NASHVILLE, Tenn. — From the ranches and rodeo arenas to dairy barns, feed fields and family farms, agriculture connects nearly every corner of the lifestyle Tenn Texas works to celebrate and strengthen.
New reporting from Dairy Herd Management is putting an important spotlight on one of those communities: America’s dairy producers.
According to Dairy Herd Management’s Sept. 23 report, citing USDA’s latest milk production data, U.S. milk production reached 19.9 billion pounds in August 2026, an increase of 1.7% compared with the previous year. The national dairy herd reached approximately 9.71 million cows, 167,000 more than August 2025.
But behind those national numbers is an even bigger story about where American dairy is growing.
KANSAS LEADS A CHANGING DAIRY MAP
Kansas recorded a 13.9% year-over-year increase in milk production and added 29,000 cows, according to the Dairy Herd Management report.
Texas also added 29,000 cows while increasing milk production 5.1%. South Dakota production increased 8.4%, Oregon 7.7%, Indiana 4.8% and Idaho 1.6%.
Those numbers illustrate how America’s dairy footprint continues to evolve.
Dairy Herd Management’s reporting points to several factors influencing the movement, including water availability, land and labor costs, processing infrastructure and differences in operating environments among states.
At the same time, the numbers tell another story that deserves attention: behind every pound of milk are people.
There are dairy farmers and their families. Veterinarians. Nutritionists. Feed producers. Crop farmers. Milk haulers. Equipment dealers. Processors. Agricultural lenders. Researchers. Farm employees. Local businesses and rural communities whose livelihoods are connected to the dairy industry.
That network is exactly why agriculture remains such an important part of the Tenn Texas vision.
At Tenn Texas, we believe strengthening the Western lifestyle requires connecting all of the industries that help sustain it.
Agriculture is not one lane.
Beef cattle connect to feed producers. Farmers connect to equipment companies. Livestock producers depend on veterinarians. Dairy operations rely on crops, transportation, processing and countless agricultural businesses.
And ultimately, all of them connect to the consumer.
That is why Tenn Texas wants to continue expanding our agricultural coverage and creating opportunities for farmers, ranchers, dairy producers, agricultural businesses and industry organizations to discover and support one another.
The dairy community deserves a seat at that table.
TENN TEXAS SALUTES AMERICA’S DAIRY PRODUCERS
Long days don’t begin when most of America wakes up on a dairy farm.
Cows must be cared for every day.
Feed must be grown, purchased and delivered. Herd health must be managed. Equipment must keep operating. Milk must move from the farm into a highly coordinated processing and distribution system.
Through changing markets, weather, input costs, labor challenges and an evolving agricultural landscape, dairy families and the businesses supporting them continue doing the work required to help feed America.
Tenn Texas is proud to recognize that commitment.
Our mission is bigger than reporting numbers.
We want to help connect the people behind them.
Whether you raise beef cattle in Tennessee, milk cows in Kansas, grow feed in Texas, manufacture agricultural equipment in the Midwest or operate a small business serving rural America, you are part of an interconnected agricultural community.
And when we strengthen those connections, we strengthen agriculture.
THANK YOU, DAIRY HERD MANAGEMENT
Tenn Texas Media extends our appreciation to Dairy Herd Management and writer Karen Bohnert for providing detailed reporting on the latest changes taking place across the U.S. dairy industry.
Industry publications that provide farmers and agricultural businesses with timely information play an important role in keeping rural communities informed and connected.
We encourage our Tenn Texas readers to visit Dairy Herd Management for the complete report, including state-by-state production information, industry analysis and additional insight into the factors reshaping America’s dairy landscape.
READ THE COMPLETE DAIRY HERD MANAGEMENT REPORT
Tenn Texas wants to hear from the people who live this story every day.
If you are a dairy farmer, veterinarian, agricultural business, feed producer, equipment company, processor, hauler, association or organization serving America’s dairy industry, we invite you to connect with Tenn Texas.
Tell us what is happening in your part of the industry.
Share your farm.
Share your business.
Share the challenges facing dairy producers.
And most importantly, share the people and stories that deserve a spotlight.
Because the Western lifestyle isn’t built by one industry.
It’s built through agriculture, ranching, livestock, small businesses and generations of hardworking people whose lives are connected to the land.
Tenn Texas is working to strengthen those connections and bring our agricultural communities together.
SUPPORT AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.
SUPPORT OUR FARMERS.
SUPPORT OUR DAIRY FAMILIES.
SUPPORT RURAL AMERICA.
TENN TEXAS MEDIA
Where The West is ONE™
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