What is the USDA projection for the number of dairy cows by 2018?

The USDA projection indicated that by 2018, the number of dairy cows was expected to gradually decrease. This trend can be attributed to several factors, including advancements in technology and management practices that allowed dairy farms to produce more milk per cow. As producers focused on efficiency and increased production rates, the overall number of dairy cows was anticipated to decline while still meeting milk demand.

This gradual decrease reflects broader industry trends, such as consolidation within the dairy sector, where smaller farms are often absorbed into larger operations that benefit from economies of scale. Additionally, market conditions and consumer preferences may influence dairy farm operations, leading to fewer cows but potentially higher production levels per animal. Understanding these dynamics helps to clarify why the projection leaned towards a decrease in the dairy cow population rather than other scenarios such as stability or drastic changes.