Which of the following states is NOT in the top three dairy producing states in the U.S.?

Texas is not one of the top three dairy-producing states in the U.S. The leading states in dairy production are California, Wisconsin, and New York. California has held the position of the top producer for many years due to its large-scale dairy operations and favorable climate for dairy farming. Wisconsin is traditionally known as "America's Dairyland" and has a long history of cheese production and dairy farming. New York also ranks highly due to its significant number of dairy farms and dairy processing facilities.

While Texas does have a growing dairy industry and ranks within the top five states for dairy production, it does not surpass the production levels achieved by California, Wisconsin, and New York. The dynamics of dairy production involve not only the number of cows but also the overall infrastructure, market accessibility, and regional farming practices that contribute to the significant outputs seen in these top three states.