The latest numbers show the Badger State's milk cow inventory up 5,000 head to 1.24 million head as of January 1. After declining for many years, the state's dairy herd has increased each of the last two years--making Wisconsin the second largest milk cow state behind California. Milk replacement heifers fell to 655,000 head, down 15,000 from one year earlier. Milk replacement heifers are defined as heifers weighing 500 pounds or more which are intended for milking in the future.

Wisconsin's beef herd continues to increase as farmers added 15,000 beef cows to total 265,000 head. Beef replacement heifers rose by 5,000 to 75,000 head. Steers weighing 500 pounds or more totaled 360,000, up 10,000 from the previous year. Cattle on feed for the slaughter market continued its upward growth in the state. Cattle on feed increased four percent during the past year, from 230,000 head in 2006 to 240,000 head in 2007. Calves under 500 pounds totaled 710,000 head, down 10,000 from a year earlier.

Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection