The country which averages the second largest production per cow behind the U.S. is ________.

The correct answer is Japan, which averages the second largest milk production per cow behind the United States. This high level of production in Japan can be attributed to several factors, including advanced dairy farming techniques, genetics, and a focus on high-quality feed and animal husbandry practices. Japan's dairy industry places a strong emphasis on technological advancements and efficiency, leading to increased milk yields per cow.

In comparison, other countries like France, Germany, and India may have significant overall milk production, but their per cow milk yield tends to be lower than that of Japan. France and Germany have well-established dairy traditions but often produce less milk per cow when contrasted with the specialized and intensive dairy practices found in Japan. India, while being the largest producer of milk globally in terms of total volume, does not achieve the same level of production per cow due to its diverse dairy farming practices and a focus on subsistence farming rather than intensive large-scale dairy operations.