For the first time in many generations, the total number of dairy farm operations in Wisconsin has fallen below the 11,000 mark. The state's agriculture department has announced its latest dairy herd count numbers, which indicates there were 10,915 herds milking during the first week of May. That's a drop of
about 600 herds since the same month a year ago.
Clark County continues to hold the highest number of herds in the state with 911, but had more than a thousand just a few years ago.
Forest County ranks last in the state with just one herd, followed by Milwaukee County's three.
However, the state's remaining dairy operations are milking more cows than ever at over 1.27 million head.
DATCP records show that 87 percent of state dairy operations are Grade A certified, with 13 percent licensed as Grade B.
