WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. dairy production expanded sharply in 2025 and is expected to remain strong in 2026, as herd growth, productivity gains, and export demand continue shaping the sector outlook.
USDA reports the 2025 dairy herd averaged nearly 9.5 million head — the largest since the early 1990s — while milk per cow averaged 24,391 pounds, up about 1.2% year over year. Total milk production rose 2.8%, the strongest annual gain since 2006, supported by reduced culling and stronger beef-on-dairy incentives.
Operationally, milk components increased alongside total output, with milk-fat production up 4.8% and skim-solids up 3.3%. Expanded processing capacity in Idaho, Texas, Kansas, South Dakota, Michigan, and New York supported herd growth and higher throughput across the supply chain.
Prices were mixed. The 2025 all-milk price averaged $21.17 per cwt, down from 2024, though strong demand supported exports of butter and cheese at record levels. Domestic wholesale prices generally softened, improving global competitiveness for U.S. products.
Regionally, herd expansion remained concentrated in western and central dairy states, while some eastern regions posted declines tied to shifting margins and costs.
Looking ahead, USDA forecasts 2026 milk production at 234.7 billion pounds, with rising exports expected to tighten domestic supplies and support prices.
Falling feed costs and strong demand for butter could be good news for dairy farmers looking to get their finances back on track.
November 03, 2023 12:38 PM
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Where the Food Comes From producer Donna Sanders takes us along on a behind-the-scenes look at filming the show’s newest episode, “Clemson Blue,” where university cheesemakers reveal how they put the “blue” in their award-winning blue cheese.
October 26, 2023 09:00 AM
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It is in there, the mold — those rich blue veins in creamy blue cheese that make you either love it or loathe it — but how does it get there? This bonus scene from “Clemson Dairy,” Season 4, Episode 4 of
Where the Food Comes From, explains how and why that happens.
October 25, 2023 09:00 AM
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No, it is not some new college course — Clemson has been making blue cheese since 1941, and the product has developed a worldwide following and won some pretty big awards. With good reason — it is fantastic stuff. It is also fascinating to see how it is made. Check out this sneak peek look at the latest episode of Where the Food Comes From, “Clemson Blue.”
October 24, 2023 11:32 AM
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The machines do all the work at Hickory Hill Milk in South Carolina, and the pampered cows get on-demand service. The team at Where the Food Comes From shares a special, behind-the-scenes account filming the show’s newest episode, Robot Dairy, premiering this Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at 9:30 p.m. ET on RFD-TV!
October 19, 2023 09:00 AM
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How does a robot milk a cow?
October 18, 2023 09:00 AM
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