The USDA released its latest Milk Production report for September on Monday. The agency announced it would release the report despite the partial government shutdown. 

U.S. milk production totaled 18.99 billion pounds in September, down nearly 3 percent from the previous month but 4 percent higher than September 2024. Year-to-date output rose to 173.7 billion pounds for the first nine months of the year, which was up nearly 2 percent from the same period last year. 

The combined number of milk cows and milking productivity has led to the overall growth of domestic production. 

The month-over-month decline was driven by lower milk per cow, which was 3.2 percent lower than August at 1,982 pounds per cow. However, milk per cow was still 1.5 percent higher than a year ago. Additionally, the number of milk cows increased 2.4 percent from a year ago to 9.58 million head. 

The USDA forecasts U.S. milk production to reach a record 230 billion pounds in 2025, according to the agency in September. Output is expected to grow to another record of 231.3 billion pounds in 2026.

The agency will release its regularly scheduled Milk Production report for October on Nov. 21.

—

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. FUTURES TRADING INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL RISK AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS.