Milk production in the USA is increasingly concentrated in fewer states. Just 10 states now account for 74 % of total US milk production, whilst the top 14 account for as much as 84 %. This trend is part of a long-term structural shift characterised by water availability, processing infrastructure and the economics of modern large-scale farms.
Regions showing strong growth since January 2023
Texas: +76,000 cows
Idaho: +71,000
Kansas: +70,000
South Dakota: +63,000
Michigan: +32,000
These states benefit from large, efficient farms and favourable conditions.
Decline in traditional dairy regions
Wisconsin, historically known as ‘America’s Dairyland’, has lost 44,000 cows over the same period. This illustrates the continuing decline in the importance of traditional family farms in favour of larger, industrially managed farms.
