Wisconsin's Dairy Landscape: From 29,000 to 5,661 Farms
Source: The DairyNews
In 1994, Wisconsin boasted 29,000 dairy farms, with an average of 51 cows per farm producing 15,001 pounds of milk annually.
Over the last three decades, the dairy industry in America's Dairyland has undergone significant changes. As of January 1, the state now supports only 5,661 dairy farms, a decrease of 455 from the previous year, indicating a continuing trend of farm consolidation.
While the decline in farm numbers was less pronounced compared to 2019, Wisconsin still experienced the loss of over one dairy farm per day in 2023. A decade ago, the state had 10,541 dairy farms, showcasing a substantial 46% reduction in the number of farms.
Despite the reduction in dairy farm numbers, Wisconsin achieved a remarkable feat in milk production, reaching a record 31.9 billion pounds in 2022. Preliminary data suggests that this record will be surpassed in 2023. Remarkably, farmers achieved this with 1.27 million dairy cows, significantly fewer than the 1.81 million cows 50 years ago.
The modern dairy farm landscape in Wisconsin has witnessed a notable shift in efficiency and productivity. As of November 1, 2023, each dairy farm averaged 224 cows, producing an impressive 25,064 pounds of milk per cow in 2022. This represents a substantial increase from 2017 when the average farm had 138 cows producing 23,725 pounds of milk per cow on 9,304 dairy farms. Notably, the average dairy farm now milks 86 more cows than it did just seven years ago.
In 1974, Wisconsin's cows produced a mere 10,500 pounds of milk per cow, totaling 19.2 billion pounds. Contrastingly, in 2022, the state achieved a record production with an average of 224 cows per farm producing 25,064 pounds of milk per cow. This significant jump in productivity underscores the advancements in the dairy industry.
Since 1950, Wisconsin has monitored dairy farm numbers, starting with 143,000 farms. Presently, the state hosts 64,100 farms of various types, with an average size of 222 acres, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
On a national scale, dairy farm numbers in the United States have plummeted from 53,127 in 2010 to 27,932 in 2022, reflecting a staggering 47% decline in just 12 years. Additionally, cow numbers have decreased from 11.8 million in 1972 to 9.4 million in 2022. Despite the reduction in cow numbers, the efficiency and productivity of modern cows have enabled the national dairy industry to achieve a record production of 226.5 billion pounds of milk, averaging 24,087 pounds per cow—approximately 1,000 pounds less than the average in Wisconsin.
While the decline in farm numbers was less pronounced compared to 2019, Wisconsin still experienced the loss of over one dairy farm per day in 2023. A decade ago, the state had 10,541 dairy farms, showcasing a substantial 46% reduction in the number of farms.
Despite the reduction in dairy farm numbers, Wisconsin achieved a remarkable feat in milk production, reaching a record 31.9 billion pounds in 2022. Preliminary data suggests that this record will be surpassed in 2023. Remarkably, farmers achieved this with 1.27 million dairy cows, significantly fewer than the 1.81 million cows 50 years ago.
The modern dairy farm landscape in Wisconsin has witnessed a notable shift in efficiency and productivity. As of November 1, 2023, each dairy farm averaged 224 cows, producing an impressive 25,064 pounds of milk per cow in 2022. This represents a substantial increase from 2017 when the average farm had 138 cows producing 23,725 pounds of milk per cow on 9,304 dairy farms. Notably, the average dairy farm now milks 86 more cows than it did just seven years ago.
In 1974, Wisconsin's cows produced a mere 10,500 pounds of milk per cow, totaling 19.2 billion pounds. Contrastingly, in 2022, the state achieved a record production with an average of 224 cows per farm producing 25,064 pounds of milk per cow. This significant jump in productivity underscores the advancements in the dairy industry.
Since 1950, Wisconsin has monitored dairy farm numbers, starting with 143,000 farms. Presently, the state hosts 64,100 farms of various types, with an average size of 222 acres, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
On a national scale, dairy farm numbers in the United States have plummeted from 53,127 in 2010 to 27,932 in 2022, reflecting a staggering 47% decline in just 12 years. Additionally, cow numbers have decreased from 11.8 million in 1972 to 9.4 million in 2022. Despite the reduction in cow numbers, the efficiency and productivity of modern cows have enabled the national dairy industry to achieve a record production of 226.5 billion pounds of milk, averaging 24,087 pounds per cow—approximately 1,000 pounds less than the average in Wisconsin.
Key News of the Week
Key News of the Week
