairy herds, while New York maintains its longstanding role as a major dairy producer in the Northeast. The expansion of large-scale dairy operations in these states supports both domestic supply and international dairy exports.

The rest of the top ten includes Pennsylvania (465,000), Michigan (440,000), Minnesota (440,000), Washington (255,000), and Ohio (250,000). These states play an essential role in regional dairy supply, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. While their individual contributions are smaller than the top five states, they still represent critical hubs for milk production, processing, and distribution. As the dairy industry continues to evolve, these rankings will be influenced by factors such as feed costs, market demand, and technological advancements in dairy farming.