By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin's dairy industry continued its strong output in December 2024, with total milk production reaching 2.69 billion pounds, according to the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Milk Production report. This marks a slight increase compared to December 2023.
Despite this rise in overall production, the number of milk cows in the state declined. The average herd size for December stood at 1.27 million head, which was 1,000 fewer than the previous month and 5,000 lower than December 2023.
The increase in total production can be attributed to a boost in milk yield per cow. Each cow produced an average of 2,125 pounds of milk in December 2024, an increase of 10 pounds from the same period last year.
Wisconsin remains a key player in the U.S. dairy industry, with its milk production trends closely watched by farmers, processors, and market analysts.
While the slight decline in cow numbers may raise concerns, the increase in per-cow productivity suggests that advancements in nutrition, genetics, and herd management are helping maintain strong output levels.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-vm
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy, Livestock, Dairy Cattle