MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) — The number of Wisconsin dairy farms continues to fall as the industry embraces larger herd sizes.
Wisconsin lost 455 dairy farms in 2023 according to statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Wisconsin lost 50 farms in April, 48 in October, and 47 in July.
Minnesota lost 58 dairy farms in November and 34 in August. Minnesota lost 146 dairy farms between January 1 and the end of November, putting both states on track to lose 7.4% of their dairy farms in 2023.
The USDA says the nation has about 2% more dairy cows than a decade ago, but there are fewer dairy cattle than a year ago and fewer farmers managing those cattle.
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