Cow’s Milk

Wisconsin is home to more than 11,000 dairy farms and 1.26 million dairy cows. The state ranks first in the number of organic and grass-based dairy farms and leads the nation in the number of on-farm bio-energy technology installations, converting animal waste to green energy.

During the past several years, as cheese production has increased, so too, has milk production. Wisconsin’s 2010 milk production increased by 3 percent, cresting to 26 billion pounds, a new record. Statewide, milk per cow averaged 20,630 pounds, 551 pounds more than a year earlier. In 2010, Wisconsin accounted for 14 percent of the nation’s production.

Since 2004, the overall Value Added Dairy Initiative has led a cohesive team of Wisconsin interagency members to coordinate and focus resources for dairy farmers to modernize their businesses and for dairy processes to streamline the supply chain. The team has administered $3.28 million in grants to 321 dairy farmers, processors and local dairy groups. This assistance has been a vital catalyst for reinvestment and innovation in the dairy sector.

Links

UW-Madison Dairy Science Department
Center for Dairy Profitability
Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research
Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board