Cover of Amber Waves, June 2011 issue
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June 2011

| United States Department of Agriculture | Economic Research Service
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Statistics Heading

In the Long Run

 

 

Fewer cows but more milk through 2020

After a 4-year increase during 2005-08, milk cow numbers fell in 2009 and 2010 and are projected to continue year-to-year declines in 2012-20. Milk production is projected to continue rising in 2012-20, as continued technological and biological developments increase milk output per cow. Cow numbers decline at lower rates toward the end of the 2012-20 projection period as the transition in most regions from smaller, diversified farms to larger, specialized dairy operations matures.


Line chart: U.S. dairy herd and milk production per cow


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