We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Symbols

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Does the U.S. Have Many Dairy Cows?

Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 1,957
References
Share

It's a bull market for dairy cows. The industry is producing record amounts of milk (223 billion pounds last year), but the most staggering fact is that the dairy industry is doing so with half as many cows (9.38 million in 2020) as it relied on in the 1950s.

The secret lies in science. Thanks in part to the sequencing of the bovine genome, as well as advances in artificial insemination, the amount of milk produced per cow has skyrocketed, roughly quadrupling since the 1920s. Other factors include better nutrition and management, and vaccines that help keep cows healthy.

To the relief of many animal rights advocates, the use of growth hormones is less of a factor than it was 20 years ago. "No question that is efficacious," said Mark Stephenson, the director for dairy policy analysis at the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Profitability. "A cow will produce more milk if provided that product, but increasingly consumers have been pushing away from that."

Tom Kestell, of Ever-Green-View Farm in Waldo, Wisconsin, said despite all of the advancements, the goal is the same: Produce good-quality milk at a good price without sacrificing the well-being of the cow.

Milking the facts:

  • During milk production, a dairy cow eats 100 pounds (45 kg) of feed every day, which is mostly made up of grains and grasses that people can't eat.

  • On average, a dairy cow produces 128 glasses of milk per day, or between 7 and 9 gallons (26.5 - 34 liters).

  • Farmers could only milk about six cows per hour before milking machines were invented in 1894.

Share
America Explained is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.americaexplained.org/does-the-us-have-many-dairy-cows.htm
Copy this link
America Explained, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

America Explained, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.