USDA’s National Ag Statistic Service reports there were 9.3 million dairy cows in the United States on January 1st, up 1 percent from a year ago. Replacement heifers were up 1 percent at 4.6 million head with nearly 3 million expected to calve within the year.
California started the year with 1.78 million dairy cows, unchanged from a year ago. The Golden State had 750,000 replacement heifers on January 1, the same as a year ago.
Wisconsin started the year with 1.275 million dairy cows, 5,000 more than on January 1st, 2014. The Badger State had 710,000 replacement heifers on January 1st, 30,000 more than a year ago.
Texas had the largest percentage increase in dairy cow numbers up 7 percent at 470,000. Michigan was up 6 percent to 403,000 cows. Eleven states had a decline in dairy cow numbers: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Carolina.