Archive for US Dairy Herd Size

Where have all the dairy farmers gone? In Depth Analysis of the 2013 U.S. and Canadian National Dairy Herd Statistics

In 2013 more US dairy farmers left the business than in any year since 2007.  For an industry that has seen almost 64% percent of its members leave in the span of one generation, these are not positive stats.  Continued high feed costs, despite high milk prices, have seen margins get tighter and tighter causing over 2,321 dairy farmers to leave dairying in the last year alone.

Figure 1 Licensed US Dairy farms

Click on image to enlarge

TABLE 1: Licensed U.S. Dairy Farms & Average Herd Size by year

NameSireGTPI*OwnerState/Ctry
DA-SO-BURN UNO 781AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2647Darin & Sonya BurnikelCresco , IA
LARCREST CANTO-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2626Jon E. LarsonAlbert Lea , MN
T-GEN-AC SUPERSIRE RUTH-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2619Tim ClarkBrownsburg-Chatham , IA
EDG RUBY UNO RACHEL-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2615Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
LADYS-MANOR RD SASHAY-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2598Ladys Manor LLCMonkton , MD
S-S-I JEROD MINAL 8777-ETDE-SU JEROD 1223-ET2598Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
EDG HALLIE UNO HEATHER-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2581Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
CAR-J SUPERSIRE LILA-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2569Carlton WilliardGraham , NC
COYNE-FARMS UNO MAPLE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2545Coyne Farms Inc.Avon , NY
EDG RUBY UNO RIZA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2539Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
EDG RUBY UNO RANDI-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2535Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
VIEW-HOME UNO HOPE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2534Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
VIEW-HOME MCC FOUND-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2531Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
WOODCREST NUMERO UNO FUN-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2530Woodcrest Dairy LLCLisbon , NY
VIEW-HOME MCC ALABAMA-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2528Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
ROORDA MAY MCBABY 15866-ETDE-SU D MAYFIELD 893-ET2522John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
ROORDA SS MCJONI 15887-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2516John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
EILDON-TWEED SAJ TANO-ETGIL-GAR DOMAIN SAJAC-ET2516David R. WoodAmsterdam , NY
BUTZ-HILL MAGICGIRL-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2513Mark ButzMount Vernon , IA
VIEW-HOME UNO GRACE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2512Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
MS KOENEN NUMEROUNO 5835-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2508Gregory B Moret & Koenen DairyPrairie Du Chien , WI
APRILDAY-CG SS BETTY-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2502Edward Peck & Charles GarrisonMadison , WI
MS DREARY DRALA-ETSEAGULL-BAY HEADLINER-ET2501Trans-America GeneticsSt-Hyacinthe QC , CA
ROORDA SS MCCARI 15884-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2500John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
EDG HALLIE MOGUL HEART-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2497Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
MELARRY MOGUL FELICE-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2495Melvin C. & Spencer C. HackettRice , MN
BACON-HILL UNO MAUDE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2493Bacon-Hill Holsteins LLCSchuylerville , NY
ROORDA CUT MCCINDY 15917-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2493John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
ROORDA CUT MCJANE 15914-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2489John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
SPEEK-NJ UNO DANCE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2489Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
DE-SU GALAXY 2494-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2487Darin MeyerNew Albin , IA
VIEW-HOME UNO FAITH-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2487Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
S-S-I GLX MAYBELINE 8725-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2487Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
MORNINGVIEW MGL ROXY-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2478Tom J. SchmittDurango , IA
ROORDA SS MERRITT 15889-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2477John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
SPEEK-NJ DA MARIAH CAREY-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2475Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
FARNEAR CAM ALL AMBITION-ETSHEMA JEEVES CAMERON-ET2473Bryhill Farm IncOrmstown PQ , IA
LARCREST COTTON-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2469Jon E. LarsonAlbert Lea , MN
NORTH-ECHO MOGUL 2893-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2469Clear Echo Farm LLC & North FoSchuylerville , NY
SEAGULL-BAY MOGUL 1723-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2465Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.American Falls , ID
MORMANN UNO LIVANA 2184-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2465Daniel Sandra & Jennifer MormaNew Vienna , IA
VATLAND MOGUL MOCHA 3665-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2463Josh VatlandCaledonia , MN
COYNE-MCGARR MOGL LOTTIE-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2463Dan McGarr & Coyne Fms Inc.King Ferry , NY
HOLYLAND ECLIPS UNO 2145-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2462Daniel F. & Joseph N. LoehrMount Calvary , WI
LADYS-MANOR HDLR SHASTEE-ETSEAGULL-BAY HEADLINER-ET2461Ladys Manor LLCMonkton , MD
OCD PARISH DAFFODIL-ETPLAIN-KNOLL PARISH 5534-ET2459Oakfield Corners DairyOakfield , NY
REGANCREST NU BENISHA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2458Regancrest FarmsWaukon , IA
CO-OP RB MIXER OLIVEMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MIXER-ET2454Genesis Cooperative HerdShawano , WI
TJR MOGUL PACIFICA 2192-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2454TJR GeneticsFarley , IA
VIEW-HOME MCC ALASKA-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2452Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
SANDY-VALLEY HLNR TILLIE-ETSEAGULL-BAY HEADLINER-ET2449Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg BStevens Point , WI
JOOK SUPER SIRE 6839-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2447Lester C. Jones & Sons Inc.Massey , MD
CO-OP BSF MOGUL LYDIA-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2446Brown Star Farm LLCGillett , WI
DE-SU GALAXY 2486-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2445Darin MeyerNew Albin , IA
DINOMI MOGUL DAINTY CRI-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2445Genesis Cooperative HerdShawano , WI
SEAGULL-BAY MOGUL 1725-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2445Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.American Falls , ID
PENN-ENGLAND GIFIAN 9329-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2441Penn England LLCWilliamsburg , PA
ROORDA SS MIRCELA 15882-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2441John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
MS MOVIESTAR UNO MACE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2439Butler Borba Glaz-Way & DurrChebanse , IL
JOOK HEADLINER 6910-ETSEAGULL-BAY HEADLINER-ET2438Lester C. Jones & Sons Inc.Massey , MD
S-S-I STCHL MICK 8753-ETERBCREST SATCHEL P2438Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
JOSEY-LLC UNO SANGARIA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2437Josey 101 LLCTrempealeau , WI
DE-SU MOGUL 2490-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2437De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
SCO-LO ABRA UNO 2022-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2436John CannonDyersville , IA
TJR DAY PAIGE 2208-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2436TJR GeneticsFarley , IA
MIDAS-TOUCH MCCUT TISHA-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2435Kings-Ransom Farm LLCSchuylerville , NY
T-SPRUCE NUMERO UNO 7322-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2433Arnold B. GruenesRichmond , MN
DE-SU SUPERSIRE 2278-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2432De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
DE-SU SALEEN 2492-ETFUSTEAD SALEEN2432Darin MeyerNew Albin , IA
CO-OP BSF MOGUL LUCY-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2432Brown Star Farm LLCGillett , WI
LARCREST CACHITO-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2432Jon E. LarsonAlbert Lea , MN
DE-SU UNO 2297-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2430De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
TJR UNO DEIDRA 2204-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2429TJR GeneticsFarley , IA
SANDY-VALLEY HDLNR THEDA-ETSEAGULL-BAY HEADLINER-ET2429Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg BStevens Point , WI
SANDY-VALLEY MG CALAMITY-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2429Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg BStevens Point , WI
CO-OP DAY ROSETTE 6920-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2428Genesis Cooperative HerdShawano , WI
SIEMERS UNO REAL-PRETTY-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2426Siemers Holstein Farms Inc.Newton , WI
S-S-I STRLNG TAYLOR 8728-ETSANDY-VALLEY STERLING-ET2425Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
REGANCREST NU BENEA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2424Regancrest FarmsWaukon , IA
WILRA SUPER SIRE 537-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2422Wilra Farms Inc.Nashville , IL
STONEHURST NU CHESNI-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2422David & Anne Kulp & Todd GaltoManheim , PA
WA-DEL MOGUL BRENNA-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2422Rick L. WadelShippensburg , PA
STONEHURST NU CHASITI-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2421David & Anne Kulp & Todd GaltoManheim , PA
OAKFIELD MORGAN BUBBLES-ETS-S-I BOOKEM MORGAN-ET2420Alicia LambOakfield , NY
DE-SU EPIC 2515-ETGENERVATIONS EPIC2418De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
MORMANN UNO LIQUOR 2209-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2418Daniel Sandra & Jennifer MormaNew Vienna , IA
JOOK MOGUL 6736MOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2416Lester C. Jones & Sons Inc.Massey , MD
END-ROAD MAYFIELD BLAZEDE-SU D MAYFIELD 893-ET2416Duane & Janet MolhoekFalmouth , MI
KHW MCCUTCHEN AFLIRT-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2416High Altitude SyndicatePlatteville , WI
S-S-I OCOSMO MARIAH 8714-ETO-COSMOPOLITAN-ET2414Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
LANGS-TWIN-B S-SIRE 4961-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2414F. & L. Baumann and F. LangMarathon , WI
KP-ACK HUNTER 316-ETCOOKIECUTTER MOM HUNTER-ET2412Kevin & Pete AckermanSauk Rapids , MN
WOODCREST DAY DAWNING-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2412Woodcrest Dairy LLCLisbon , NY
DE-SU GALAXY 2504-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2412Darin MeyerNew Albin , IA
MS PETRONE DONALYNNA-ETWELCOME SUPER PETRONE-ET2412Trans-America GeneticsOakdale , CA
HAR-DALE-ACRES-JP PALACE-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2411Fred & Matt HarderAthens , WI
RI-VAL-RE SUPRSRE NALLIE-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2410Aaron JorgensenWebberville , MI
END-ROAD MOGUL BLISS-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2410Duane & Janet MolhoekFalmouth , MI
ROORDA UNO MOLLIE 15849-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2410John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
AL-LEW MGL ALABAMA 1196-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2409Scott I. SollenbergerSaint Thomas , PA
EDG LACY MCC LOLLIPOP-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2408Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
DE-SU UNO 2500-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2406De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
JB-DOMINIC SAJAC 3249GIL-GAR DOMAIN SAJAC-ET2405James E. BurroughsDenair , CA
CLEAR-ECHO CLARTA 2868-ET2405Clear Echo Farm LLCSchuylerville , NY
JERESA UNO PEPSI-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2405Jere L & Teresa J BrubakerMyerstown , PA
PENN-ENGLAND RUTHIE 9512AMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2404Barry M. & Diane H. EnglandWilliamsburg , PA
COYNE-MCGARR MOGUL BAINA-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2403Dan McGarr & Coyne Fms Inc.King Ferry , NY
FOUR-CAL DAY DARBY-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2403Four-Cal GeneticsCaledonia , MN
SCHILLVIEW SUPERSIRE GIGISEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2403Michael & Karen SchillerFreeport , MN
ST GENOMICPRO STARRYMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2403Sexing TechnologiesNavasota , TX
DANHOF MOGUL DELARAE-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2402Jason & Sheri DanhofWaukon , IA
AMMON-PEACHEY MSY MIFF-ETCO-OP BOSSIDE MASSEY-ET2402M & J Ammon & G S PeacheyLewistown , PA
CO-OP RB GALAXY GARLIN-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2401Genesis Cooperative HerdShawano , WI
MORNINGVIEW UNO REGINA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2400Tom J. SchmittDurango , IA
SIEMERS DADDY BOMBTASTIC-ETRONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2400Siemers Holstein Farms Inc.Newton , WI
S-S-I STRLNG SIDNEY 8732-ETSANDY-VALLEY STERLING-ET2399Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
CLEAR-ECHO SUPRSIRE 2878-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2399Clear Echo Farm LLCSchuylerville , NY
MORNINGVIEW MGL RENEA-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2399Tom J. SchmittDurango , IA
T-SPRUCE O-COSMO 7270-ETO-COSMOPOLITAN-ET2399Arnold B. GruenesRichmond , MN
SPEEK-NJ COLBIE CAILLAT-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2397Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
OCD PARISH DARLING-ETPLAIN-KNOLL PARISH 5534-ET2396Oakfield Corners DairyOakfield , NY
BLUMENFELD GRAFEETI 4282LADYS-MANOR RD GRAFEETI-ET2395Spring Prairie Colony Inc.Hawley , MN
KERIEL UNO BARBI-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2395Daniel K WiebeWhitewater , KS
FOUR-CAL DAY FELICITY-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2394Four-Cal GeneticsCaledonia , MN
S-S-I OFFIE TANDY 8638-ETCLEAR-ECHO OBSERVR OFFIE-ET2394Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
LARCREST CALADIUM-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2394Jon E. LarsonAlbert Lea , MN
SIEMERS DADDY BOMBI-GAL-ETRONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2393Siemers Holstein Farms Inc.Newton , WI
FARNEAR-BH SS MABEL-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2392Tom SimonFarley , IA
AL-LEW MGL ARCADIA 1194-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2392Scott I. SollenbergerSaint Thomas , PA
VATLAND MOGUL MOLLY 3663-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2391Josh VatlandCaledonia , MN
DE-SU UNO 2514-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2391De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
DE-SU UNO 2288-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2390De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
STONEHURST NU CHARISA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2390David & Anne Kulp & Todd GaltoManheim , PA
NORTH-ECHO MOGUL 2856-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2390Clear Echo Farm LLC & North FoSchuylerville , NY
NO-FLA PETRONE 34760-ETWELCOME SUPER PETRONE-ET2389North Florida HolsteinsBell , FL
S-S-I SHAN TEANNA 8755-ETLADYS-MANOR MAN-O-SHAN-ET2388Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
ROYLANE BOOKEM MEG 5457-ETDE-SU 521 BOOKEM-ET2388Gary & Bruce RoylanceWarden , WA
ZAHBULLS GOLDEN CRI-ETMOUNTFIELD MSY MAURICE-ET2388Genesis Cooperative HerdShawano , WI
CO-OP BSF MOGUL JASIME-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2387Brown Star Farm LLCGillett , WI
SEAGULL-BAY VN GALAXY-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2387Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.American Falls , ID
GIL-GAR S-SIRE SAUCY-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2387Henry G. StellingPlainview , MN
EDG BRYSHA SS BRYCE-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2386Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
KP-ACK MOGUL 320-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2386Kevin & Pete AckermanSauk Rapids , MN
SANDY-VALLEY SPX FREESIA-ETBLUE-HORIZON ALTASUPLEX2386Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg BStevens Point , WI
ROSYLANE-LLC MAURICE 5848MOUNTFIELD MSY MAURICE-ET2385Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLCWatertown , WI
PINE-TREE 4283 NUM1 5577-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2384Matthew J. SteinerMarshallville , OH
WELCOME DAY GILDEX-ETMINNIGAN-HILLS DAY-ET2384Welcome Stock Farm LLCSchuylerville , NY
RONELEE SUPERSIRE TAMMY-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2382Sherman PolinderLynden , WA
FARNEAR-BH SS MYRA-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2381Tom SimonFarley , IA
WELCOME UNO GORGEOUS CRI-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2379Genesis Cooperative HerdShawano , WI
EDG EVIE LITHIUM EMA-ETS-S-I DOMAIN LITHIUM-ET2379Elite Dairy Genomics LLCChebanse , IL
APRILDAY-CG SS ARETHA-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2379Edward Peck & Charles GarrisonMadison , WI
TEEMAR MOGUL ARMBAND-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2379Mark P. PaulLuxemburg , WI
S-S-I MASSEY BARRIE 8784-ETCO-OP BOSSIDE MASSEY-ET2379Select Sires Inc.Plain City , OH
UECKER LAYNE JOLILA-ETKELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2379Dale UeckerForestville , WI
SANDY-VALLEY BILLIE JEAN-ETROYLANE BOXER PUNCH 4311-ET2378Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg BStevens Point , WI
ROORDA UNO MCMARY 15844-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2378John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
SPEEK-NJ CLAUDET COLBERT-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2378Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
SEAGULL-BAY ALEXA II-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2377Seagull Bay Dairy Inc.American Falls , ID
VIEW-HOME MCC GLORY-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2377Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
SPEEK-NJ UNO GLENN CLOSE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2376Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
JOOK 1H10297 6667EILDON-TWEED SUPER CHAP-ET2376Lester C. Jones & Sons Inc.Massey , MD
OCD MCCUTCHEN DETROIT-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2376Oakfield Corners DairyOakfield , NY
ROORDA MOGUL DARBY 15796-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2376John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
LINERWAY UNO GOGO-ETSAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2375Jeff & Dan LinerVan Dyne , WI
ROORDA MCCUT DANNY 15902-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2375John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
BRANDT-VIEW DEAN DOMINGA-ETRONELEE SUPER DEAN-ET2375Brandt-View FarmsAnnville , PA
HONEYCREST MOGUL FANFARE-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2374Honeycrest Farms IncSpring Valley , WI
RO-WEE EXOTIC PARADISE-ETREGANCREST PARADISE-ET2374Robert & Kris WeedenRichland Center , WI
SPEEK-NJ CAROL CHANNING-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2374Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
WILRA SUPER SIRE 528-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2373Wilra Farms Inc.Nashville , IL
LINERWAY UNO GAGA-ETSAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2373Jeff & Dan LinerVan Dyne , WI
DE-SU GALAXY 2513-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2372Darin MeyerNew Albin , IA
TJR UNO DAISY 2196-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2372TJR GeneticsFarley , IA
DE-SU GALAXY 2484-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2370De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
VIEW-HOME UNO LUCIANA-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2370Country Dairy Inc.New Era , MI
HENNIKERS MOGUL REGENIA 2-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2370Holstein UKHerts WD3 3BB ,
DANHOF MOGUL DALLAS-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2368Jason & Sheri DanhofWaukon , IA
BUTZ-HILL MAGICNIGHT-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2368Mark ButzMount Vernon , IA
DE-SU LITHIUM 2276-ETS-S-I DOMAIN LITHIUM-ET2367De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
WCD-ZBW SUPERSIRE LALA-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2367Kevin & Barbara Ziemba & WoodcLisbon , NY
HOLEC PANZULMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2367A L H Genetics BVDamwoude ,
LARCREST CABARET-ETGENERVATIONS LEXOR2367Jon E. LarsonAlbert Lea , MN
PFAFFS COCO-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2367Kenneth J. PfaffRochester , MN
SPEEK-NJ UNO DECKLYN-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2366Neil McDonahTrempealeau , WI
COYNE-MCGARR GALAXY BAKA-ETDE-SU FREDDIE GALAXY-ET2365Dan McGarr & Coyne Fms Inc.King Ferry , NY
DE-SU LAYNE 2279-ETKELLERCREST SUPER LAYNE-ET2365De Su Holsteins LLCNew Albin , IA
MS CHASSITY UNO CUTIE-ETAMIGHETTI NUMERO UNO-ET2365Chassity Syndicate LLCOverland Park , KS
SIEMERS DADDY BOMBI-GIRL-ETRONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2365Siemers Holstein Farms Inc.Newton , WI
CLEAR-ECHO ODADDY 2892-ETRONELEE SSI O DADDY-ET2365Clear Echo Farm LLCSchuylerville , NY
ST GENOMICPRO RAMAH-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2364Sexing TechnologiesNavasota , TX
KERNDTWAY MCCUTCHEN DICE-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2364Mark W. KerndtWaukon , IA
WAKE-UP PETRONE EVE-ETWELCOME SUPER PETRONE-ET2364Wayne HoudekCaledonia , MN
VISION-GEN MOGUL MI14392-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2363VISION GENETICSMount Joy , PA
MILLER-FF SSIRE ELEGANT-ETSEAGULL-BAY SUPERSIRE-ET2363Joshua & Nicole MillerGlenwood City , WI
PENN-ENGLAND GIFIAN 9331-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2362Penn England LLCWilliamsburg , PA
SANDY-VALLEY HUNTER CHAR-ETCOOKIECUTTER MOM HUNTER-ET2362Dave Pat Frank Jr. & Greg BStevens Point , WI
ROORDA MCCUT MOANA 15909-ETDE-SU BKM MCCUTCHEN 1174-ET2362John & Larry RoordaPaullina , IA
KP-ACK MOGUL 319-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2361Kevin & Pete AckermanSauk Rapids , MN
AIR-OSA-EXEL M DEE-ETMOUNTFIELD SSI DCY MOGUL-ET2361Joey Airosa & Henry & CarolynTipton , CA

Of the 84,549 dairies that left the industry in the past 22 years, the majority did so between 1992 and 2002.  Regardless that does not negate the fact that since 2003 the decline every year has been at least 3.3%.

How the West Was Won

TABLE 2 Regional Herds, Cows and Herd Size Since 1992

TABLE 2 Regional Herds Cows and Herd Size Since 1992

Click to enlarge

figure 2 herds by region 2013

Click to enlarge

Despite the reduction in the  number of dairy farmers, national cattle numbers actually held seeing only a 0.1% reduction to 9.221 million cows.,  Production actually increased slightly (0.3%) to 201.2 billion pounds.  However, that is the slowest rate of production growth recorded in the past 5 years.

figure 3 herd size by region 2013

Click to enlarge

An obvious trend over the past 22 years is the significant growth in herd sizes.  The national average herd size has risen from 74 cows per herd in 1992 to 167 cows in 2013.  The biggest change in herd size has occurred in the West where there has been a 58% increase to 279 cows per herd.  In fact that average herd size in the West is more than 5 times the size of the herds in the other regions.

The Story by State

TABLE 3 Dairy Farm Numbers by State

RANKNAMESIRE STACKRZGRZMRZEOWNER
1FAGENOFidji x Ruacana152141121RSH
2RED MISTElburn x Spencer149135120WEU
3ERAGONElburn x Spencer149130127RSH
4ELSPEElburn x Spencer147134122RUW
5TABITTableau x Mr Burns144136120RUW
6MORRISFidelity x Spencer144137121RUW
7DESMONDDesk x Malvoy143136129RUW
8ELLMAUElburn x Carmano142124123RUW
9MILKYWAYMitey x Lawn Boy142132116RUW
10LANZAROTELaron P x Mr Burns142125126RUW
11GEERTFidelity x Spencer141135114RUW
12ATTIKAAxion-Red x Oman141134109RUW
13CAN BECamery ISY x Carmano141124120RUW
14AIRY-P-REDColt P x Pembroke140124118RSH
15FILIASFidji x Mr Burns140126118RSH
16DESKDestry x Gogo140129124RUW
17FIEROFiction x Tocar14014298RUW
18COLOUR PColt P x Destry140123133RUW
19LADYS SONLaron P x Zabing140128124RUW
20TARGETTableau x Ramos140125121RUW
21PASCHA REDSavage x Spencer140126116RUW
22LACOSTELarson x Destry140129132LTR/ZBH
23FALSTERFiction x Mr Burns139135118LTR/ZBH
24DEEPSPACEDeedle x Tocar139139124RUW
25KUMOFiction x Spencer139138105RU

Figure 4 Herds by State Heat Map 2013


The greatest percentage of declines has occurred in the Southeast region (6.5% decline), and the greatest total decrease occurred in the Midwest (1,755).  The only state to actually show an increase was Pennsylvania that had a 60 herd (0.8%) increase in 2013.

TABLE 4 Total Milk Production by State 2013

RANKNAMESIRE STACKRZGRZMRZEOWNER
1ELWOODElayo x September137132119MAR
2MALVOYMarmax RF x Celsius136127109RUW
3SELONOSpencer 2 x Achtung13512999RSH
4LARON PLawn Boy x Shottle133115120ZBH
5LEVANTLawn Boy x Classic132128113WEU
6COLD BOYSpencer 2 x Oman13212093RUW
7TABLEAUTlanet x Faber132121117RUW
8MAXIMO-REDMarmax RF x BW Marshall131137106OHG
9TOCARTopred x Lucky Leo131140106RUW
10JERUDOJerom x Rudolph130121108VOSt
11GOLDEN EYEGogo x Lightning128127106RUW
12LA CROSSEColby-Red x Dutch Boy127132107ZBH
13MALLOWMalvoy x Talent127122117RUW
14SERANOSeptember x Stoll126120102RUW
15FALIPOFaber x Tulip126122106RBW
16LUCATONILaruel x Talent125111116WEU
17CRUNCHCarmano x Lightning125116108WEU
18CAREMCarmano x Colby-Red124112121RUW
19BURLENTMr Burns x Talent124113119RBW
20CARAMELCarmano x Modest123114117RUW
21WESTPOINTWestwind x Kian123104112RUW
22STYLEStabilo x Origin123123106RUW
23STERNBOYStabilo x Komtur12312595MAR
24EMDARUElayo x Talent123124116RSH
25JOTANJordan x Durham123109125MAR

Figure 5 Total Milk Production by State 2013

Figure 6 Production per Herd – By State 2013

Table 5 Dairy Cattle Population by State 2013

RANKNAMESIRE STACKRZGRZMRZEOWNER
1SNOWMANOman x BW Marshall x147145126GOEP
2GUARINIGoldwyn x Oman147131125RBB
3BILLARDBillion 3 x Oman145139110RUW
4MAGORIANMascol x Oman145145102Masterrind
5OMEGAOman x Manat14313695RMV
6MAVIDMascol x Eminenz142137108WEU
7BJÉRKBolton x Oman142139116Masterrind
8MALIXMascol x Oman140128104WEU
9FROSKOFrosty x Shottle139138105LTR
10ENZOEncino x Oman13913598RUW
11OMAGICOman x Lambada13913394RUW
12BAKOMBREBaxter 2 x Goldwyn139131119Masterrind
13MASCOLMtoto x Rudolph138127105LTR
14NOG MATOMascol x Laudan138123115RMV
15MARACASOman x Convincer13813197Masterrind
16BANDINIBillion 3 x Morty137130109RBB
17SHOWTIMEShottle x Brett137131123RMV
18MASCARPONMascol x Oman137130100WEU
19GIBORGibbon x Sunnyboy137120103RUW
20GUNNARGoldwyn x Ford137125128RMV
21MAINAUOman x BW Marshall x136125100Masterrind
22JUGADORJardin x Finley136139118RBB
23WIZZARDWebster x Cash136130101OGH
24STERNGOLDStol Joc x Shottle136117120RUW
25LEKOLaudan x Jocko Besn136126119RBB

Figure 7 Dairy Cattle Population by State 2013

Figure 8 Herd Size by State 2013

Figure 9 Production per Cow by State 2013

Table  6 Top States 2013 by Milk Production Efficiency

NameLPIMilkFatProt%F%PConf
LONG-LANGS OMAN OMAN-ET3212149083820.250.2712
DE-SU GILLESPY-ET298725746969-0.22-0.1213
BADGER-BLUFF FANNY FREDDIE2985171766590.030.025
ENSENADA TABOO PLANET-ET296624978982-0.030.018
FREUREHAVEN NIAGARA2943221091770.10.038
END-ROAD O-MAN BRONCO-ET292322917075-0.1306
REGAN-ALH DIPLOMAT-ET29051382497300.2410
UFM-DUBS ALTAESQUIRE-ET2864973110630.690.273
GEN-I-BEQ BRAWLER285591062460.260.1410
SILDAHL JETT AIR-ET2824129272310.23-0.112
MAPLE-DOWNS-I G W ATWOOD281859662300.370.0919
GOLDEN-OAKS MEDFORD-ET28001555120430.58-0.068
CRACKHOLM FEVER279762056200.32015
DOMICOLE CHELIOS279484578410.440.1114
MAINSTREAM MANIFOLD2789179585700.170.092
O-BEE MANFRED JUSTICE-ET2780144780750.250.25-3
GEN-I-BEQ TOPSIDE2768119772450.260.0512
OCONNORS JAY2764129260740.120.2710
LIRR DREW DEMPSEY275636442340.290.1915
GEN-I-BEQ ALTABUZZER2748141782460.2806
SCHILLVIEW GARRETT-ET2746166965580.030.034
DELABERGE DEMOCRACY274544369470.490.289
HYLLTOP PRESLEY RED273486678560.430.246
BUTOISE BAHAMAS272617255273-0.10.146
WABASH-WAY EUREKA271116795169-0.10.127
CROCKETT-ACRES EIGHT-ET2706120570720.240.280
SANDY-VALLEY BOLTON-ET270620337157-0.03-0.089
EMILANE LARKIN270216464157-0.180.039
DEWGOOD BENEFIT270084145490.130.187
DE-SU BOWMAN-ET2692137771440.19-0.0110
ALLYNDALE-I ATTICUS268019447220.380.1414
CLAYNOOK TENNESSEE267459238400.150.1813
MORNINGVIEW HASKEL2670193587640.150.015
REGANCREST-PJ MAXLIFE-ET266971583450.530.1910
BRAEDALE GOLDWYN265631749280.360.1612
DYMENTHOLM SOLSTICE2655148570680.150.164
GILLETTE WINDBROOK265493762400.260.0715
CHARLESDALE SUPERSTITION-ET265317792857-0.33-0.029
SANDY-VALLEY BRYSON-ET2649160269520.07-0.0210
COMESTAR LAUTREC2648116872470.260.079
UFM-DUBS OLEGANT-ET263912864042-0.070.018
WA-DEL JUNCTION-ET263871193570.620.3-4
ROCKYMOUNTAIN LEGACY2629225788530.04-0.184
COMESTAR LAUTHORITY262852559260.380.0815
COMESTAR BRIGADE2622193977600.06-0.029
WINDY-KNOLL-VIEW PARTNER2617114248640.070.238
WESSELCREST AIRBORNE-ET261515212843-0.24-0.058
JOLICAP CARRERA2612159662580.050.065
VIORIS SLEEMAN260924506889-0.190.074
STANTONS ALTARIC-RED260890671550.350.226
VALBLANC LIBRA260610241833-0.18-0.0113
KARONA FANTASY260518465161-0.1306
BO-IRISH ALTON-ET259822347177-0.090.031
TRAMILDA-N ESCALADE-ET259569352220.24-0.0113
KILOBYTE25918812838-0.050.0811
GINARY ALTABERNIE258718154251-0.21-0.085
BOMAZ OMAN KRAMER 561-ET258521955953-0.2-0.165
CHASIN-RAINBOWS JADON-ET258114324852-0.040.0410
DUDOC MR BURNS258013103267-0.150.27
EXPRESS BOLLY257787654400.20.17
CHARITY ALTAGRATIS-ET257159957440.320.219
HEATHERSTONE-V MCGUIRE-ET257014174929-0.02-0.159
MORSAN BORIS256939857300.410.1511
JEWELED-ACRES SHARKY-ET256422287882-0.040.07-4
GINARY JAKE256326765958-0.33-0.247
GILLETTE CANYON25631214435100.17
GILLETTE JORDAN256284947290.150.0110
DIAMOND-OAK FROSTY-ET2560143166540.120.060
BRYHILL LOYAL256065955290.290.0611
GILLETTE WATCH OUT2558128191430.40.013
PICSTON SHOTTLE-ET2558115646340.04-0.0410
GENO MARITIME2557171365480.03-0.067
SILDAHL AIRRAID2555169082410.19-0.136
TRUE-BLUE SHOWBOAT-ET2552117946500.030.116
R-E-W SUNBURN2551118752550.090.1410
BEAUCOISE RHAPSODY255177532450.030.177
SMITHDEN AARON255196349410.120.0710
GINARY BRAD254516654245-0.16-0.099
GEN-I-BEQ LAVAL254121526561-0.12-0.086
ARDROSS STERLING2539112577590.330.195
CRACKHOLM FOCUS2539116946570.020.173
HARDWOOD BOSTON-ET253946744380.260.27
SMITHDEN ADMIRAL253895673390.350.077
PETHERTON ROX ITAK253687448480.150.175
GREENLEA ARTIE-RED-ET253558936470.140.2411
REGANCREST REGINALD-ET253538641290.260.1414
NURRES SLUGGER-ET253313363960-0.090.147
DEMARC RANCH253215074051-0.130.015
KERNDT BRILLO-ET252823725466-0.28-0.14
REGAN-ALH DU RITE-ET252887850600.160.284
HENDEL BIGSTONE-ET252895861600.240.244
ROCKYMOUNTAIN MARKER252518754851-0.18-0.19
VELTHUIS SOLSTICE252512729310.230.248
BREEZE HILL CIRCUIT2525-33755140.660.2314
COMESTAR LAWMAN2521129372350.23-0.0613
CLEAR-ECHO DRISCOLL-ET252186881340.460.064
MICHERET INFRAROUGE252171029280.030.047
DUDOC RADIUS251813443839-0.11-0.054
GILLETTE STANLEYCUP251160065220.40.0213
GILLETTE WINDHAMMER251160065220.40.0213

Figure 10 Top States 2013 by Milk Production Efficiency


In evaluating which states are doing the best you can look at which states have the most production (i.e. California, Wisconsin & New York), or you can look at which states have the most producers (i.e.  Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and New York).We prefer to rank by which states are producing the most milk per cow from the most efficient herds.  Using that ranking  we see the following top 10: New Mexico; Arizona; Nevada; California; Colorado; Idaho; Texas; Washington; Florida; Utah).  It is interesting to note that all of these herds are located in the West except for Florida and that Wisconsin, despite having the most producers and the most cattle, falls to #23 in the rankings for milk production efficiency.

How Does Canada Compare?

Table 7 – Canadian Statistics

NameLPIMilkFatProt%F%PConf
VEAZLAND MARION-ET212928905664-0.43-0.25-1
KELSTEIN OLIVER244627898289-0.17-0.031
FUSTEAD EMORY BLITZ-ET207327031623-0.71-0.538
GINARY JAKE256326765958-0.33-0.247
DE-SU GILLESPY-ET298725746969-0.22-0.1213
B-HIDDENHILLS MAR MARMAX-ET229425384471-0.43-0.1-2
WILLOW-MARSH-CC GABOR-ET216225122143-0.61-0.323
ENSENADA TABOO PLANET-ET296624978982-0.030.018
STANTONS SILENT204024693159-0.51-0.18-4
BRAEDALE BIGBEN16002463435-0.75-0.382
VIORIS SLEEMAN260924506889-0.190.074
MORSAN ROSETTE218724454348-0.42-0.261
MORNINGVIEW-MT-I LAKEVIEW227123835677-0.28-0.020
KERNDT BRILLO-ET252823725466-0.28-0.14
DRIFTY-HOLLOW MASTODON226523714354-0.39-0.23
END-ROAD O-MAN BRONCO-ET292322917075-0.1306
GINARY ROCKEFELLER195822824937-0.29-0.315
ROCKYMOUNTAIN LEGACY2629225788530.04-0.184
MR MILLION MEGA-MAN-ET213922573536-0.4-0.322
MAINSTREAM CROWN-ET178622522613-0.5-0.514
BO-IRISH ALTON-ET259822347177-0.090.031
JEWELED-ACRES SHARKY-ET256422287882-0.040.07-4
FREUREHAVEN NIAGARA2943221091770.10.038
ETAZON ADDISON170922051165-0.62-0.06-7
COMESTAR EL TOREADOR226722015042-0.27-0.259
REGANCREST LONGTIME237321962457-0.5-0.1310
BOMAZ OMAN KRAMER 561-ET258521955953-0.2-0.165
GEN-I-BEQ LAVAL254121526561-0.12-0.086
BONTEMPS-I ASHTON231021524049-0.34-0.188
GAVOR223721441174-0.580.023
MR ELITE-ET192321362148-0.51-0.190
DA-SO-BURN DAMASK-ET165921221934-0.51-0.3-3
PETHERTON DARBY18992121838-0.6-0.260
VELKOMMEN-VALLEY JORIDY-ET196020941735-0.53-0.282
RENADO ROCKWOOD237120724144-0.31-0.22
CASTEL231020584554-0.26-0.113
MY-JOHN DENBY-ET205320504351-0.28-0.14-4
ROCKYMOUNTAIN LONGSUIT226820405453-0.18-0.117
GEPAQUETTE CYCLONE193020363736-0.33-0.261
SANDY-VALLEY BOLTON-ET270620337157-0.03-0.089
COXLYN CAVAN197120232641-0.43-0.222
LE-O-LA EMERSON CLASSIC-TW239720092055-0.47-0.093
RICH-J SOSA-ET184320091733-0.51-0.28-3
MS POSIBILITY PRODUCER-ET226020034949-0.2-0.134
DELABERGE LAZARO18842000-937-0.72-0.24-3
PREMIER-G BLACKSMITH-ET240719955152-0.19-0.115
RICECREST MURPHY-ET234219785662-0.14-0.02-2
ALTAPPEL GLENDOR242119706943-0.02-0.172
CO-OP LONDON COSMO-ET23411967757-0.56-0.07-1
COMESTAR LITTORAL20781967340-0.61-0.215
SANDY-VALLEY BRISK-ET173419673038-0.37-0.22-6
DOMICOLE CHESTER235919595452-0.18-0.116
BENNER JUDO2345195884440.12-0.175
LA PRESENTATION CHARLY13891955740-0.57-0.21-13
STANTONS ENTER211519491041-0.55-0.191
COMESTAR LOUDANO194019442339-0.42-0.210
BEYERCREST JUDD-ET203019412229-0.43-0.291
COMESTAR BRIGADE2622193977600.06-0.029
MORNINGVIEW HASKEL2670193587640.150.015
WELCOME GARTER-ET209419334949-0.2-0.120
EMERALD-ACR-SA T-BAXTER247319146838-0.02-0.216
THORNSPYC TOYBOY17171907521-0.58-0.353
HORSTYLE MAXWELL-ET218319013467-0.310.044
EMERALD-ACR-VR CHASER-ET212319013053-0.35-0.07-8
LADYS-MANOR LANCE-ET174818871630-0.49-0.28-1
MY-JOHN ROB-ET221218823276-0.340.122
GLEN-TOCTIN LASHBAX-ET230218782453-0.4-0.084
ROCKYMOUNTAIN MARKER252518754851-0.18-0.19
COMESTAR LAUBUCK211918655929-0.07-0.277
GILLETTE WALLACE233318594042-0.26-0.168
GILLETTE WHITEFACE233318594042-0.26-0.168
RALMA-RH TRUMPET-ET222618595535-0.12-0.223
CLOVERHILLFM PLYMOUTH-ET237318576258-0.05-0.033
SUNNYLODGE SEYMORE17721856926-0.52-0.28-1
KARONA FANTASY260518465161-0.1306
GEPAQUETTE MESQUIN216118454154-0.24-0.061
GILLETTE WINDOVER202618431422-0.47-0.328
JNP-ATH-MOR MOSAIC-ET195118333439-0.31-0.191
MOHRFIELD FORM TRADEMARK-ET17381821-226-0.61-0.29-1
GINARY ALTABERNIE258718154251-0.21-0.085
POLY-KOW ALLTOP-ET247918114247-0.22-0.17
MISTER MADAGASCAR195718093137-0.31-0.2-1
STANTONS PRONGER12621806-913-0.69-0.39-1
MAINSTREAM MANIFOLD2789179585700.170.092
CHARLESDALE SUPERSTITION-ET265317792857-0.33-0.029
CRESCENTMEAD-A MOSES-ET14081777624-0.53-0.29-10
ROCKYMOUNTAIN LOCKMASTER226617764731-0.16-0.226
OCD ALTAPAXTON-ET20811771435-0.55-0.191
PLUSHANSKI ATMEN-ET225817672821-0.33-0.318
LEHOUX FESTIVAL219317612336-0.39-0.196
BLOSSOMDAIRY CALVIN183917583336-0.27-0.18-7
HA-HO CUBBY MANFRED-ET226017484752-0.17-0.04-8
JOCKO BESN221517424663-0.170.06-2
GILLETTE WOLF195317342216-0.37-0.344
GILLETTE WYMAN195317342216-0.37-0.344
SPRINGHILL-OH ELLIPSIS-ET17961728619-0.51-0.322
BUTOISE BAHAMAS272617255273-0.10.146
WALLACEVIEW PATTON2411172063410-0.133
BADGER-BLUFF FANNY FREDDIE2985171766590.030.025
RALMA COPPER226617165121-0.12-0.36

*Rankings are where each province would rank in the U.S.

Some interesting stats present themselves when we compare Canada to the U.S.

For example:

  • All of Canada has about the same number of herds as Wisconsin and Missouri combined
  • Both Wisconsin and California have more cattle each than all of Canada
  • More milk is produced in each of Wisconsin and California than in all of Canada
  • The average Canadian herd is about 60% smaller than the average herd in the U.S.
  • The average US cow produces about 5% more milk than the average Canadian cow.  (21,807 lbs vs 20,712 lbs)

The Bullvine Bottom Line

While there are certainly drastic differences in operation size across the different regions in the USA, the trends seem to be the same.  The number of dairy farmers is getting smaller and smaller and production is increasing at a slower rate than that of the U.S. population.  Continued increasing feed costs and decreased margins are only going to cause more producers to leave the US industry.  Since 2009 a perfect storm of plummeting milk prices and high feed costs have combined to push dairy margins to the brink.  Thousands have been forced out of business and many of those who survived are now deeply in debt.  Nationwide, dairy farmers lost $20 billion in net equity between 2007 and 2009.

Increasing global dairy marketplace competition and a US milk price that, although at a record high, remains lower than prices in Canada, China, Australia and New Zealand is driving producers out of the industry.  Unless more is done to protect dairy margins, these alarming trends are going to continue.  The day is coming in the United States when there will be very few milk producers left.  Is the US dairy industry coming to an end or a turning point?

 

 

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