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638 Wisconsin dairy farmers left the business in 2018
The economic downturn caused many dairy farmers to get out of the business in 2018. In Wisconsin, Ag Department officials say the Dairy State lost 1.7 licensed dairy herds every day.
Fifty-four more dairy operations closed in December bringing the year’s total to 638. February and March had the least number of closings with 41. More Wisconsin farmers got rid of their herds in November than any other month, as 87 farmers quit dairying, or nearly 3 farms a day. June Dairy Month saw the second-most dairy farms shut down with 78.
Even with fewer farms, University of Wisconsin dairy economist Mark Stephenson says the other farms are growing in size and the state is producing more milk than before.
By design with help from the USDA and special interest lobbying.