Massachusetts Agricultural Highlights, 1988 



DAIRY 



Current Status 



• 481 herds; 38,249 milking cows 



• Median herd size, approximately 60 cows milking 



• 1,268,000 pounds milk sold daily 



• The predominant breed (90 percent of all herds) is Holstein. 



Distribution of the Dairy Industry 



• 78 percent of our milk production comes from five counties in central and western Massachusetts. 



• The area of Worcester, Frankhn and Hampshire counties is our largest dairy region. Dairy farms here 

 generate 55 percent of the state's milk production. 



Milk Production Trends 



Average Number of 

 Milk Cows 

 1,000 



1984 

 1985 

 1986 

 1987 

 1988 



48 

 47 

 42 

 35 

 32 



Milk Market Trends 



Sold to plants 

 Million pounds 



Sold directly to consumers 

 Million pounds 



20 

 17 

 17 

 16 



Dairy Farms Protected by Agricultural Preservation Restriction 



• 72 dairy farms are participating in the APR program, representing an investment $18,807,700 in land 

 development rights since the inception of the program in 1980. 



• 48.5 dairy farms, on 9,686.5 acres, are located in prime dairy regions. 



Sources: Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, New England Agricultural Statistics (USDA) 



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