PA Dairy Overview

PA Dairy Overview

Pennsylvania is ranked 8th in total milk production nationally, with the Commonwealth’s 461,000 cows producing nearly 9.737 billion pounds of milk annually. The state’s annual milk production per cow is 21,121 pounds – or about 2,446 gallons – per cow. This is an increase of about 84 pounds from 2024. At 4,360 dairies, the state has the second largest number of dairy farms nationally, having more dairy farms than every other state except Wisconsin.

Trends in Pennsylvania’s dairy industry:

  • Pennsylvania dairy farms are the backbone of our communities and economy. Pennsylvania’s dairy farms generate an estimated $11.1 billion in annual economic revenue and support more than 46,000 jobs across the supply chain.
  • The number of Pennsylvania dairy farms is declining. Currently, 4,360 dairy farms are located in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s average herd size is about 100 cows, and 93 percent of all dairy farms in Pennsylvania are family owned.
  • The number of cows in Pennsylvania continues to decrease. Cow numbers in 2025 averaged 461,000. The dairy herd in the Commonwealth has been decreasing steadily for many years. In the last 10 years, the state’s herd size has shrunk 12% or by 65,000 head.
  • Milk per cow in 2025 increased slightly. Milk production per cow in 2025 increased slightly in the Keystone state. The average cow gave 21,121 pounds (2,446 gallons). This is an increase of about 84 pounds from 2024. Milk production per cow is up just over 700 pounds from 10 years ago or about 3.6 percent.
  • The state’s total milk production decreased for the fifth consecutive year. Total milk production in 2025 was 9.737 billion pounds, down 0.5 percent from a year ago, or about 45 million pounds.
  • Opportunities for growth exist in this region. Pennsylvania is located within a day’s drive of more than 50 percent of the population in North America and Canada. With abundant water, access to both domestic markets and international seaports, and a strong dairy infrastructure, Pennsylvania is well positioned for growth. However, finding incentives for companies to invest in Pennsylvania’s dairy infrastructure remains essential.

Creating a more favorable environment for Pennsylvania’s dairy farms will be critical to the industry’s ability to grow and meet increasing dairy demand, both domestically and across the seas.

To learn more about how to better support Pennsylvania’s dairy farms, contact the Center for Dairy Excellence at 717-346-0849 or email info@centerfordairyexcellence.org.