STATUS OF UNITED STATES DAIRY CATTLE
NATIONAL COOPERATIVE DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Status of United States Dairy Cattle
J. Lee Majeskie
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland
In 1991, the dairy cow population declined to less than 10
million dairy cows for the first time during this century. Although
the trend in the reduction of dairy cows in the United States has
been seen during the past three decades, the average amount of milk
produced per cow has increased (Table 1). Specifically, there has
been a continuous reduction in the number of cows from 1940 until
the early 1980's when the cattle population leveled off.
During the early 1980's, several factors influenced the total
milk production and the increase in cow population. For example,
the U.S. Government continually increased its purchase of surplus
milk, and the Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983 provided
dairy producers an incentive to remove cows from the dairy cattle
population. This act was known as the Milk Diversion Program and
resulted in the reduction of dairy cows in 1984. However, by 1985,
the dairy cattle population had increased to more than 11 million
cows with a total milk production exceeding 143 billion pounds. The
Food Security Act of 1985, authorized by the Secretary of
Agriculture, led to the Dairy Herd Buy-Out Program in an effort to
reduce milk production and surplus dairy stocks. The program was
successful in reducing the number of cows as indicated in Table 1.
The 1991 data show that 9,918,000 dairy cows produced an
average of 14,868 pounds of milk and 544 pounds of butterfat.
Although the number of cows has decreased since 1944, milk
production per cow has more than tripled since that time - a direct
result of improved dairy cattle feeding, breeding, and management.
All of these factors have influenced the level of total milk
production that exceeded 148 billion pounds during 1990 and 1991.
Data reported in 1991 by the National Dairy Board show that for the
period 1983-1990, total milk usage increased by 13.4 percent,
resulting in the reduction of milk surpluses.
Trends in Breed Registrations
As shown in Table 2, the Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and
Milking Shorthorn breeds recorded peak registrations during the
15-year period following 1945. Peak registration data were recorded
for the Jersey breed in 1930. The Red and White Association, which
began registering animals in 1972, recorded its highest number in
1989. There has been a general increase in Holstein registrations
during the past 25 years, with the greatest number registered in
1984.
The total number of registrations by dairy cattle breed
associations reached an all-time high in 1984 when 595,320 animals
were recorded. However, during 1991 only 458,597 animals were
recorded, the lowest number of animals registered since 1979. Low
milk prices and other economic pressures on dairy producers
influenced the reduction in the number of animals registered. In
evaluating the registrations for 1991, the Ayrshire breed showed a
6.2 percent increase in registrations compared to 1990. However,
the number does not vary greatly from a 5-year average of 8,358
animals. The Brown Swiss Association registered approximately the
same number of animals as in 1990. However, this was the lowest
number of Brown Swiss registrations since 1940. The number of
Guernsey registrations dropped 1,590 animals from the previous
year, resulting in the lowest number of registrations by the
Guernsey Association in over 75 years. Although the number of
registrations have remained strong for the Holstein Association,
the 360,133 animals represented a 9.0 percent decrease in
registrations from 1990. This was the largest percentage decrease
in registrations for all dairy breeds and was the lowest number of
registrations for the Holstein Association since 1981. The Jersey
Cattle Association had the largest percentage increase in
registrations during 1991 when 57,627 animals were recorded.
Registrations have continued to remain strong for the Jersey breed
since 1985 when over 65,000 animals were registered. Registrations
for the Milking Shorthorn breed declined slightly from 1990 and
there has been a general trend in the reduction of animals
registered since the 5,099 animals were recorded in 1982. The Red
and White Association reached the highest level in 1989 when 7,196
animals were recorded. There has been a general decline the past 2
years with 5,934 animals recorded in 1991.
The percentages of registered animals for each breed are
listed in Table 3. Although there have been slight year-to-year
fluctuations in registrations for some of the breeds, the Holsteins
have averaged approximately 80 percent and the Jerseys about 11
percent of the total registrations during the past 7 years. In
comparing the 1990 and 1991 data, there was a 1.9 percent reduction
in Holstein registrations and a 1.7 percent increase in Jersey
registrations. The Jersey breed ranks second in registrations
behind Holsteins, followed by the Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire,
Red and White, and Milking Shorthorn breeds.
Since the use of artificial insemination (Al) became a
significant factor in dairy cattle breeding, the ratio of
registered females to registered males has steadily increased
(Table 4). The Milking Shorthorn, Brown Swiss, and Holstein breeds
have the lowest ratio of female to male registrations. In the
Milking Shorthorn breed, bulls may be used for natural service in
both dairy and beef Shorthorn herds. In the Brown Swiss breed, the
ratio is influenced by the international demand for Brown Swiss
semen and the export of bulls. For the Holstein breed, the ratio is
influenced by the large grade population where dairy producers may
use registered bulls for natural service. Also, along with an
export demand for Holstein bulls, there are many young sires that
are sampled in Al young sire programs.
Grading-Up Programs
The number of animals recorded in a grading-up program is
influenced by the population size of the nonregistered cattle for
that breed. The Red and White and Holstein breeds do not have a
grading-up program for nonregistered animals. The requirements for
a grading-up program vary between the dairy breeds. Although the
Milking Shorthorn has the oldest grading-up program, the Brown
Swiss Identity Enrollment Program showed the greatest growth during
the 1970's (Table 5). All breeds, except Jersey and Milking
Shorthorn, experienced a reduction in the number of animals
enrolled in the grading-up programs. The total of 6,665 animals
recorded in 1991 was the lowest number since 1977. The breed
associations are working diligently to get the total number of
animals enrolled in the grading-up program to the levels that were
recorded from 1980 to 1985.
Grade Identification Programs
The two major identification programs for non-registered dairy
cattle are reported in Table 6. The Verified Identification Program
is a national all-breed identification program for nonregistered
cattle that began in 1976 and is operated by the National Dairy
Herd Improvement Association (NDHIA). The Holstein identification
program for grade animals began in 1976, with the greatest number
of animals recorded in 1977 and 1978. Both identification programs
showed a decrease from 1989. The all-time low enrollment data in
the identification programs during 1991 were greatly influenced by
the economic pressures placed on dairy producers. When the economic
situation improves, there should be an increased number of animals
recorded in all of the breed programs. However, one important fact
that will have a strong influence on these totals will be the total
cattle population in the United States.
Embryo Transfer Registrations
The growth of the embryo transfer (ET) program began in the
1970's (Table 7). The first ET animal recorded in 1965 was a Jersey
experimental heifer. The Holstein breed has been recording ET
registrations since 1975 and leads in ET registrations with 20,292
animals recorded in 1991. As the cost of the ET program has
decreased, all breeds have become actively involved in ET programs.
The Brown Swiss, Holstein, Jersey, and Red and White breeds showed
a strong increase during 1991 compared to previous years. All
breeds will continue to use the ET program to ensure the
development of genetically superior animals.
Physical Type Classification Data
The physical-type traits for dairy cattle have played an
important role in the breeding program of many dairy producers. As
shown in Table 8, the type classification programs began in the
early 1930's and have played an important role in genetic
improvement of dairy cattle over the years. The total number of
animals classified reached an all-time high in 1990 at 675,811.
Although the total number of animals inspected in a
type-classification program remained over 600,000 in 1991, there
was a general decline recorded for all breeds. However, the type
classification program should remain strong since physical-type
trait data are important in developing sound, genetically superior
animals for all dairy breeds. With the increased use of AI and the
interest of dairy producers in the physical-type trait data of
bulls' daughters, there has been a steady increase in the type
classification of grade Holsteins.
Official Breed Testing Programs
All breeds, except Red and White, offer a breed-promoted
program for cows on official test (Table 9). During the early
years, there were various types of programs that preceded the Dairy
Herd Improvement Registry (DHIR) program that is the current breed
test program. In the early 1970's, the Brown Swiss Association
offered a combined type classification and DHIR program that
influenced the growth in the number of animals on official DHIR
test during this period. The Jersey Association also has offered a
similar program that has shown strong growth in numbers during the
1980's. Increased animals on DHIR test also were recorded during
the 1980's for the Holstein breed, with 1991 being only 1 of 3
years where more than 292,000 cows were recorded in the DHIR
program. During 1990, the total number of dairy animals on DHIR
test reached an all-time high with 388,717 animals. Although there
was a slight reduction in 1991, the total number of animals on DHIR
test remained over 380,000.
National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement
Programs (NCDHIP) Participation
In Table 10, the numbers of herds and cows are reported for
the official and management testing plans. With few exceptions,
cows in both official and management DHI programs increased yearly
until 1984. The effect of the Milk Diversion and Herd Buy-Out
programs had a negative impact on the number of herds and cows
enrolled in the programs. At the beginning of 1991, there was a
strong increase in the number of cows in both testing plans, with
the greatest increase in the official plans since 1986. For the
beginning of 1992, there was a slight reduction in both testing
plans, resulting in a slight reduction from the all-time high of
46.5 percent of the cows recorded in DHI programs. During the past
2 years, over 46 percent of the cows have been enrolled in an
official or management DHIA testing plan.
In Table 11, there are production comparisons for cows on
official testing plans, management testing plans, and all other
cows in the dairy cattle population in the United States. These
data are reported for the years 1962-1991 and show an increase of
7,078 pounds of milk per cow for herds enrolled on official plans
and an increase of 6,279 pounds of milk per cow for herds enrolled
in management plans. Cows in both testing plans reached all-time
production highs during 1991. When comparing the superiority of
animals enrolled in a DHI testing plan versus all other cows in the
United States, there is an advantage of 6,471 pounds of milk and
232 pounds of butterfat for cows on official test and 4,992 pounds
of milk and 189 pounds of butterfat for cows on management testing
plans. (For more information, see Fact Sheets X-1, X-2, K-3, and
K-6).
Average Bull Genetic Merit
Average predicted transmitting abilities (PTA) for milk yield
(PTAM), fat percentage (PTAF%), fat yield (PTAF), dollars from milk
and fat (MFA$), protein percentage (PTAP%), protein yield (PTAP),
dollars from milk, fat and protein (MFP$), and dollars for cheese
yield (CY$) are reported in Table 12 by breed and category of AI
service. All yield PTA's are in pounds.
Each AI organization had the opportunity to examine the
January 1992 bull evaluations for its own bulls and decide which
bulls to code as active. Thus, all bulls listed as active AI should
be available through AI marketing systems. Bulls not coded as
active were required to have a birth date in the last 8 years to be
included in Table 12. First-evaluation bulls included only those
with U.S. Department of Agriculture-DHIA genetic evaluations
published for the first time in January 1992.
Status of Artificial Insemination
Reported in Table 13 is the amount of dairy semen sold
domestically and internationally, and semen custom collected and
frozen from dairy bulls in the United States. The AI industry
experienced rapid growth during the 1950's and 1960's and was
stable during the 1970's. Small, but steady growth was recorded
during the 1980's. There was a slight increase in 1990 for semen
sold domestically, but the level decreased by 634,078 units in
1991. There was also an increase during 1990 of semen custom
collected and frozen, but a reduction was recorded in 1991. In the
total dairy units column in Table 13, the 1990 and 1991 data
include dairy semen sold internationally. According to 1991 data
from the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB),
approximately 70 percent of the dairy cow population and 25 percent
of the dairy heifers are being bred using Al. There has been a
decrease during the years in the number of virgin heifers being
bred to beef bulls due to the increased information of "calving
ease" data on Al sires.
Table 1. Dairy cow population and production per cow and total milk
production in the U.S.^a
Average production per cow
Year Total cows^b Milk Fat Fat Total Milk
(lb) (%) (lb) (lb)
1940 23,671,000 4,622 3.97 183 109,412,000,000
1942 25,027,000 4,736 3.97 188 118,533,000,000
1944 25,597,000 4,572 3.98 182 117,023,000,000
1946 24,089,000 4,886 3.97 194 117,697,000,000
1948 22,336,000 5,044 3.97 200 112,671,000,000
1950 21,944,000 5,314 3.96 210 116,602,000,000
1952 21,338,000 5,374 3.90 210 114,671,000,000
1954 21,581,000 5,657 3.86 219 122,094,000,000
1956 20,501,000 6,090 3.82 233 124,860,000,000
1958 18,711,000 6,585 3.78 249 123,220,000,000
1960 17,515,000 7,029 3.76 264 123,109,000,000
1962 16,842,000 7,496 3.74 280 126,251,000,000
1964 15,677,000 8,099 3.70 300 126,967,000,000
1966 14,071,000 8,522 3.69 314 119,912,000,000
1968 12,832,000 9,135 3.67 335 117,225,000,000
1970 12,000,000 9,751 3.66 357 117,007,000,000
1971 11,839,000 10,015 3.66 367 118,566,000,000
1972 11,700,000 10,259 3.67 377 120,025,000,000
1973 11,413,000 10,119 3.66 370 115,491,000,000
1974 11,230,000 10,293 3.66 377 115,586,000,000
1975 11,139,000 10,360 3.68 381 115,398,000,000
1976 11,032,000 10,894 3.66 399 120,180,000,000
1977 10,945,000 11,206 3.65 410 122,654,000,000
1978 10,803,000 11,243 3.67 412 121,461,000,000
1979 10,743,000 11,488 3.66 421 123,411,000,000
1980 10,815,000 11,875 3.65 434 128,425,000,000
1981 10,923,000 12,177 3.64 443 133,013,000,000
1982 11,011,000 12,306 3.65 450 135,505,000,000
1983 11,098,000 12,585 3.66 460 139,672,000,000
1984 10,833,000 12,503 3.66 458 135,450,000,000
1985 11,016,000 12,994 3.67 476 143,147,000,000
1986 10,813,000 13,260 3.67 487 143,381,000,000
1987 10,334,000 13,786 3.66 505 142,462,000,000
1988 10,239,000 14,213 3.67 522 145,527,000,000
1989 10,125,000 14,355 3.69 530 145,342,000,000
1990 10,169,000 14,646 3.65 534 148,284,000,000
1991^c 9,918,000 14,868 3.66 544 148,534,000,000
a^ Data reported by National Agricultural Statistics Service,
USDA.
b^ Data obtained at the end of the year. Counts taken at the
beginning of the year will differ (see Table 10).
c^ Estimated.
Table 2. Registration of animals by dairy breed associations.*
Brown Milking Red &
Year Ayrshire Swiss Guernsey Holstein Jersey Shorthorn White Total
1900 2,080 1,538 5,108 12,518 21,244
1905 2,670 11,760 9,670 24,100
1910 3,728 5,465 32,889 18,679 60,761
1915 1,195 11,506 72,665 33,005 118,371
1920 6,809 2,102 20,811 127,850 43,119 200,691
1925 7,533 3,475 32,246 109,594 51,753 204,601
1930 10,209 5,884 40,84 105,143 68,022 230,102
1935 13,854 6,420 43,089 76,885 38,467 178,715
1940 16,234 11,161 57,796 145,423 48,078 278,692
1945 21,517 18,804 76,897 113,446 56,825 287,489
1950 24,236 22,721 94,901 184,246 67,309 28,290 421,703
1955 23,035 21,667 81,566 197,608 60,020 22,121 406,017
1960 16,831 23,949 62,891 265,861 54,695 9,525 433,752
1965 12,893 17,883 57,836 256,769 43,573 5,656 394,610
1970 15,069 16,416 43,783 281,574 37,097 5,410 399,349
1971 13,069 13,743 32,418 309,489 37,977 4,263 410,959
1972 13,883 14,853 34,451 277,851 39,396 4,892 809 386,135
1973 12,692 15,006 30,196 285,819 33,104 4,575 1,082 382,474
1974 11,076 15,155 28,920 291,789 35,812 4,634 1,595 388,981
1975 12,036 14,044 27,441 279,146 39,707 4,548 1,658 378,580
1976 11,237 15,919 26,210 295,883 40,616 4,797 2,169 396,831
1977 11,415 12,022 24,509 330,615 38,144 3,920 2,524 423,149
1978 12,195 13,667 23,886 305,489 37,549 4,583 3,872 401,241
1979 10,008 13,712 25,453 330,691 38,584 3,969 3,905 426,322
1980 10,977 12,871 20,907 353,949 60,975 4,924 4,756 469,359
1981 10,505 14,436 21,865 376,966 53,981 3,981 6,008 487,742
1982 11,911 12,770 20,478 386,898 58,569 5,099 5,031 500,756
1983 10,695 13,732 28,406 425,385 53,987 4,085 6,014 542,304
1984 9,664 13,839 20,849 492,380 50,192 3,374 5,022 595,320
1985 11,120 11,974 25,106 394,506 65,357 3,372 5,289 516,724
1986 8,838 12,094 16,737 412,272 50,269 3,245 5,306 508,761
1987 8,199 13,316 20,352 377,131 52,713 3,059 4,868 479,638
1988 8,065 12,376 16,644 392,883 57,236 3,356 4,946 495,506
1989 9,539 12,473 18,007 380,009 53,273 3,093 7,196 483,590
1990 7,752 11,756 13,930 395,906 53,547 2,596 6,651 492,138
1991 8,234 11,751 12,340 360,133 57,627 2,578 5,934 458,597
*-Data reported by breed associations.
Table 3. Percentage of total registered by breed*
Brown Milking Red &
Year Ayrshire Swiss Guernsey Holstein Jersey Shorthorn White
1900 9.8 7.2 24.0 58.9
1905 10.8 9.9 43.5 35.8
1910 6.1 9.0 54.1 30.7
1915 4.3 1.0 9.3 58.8 26.7
1920 3.4 1.0 10.4 63.7 21.5
1925 3.7 1.7 15.8 53.6 25.3
1930 4.4 2.6 17.8 45.7 29.6
1935 7.8 3.6 24.1 43.0 21.5
1940 5.8 4.0 20.7 52.2 17.3
1945 7.5 6.5 26.7 39.5 19.8
1950 5.7 5.4 22.5 43.7 16.0 6.7
1955 5.7 5.3 20.1 48.7 14.8 5.4
1960 3.9 5.5 14.5 61.3 12.6 2.2
1965 3.3 4.5 14.7 65.1 11.0 1.4
1970 3.8 4.1 11.0 70.5 9.3 1.4
1975 3.2 3.7 7.2 73.7 10.5 1.2 <1.0
1980 2.3 2.7 4.5 75.4 13.0 1.0 1.0
1981 2.2 3.0 4.5 77.3 11.1 <1.0 1.2
1982 2.4 2.6 4.1 77.3 11.7 1.0 1.0
1983 2.0 2.5 5.2 78.4 10.0 <1.0 1.1
1984 1.6 2.3 3.5 82.7 8.4 <1.0 <1.0
1985 2.2 2.3 4.9 76.3 12.6 <1.0 1.0
1986 1.7 2.4 3.3 81.0 9.9 <1.0 1.0
1987 1.7 2.8 4.2 78.6 11.0 <1.0 1.0
1988 1.6 2.5 3.4 79.3 11.6 <1.0 1.0
1989 2.0 2.6 3.7 78.6 11.0 <1.0 1.5
1990 1.6 2.4 2.8 80.4 10.9 <1.0 1.4
1991 1.8 2.6 2.7 78.5 12.6 <1.0 1.3
* Calculated from data reported by breed associations.
Table 4. Ratio of females to males registered*
Brown Milking Red &
Year Ayrshire Swiss Guernsey Holstein Jersey Shorthorn White
1900 2.9 1.5 2.5 3.0
1910 1.6 1.6 2.4
1920 3.4 1.4 1.6 2.2 2.8
1930 4.0 1.5 2.2 2.6 2.7
1940 4.9 2.3 3.1 4.6 3.6
1950 6.1 2.9 4.9 4.0 5.0
1960 11.3 7.9 13.4 10.1 12.4
1970 14.6 6.4 20.6 12.9 17.1
1980 17.5 9.4 24.8 11.2 26.5 14.6
1985 33.6 12.7 27.5 11.9 33.3 11.5
1987 26.2 13.7 29.0 12.1 26.5 12.0
1988 26.4 13.2 28.4 11.6 28.3 8.5 9.5
1989 31.3 10.6 27.5 11.1 29.9 8.4 13.3
1990 30.1 10.7 28.6 11.2 28.1 8.7 13.7
1991 32.0 10.2 30.2 11.3 28.6 9.2 11.4
* Data reported by breed associations. (Milking Shorthorn and Red
and White data by sex not available.)
Table 5. Participation in grading-up programs of dairy breed
associations^a
Brown Milking
Year Aryshire^b Swiss^c Guernsey^d Jersey^e Shorthorn^f Total
1970 23 1,401 176 115 1,715
1971 105 991 138 83 1,317
1972 63 2,005 76 75 2,219
1973 72 2,267 122 51 2,512
1974 75 2,125 80 132 2,412
1975 68 1,687 49 2,047 96 3,947
1976 117 2,997 134 6,219 173 9,640
1977 287 2,386 170 3,421 145 6,409
1978 121 2,425 196 5,532 202 8,476
1979 173 2,616 651 4,403 274 8,117
1980 541 2,891 1,076 11,529 327 16,364
1981 245 2,727 1,364 12,046 254 16,636
1982 310 2,215 2,251 13,610 316 18,702
1983 523 2,063 3,800 9,136 491 16,013
1984 489 2,473 1,627 6,329 378 11,296
1985 126 2,054 1,796 10,819 137 14,932
1986 137 1,931 777 6,392 233 9,470
1987 147 2,077 2,003 6,562 251 11,040
1988 140 2,095 1,900 4,388 334 8,857
1989 156 1,635 1,876 3,796 362 7,825
1990 268 1,376 1,317 4,058 307 7,326
1991 141 1,235 869 4,101 319 6,665
a^ Data reported by breed associations. Red and White has
provision for grading up but not reported as such. Holstein has
no grading-up program.
b^ Ayrshire Genetic Recovery Program.
c^ Brown Swiss Identity Enrollment Program.
d^ Guernsey Provisional Registration replaced by Genetic Recovery
Program on 4/1/82; totals include Guernsey Genetic Growth
Program since 1986.
e^ Jersey Genetic Recovery Program.
f^ Milking Shorthorn Grade-Up Program started in 1945 but totals
not recorded until 1970. Experimental or Birth Record Program
started in 1975 and is included in these totals.
Table 6. Identification programs
Year VIP^a IHF^b
1976 1,109
1977 42,207
1978 43,376
1979 12,213 29,727
1980 12,813 31,603
1981 16,675 35,766
1982 18,015 38,681
1983 15,035 38,466
1984 13,398 38,214
1985 12,075 31,410
1986 11,326 29,129
1987 13,321 28,333
1988 9,096 32,125
1989 9,125 30,608
1990 8,946 30,133
1991 7,061 24,492
a^ verified Identification Program of National DHIA. Data reported
by National DHIA.
b^ Identified Holstein Female Program. Data reported by the
Holstein Association.
Table 7. Embryo transfer (ET) registrations by dairy breed
associations^a
Brown Milking Red &
Year Ayrs. Swiss Guern.^b Hols. Jers. Shorthorn White Total
1965 1^c 1
1975 18 18
1976 141 141
1977 301 1 1 303
1978 671 4 675
1979 1,525 5 1,530
1980 3,642 4 1 6 3,653
1981 5,901 71 11 78 6,061
1982 8,358 114 11 69 8,552
1983 10,387 178 0 85 10,650
1984 12,951 199 5 74 13,229
1985 14,568 164 13 148 14,893
1986 41 14,790 230 0 118 15,179
1987 61 220 15,696 318 1 157 16,453
1988 63 367 16,807 404 2 269 17,912
1989 78 422 17,751 570 2 352 19,175
1990 79 365 154 19,780 596 8 308 21,290
1991 62 510 148 20,292 798 6 373 22,189
a^ Data reported by breed associations.
b^ Data not available before 1990.
c^ Experimental heifer-University of Kentucky.
Table 8. Type classification or inspection of cows by dairy breed
associations^a
Brown Holstein Milk. Red &
Year Ayrs. Swiss Guer. Reg.^b Grade Jers. Shthrn Whte Tot.
1930 1,046 1,046
1932 58 58
1934 66 66
1936 676 676
1938 524 1,781 2,305
1940 1,403 1,885 3,288
1942 2,259 9,004 4,566 15,829
1944 1,826 1,625 10,753 11,074 25,278
1946 3,529 1,103 14,306 10,500 29,438
1948 2,919 1,333 7,386 12,632 19,474 43,744
1950 1,574 1,350 6,025 16,275 15,273 40,497
1952 3,662 2,753 8,588 16,963 15,487 47,453
1954 3,226 1,200 7,533 23,024 33,408 68,391
1956 2,501 2,096 9,908 30,208 29,096 73,809
1958 4,026 2,441 11,226 44,899 38,645 101,237
1960 3,894 1,678 16,139 55,906 52,388 130,005
1962 2,162 4,222 15,797 64,986 36,821 1,200 125,188
1964 1,812 3,936 12,763 74,123 21,012 1,348 114,994
1966 1,645 2,442 12,849 81,535 18,612 1,769 118,852
1968 2,102 2,628 15,887 83,534 16,895 607 126,653
1970 2,423 4,172 16,441 99,361 10,974 884 134,255
1972 1,740 7,381 11,235 113,461 14,743 400 168,960
1974 2,371 7,679 15,217 175,409 13,440 1,125 410 215,651
1976 4,367 6,073 13,373 269,573 5,000 21,275 1,483 646 321,790
1978 5,506 7,279 12,667 321,315 25,271 24,583 1,459 1,176 399,256
1980 6,629 8,894 13,811 413,023 26,736 23,430 1,228 499 494,250
1981 5,408 8,676 12,928 429,657 31,680 26,263 1,711 1,982 518,305
1982 5,630 13,384 15,698 466,600 37,490 35,858 1,921 1,030 577,611
1983 2,413 11,673 7,550 406,991 30,805 35,807 669 721 496,629
1984 6,303 11,164 15,916 433,313 34,945 40,567 1,719 1,135 545,062
1985 4,978 10,026 15,650 388,419 33,918 39,860 1,210 1,575 495,636
1986 3,298 10,322 12,530 382,085 54,318 34,293 1,626 1,609 500,081
1987 4,843 10,315 11,655 409,655 56,453 42,783 1,762 1,889 539,355
1988 3,569 9,446 11,405 386,787 47,910 35,960 729 1,833 497,639
1989 5,171 11,893 15,605 404,951 65,221 42,009 1,734 1,326 547,910
1990 5,307 11,606 11,239 520,750 78,749 42,997 1,875 3,288 675,811
1991 2,966 10,764 9,281 466,478 74,451 36,318 712 1,801 602,771
a^ Data reported by breed associations.
b^ Total includes registered and identified females since 1984.
Table 9. Cows on official breed testing programs*
Brown Milking
Year Ayr. Swiss Guer. Hols. Jersey Shorthorn Total
1930 3,818 4,523 4,280 12,621
1932 3,057 4,379 3,843 11,279
1934 3,973 4,871 4,584 13,428
1936 5,918 8,566 6,141 20,625
1938 9,998 10,660 9,322 29,980
1940 2,063 10,267 10,371 9,863 32,564
1942 3,183 9,753 11,691 11,440 36,067
1944 3,566 11,234 13,118 16,026 43,944
1946 5,187 17,095 19,692 21,812 63,786
1948 5,822 20,561 28,596 27,077 82,056
1950 7,190 24,810 36,592 31,319 99,911
1952 8,202 24,957 46,258 31,927 111,344
1954 8,836 38,408 53,580 33,111 133,935
1956 14,617 8,404 37,218 63,332 29,956 153,527
1958 12,269 8,201 40,747 73,336 27,746 162,299
1960 15,577 7,744 41,742 90,056 29,157 184,276
1962 10,319 7,182 42,116 134,338 29,434 2,733 226,122
1964 9,643 7,788 37,953 135,653 25,767 2,613 219,417
1966 8,332 8,112 33,589 138,667 28,206 2,540 219,446
1968 8,087 8,045 29,260 132,373 26,907 2,519 207,191
1970 8,198 7,424 26,676 125,446 26,560 2,113 196,417
1972 7,300 8,740 23,681 115,906 27,188 1,553 184,368
1974 6,896 11,638 21,168 115,348 25,038 1,701 181,789
1976 7,800 12,856 18,194 126,344 27,379 2,410 194,983
1978 7,680 14,401 20,537 141,709 33,525 2,191 220,043
1980 8,228 14,634 21,972 167,724 39,587 2,019 254,164
1981 7,995 15,744 20,945 187,155 44,788 2,086 278,713
1982 7,390 17,180 18,475 223,992 44,565 2,241 313,843
1983 7,685 17,515 15,728 265,503 47,031 3,030 356,492
1984 6,412 16,822 14,768 284,150 46,655 2,291 371,098
1985 6,733 15,658 16,867 285,458 48,260 1,335 374,311
1986 5,198 15,053 16,853 294,424 47,753 2,297 381,578
1987 5,086 14,810 15,405 285,540 50,391 1,914 373,146
1988 4,970 15,415 15,605 258,377 53,258 2,042 349,667
1989 5,666 14,437 15,469 271,525 55,514 2,464 365,075
1990 5,931 15,258 13,645 292,519 58,846 2,518 388,717
1991 5,013 14,329 11,876 292,898 54,592 2,362 381,070
* Data reported by breed associations. Data not available for Red
and White.
Table 10. (part.1) Participation in the National Cooperative Dairy
Herd Improvement Program^a
Official plans
Cows Percentage
Year Herds per in all
herd Cows Percentage Total cows^b programs
1910 25,000 .1 18,300,000 .1
1915 105,256 .6 19,150,000 .6
1920 11,948 17.0 203,472 1.0 20,335,000 1.0
1925 18,677 16.4 307,073 1.4 21,417,000 1.4
1930 27,888 18.2 507,549 2.4 21,618,000 2.4
1935 15,573 23.4 364,218 1.5 25,198,000 1.5
1940 27,948 24.2 676,141 2.9 23,273,000 2.9
1945 21,254 27.2 577,200 2.3 25,597,000 2.3
1950 40,100 27.2 1,088,872 4.9 22,024,000 4.9
1955 41,240 32.3 1,333,866 6.2 21,581,000 6.2
1960 41,293 42.3 1.746,752 9.8 17,901,000 13.6
1965 40,075 52.1 2,087,581 13.3 15,677,000 18.9
1970 34,308 61.9 2,122,011 17.2 12,307,000 25.3
1971 33,996 65.3 2,218,402 18.6 11,909,000 26.8
1972 33,197 67.6 2,244,685 19.1 11,776,000 27.2
1973 33,578 70.3 2,359,611 20.3 11,622,000 28.7
1974 33,146 72.9 2,416,669 21.4 11,297,000 30.2
1975 32,222 75.5 2,432,961 21.7 11,220,000 31.0
1976 32,232 75.7 2,438,365 22.0 11,087,000 31.4
1977 33,755 76.5 2,581,164 23.4 11,035,000 33.5
1978 34,972 77.3 2,704,064 24.7 10,930,000 35.4
1979 36,105 77.3 2,792,175 25.7 10,853,000 36.8
1980 37,576 78.9 2,966,558 26.8 11,074,000 37.9
1981 39,524 80.8 3,197,353 28.7 11,135,000 40.2
1982 40,933 82.6 3,382,977 30.5 11,107,000 43.1
1983 41,029 83.6 3,431,507 30.7 11,175,000 43.3
1984 40,745 84.6 3,446,570 31.0 11,109,000 43.9
1985 39,100 83.4 3,262,174 30.2 10,805,000 42.9
1986 37,661 88.2 3,322,771 29.7 11,177,000 42.4
1987 34,779 89.2 3,102,698 29.4 10,547,000 42.6
1988 34,413 91.8 3,160,551 30.9 10,239,000 44.6
1989 34,020 93.1 3,168,186 31.0 10,208,000 44.8
1990 33,528 95.8 3,212,684 31.7 10,130,000 45.8
1991 33,265 98.4 3,274,523 32.2 10,169,000 46.5
1992 31,500 99.9 3,146,448 31.7 9,918,000 46.1
a^ Data provided by Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory,
Agricultural Research Service-USDA.
b^ Data obtained at the beginning of each year. Counts taken at
the end of the year will differ (see Table 1).
Table 10. (part 2) Participation in the National Cooperative Dairy
Herd Improvement Program^a
Management plans
Cows Percentage
Year Herds per in all
herd Cows Percentage Total cows^b programs
1910 18,300,000 .1
1915 19,150,000 .6
1920 20,335,000 1.0
1925 21,417,000 1.4
1930 21,618,000 2.4
1935 25,198,000 1.5
1940 23,273,000 2.9
1945 25,597,000 2.3
1950 22,024,000 4.9
1955 21,581,000 6.2
1960 24,274 25.4 615,899 3.4 17,901,000 13.6
1965 26,604 30.8 818,406 5.2 15,677,000 18.9
1970 23,281 36.1 839,343 6.8 12,307,000 25.3
1971 22,581 37.1 836,751 7.0 11,909,000 26.8
1972 21,345 37.7 805,555 6.8 11,776,000 27.2
1973 20,895 38.6 806,270 6.9 11,622,000 28.7
1974 19,738 39.7 783,195 6.9 11,297,000 30.2
1975 18,112 41.4 749,807 6.7 11,220,000 31.0
1976 19,999 47.2 943,451 8.5 11,087,000 31.4
1977 21,000 47.9 1,006,359 9.1 11,035,000 33.5
1978 22,626 51.3 1,159,776 9.7 10,930,000 35.4
1979 22,745 52.8 1,201,500 11.1 10,853,000 36.8
1980 22,943 53.4 1,225,311 11.1 11,074,000 37.9
1981 23,451 54.7 1,282,715 11.5 11,135,000 40.2
1982 24,940 56.4 1,407,203 12.7 11,107,000 43.1
1983 25,173 55.8 1,406,677 12.6 11,175,000 43.3
1984 25,340 56.5 1,432,943 12.9 11,109,000 43.9
1985 24,733 55.3 1,367,969 12.7 10,805,000 42.9
1986 24,545 57.8 1,419,636 12.7 11,177,000 42.4
1987 23,495 59.2 1,390,783 13.2 10,547,000 42.6
1988 22,241 60.4 1,402,873 13.7 10,239,000 44.6
1989 22,770 61.8 1,408,335 13.9 10,208,000 44.8
1990 22,506 63.6 1,430,684 14.1 10,130,000 45.8
1991 22,366 64.9 1,452,233 14.3 10,169,000 46.5
1992 21,166 67.5 1,428,234 14.4 9,918,000 46.1
a^ Data provided by Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory,
Agricultural Research Service-USDA.
b^ Data obtained at the beginning of each year. Counts taken at
the end of the year will differ (see Table 1).
Table 11. (part 1) Production comparison for cows on official
testing plans, management testing plans, and all other
cows*
Management
Official plans plans All other cows
Year Milk Fat Milk Fat Milk Fat
1962 11,286 434 10,606 396 6,844 255
1963 11,685 447 10,885 404 7,148 263
1964 11,976 457 11,402 423 7,353 270
1965 12,127 462 11,472 425 7,530 276
1966 12,307 468 11,607 432 7,756 292
1967 12,397 471 11,847 441 8,035 292
1968 12,553 476 11,932 444 8,319 311
1969 12,750 483 12,185 453 8,701 315
1970 13,000 489 12,413 460 8,848 320
1971 13,226 496 12,544 466 9,135 332
1972 13,287 499 12,488 468 9,155 332
1973 13,163 493 12,353 463 9,047 328
1974 13,421 505 12,503 475 9,146 332
1975 13,632 511 13,104 497 9,248 336
1976 14,435 539 13,539 509 9,452 342
1977 14,631 542 13,771 516 9,592 341
1978 14,644 542 13,847 522 9,434 344
1979 14,786 547 13,969 527 10,247 369
1980 14,960 553 14,080 529 9,991 359
1981 15,137 558 14,177 530 10,085 358
1982 15,280 564 14,213 534 10,241 364
1983 15,521 572 14,544 546 10,560 380
1984 15,587 577 14,409 548 10,358 371
1985 16,279 600 14,956 563 10,824 391
1986 16,654 612 15,303 577 11,057 397
1987 17,008 625 15,533 581 11,733 423
1988 17,379 640 16,019 607 12,419 452
1989 17,612 652 16,156 616 12,433 453
1990 18,031 662 16,470 620 12,181 437
1991 18,364 676 16,885 633 11,893 444
* Data provided by Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory,
Agricultural Research Service - USDA.
Table 11. (part 2) Production comparison for cows on official
testing plans, management testing plans, and all other
cows*
Superiority of
Official Non official
Year Milk Fat Milk Fat
1962 4,442 179 3,762 141
1963 4,537 184 3,737 141
1964 4,623 187 4,049 153
1965 4,597 186 3,942 149
1966 4,551 176 3,851 140
1967 4,362 179 3,812 149
1968 4,234 165 3,613 133
1969 4,049 168 3,484 138
1970 4,152 169 3,565 140
1971 4,091 164 3,409 134
1972 4,132 167 3,333 136
1973 4,116 165 3,306 135
1974 4,275 173 3,357 143
1975 4,384 175 3,856 161
1976 4,983 197 4,087 167
1977 5,039 201 4,179 175
1978 5,210 198 4,413 178
1979 4,539 178 3,722 158
1980 4,969 194 4,089 170
1981 5,052 200 4,092 172
1982 5,039 200 3,972 170
1983 4,961 192 3,984 166
1984 5,229 206 4,051 177
1985 5,455 209 4,132 172
1986 5,597 215 4,236 180
1987 5,275 202 3,800 158
1988 4,960 188 3,600 155
1989 5,179 199 3,723 163
1990 5,850 225 4,289 183
1991 6,471 232 4,992 189
* Data provided by Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory,
Agricultural Research Service - USDA.
TABLE 12. - Average PTA's for bulls evaluated in January 1992 by
sampling status and breed^a
Milk/fat Protein
Breed No. PTAM PTAF% PTAF MF$ No. PTAP% PTAP MFP$ CY$
Bulls born in last 8 years or active:
Ayrshire 109 +353 +.01 +15 +43 109 .00 +11 +43 +45
Brn Swiss 125 +374 +.01 +17 +47 124 .00 +13 +47 +51
Guernsey 225 +447 -.02 +18 +53 225 -.01 +14 +53 +55
Holstein 9,320 +672 .00 +23 +76 9,131 -.01 +19 +73 +72
Jersey 785 +387 +.01 +19 +50 784 -.01 +13 +50 +52
Mlk Shrthn 32 +290 +.01 +12 +34 32 +.01 +10 +36 +37
Red & Wht 258 +264 +.01 +11 +32 257 -.01 +7 +30 +31
All brds 10,854 +629 .00 +22 +72 10,662 -.01 +18 +69 +68
Active AI bulls:
Ayrshire 22 +794 +.01 +32 +95 22 .00 +27 +96 +100
Brn Swiss 32 +869 +.01 +37 +106 32 .00 +30 +109 +115
Guernsey 31 +1062 -.04 +42 +126 31 -.02 +34 +127 +130
Holstein 574 +1584 -.02 +53 +178 572 -.02 +45 +170 +167
U.S.^b 555 +1610 -.02 +53 +180 553 -.02 +45 +173 +168
Canada^b 19 +847 +.05 +39 +107 19 +.01 +29 +109 +117
Jersey 64 +1251 -.03 +54 +153 64 -.05 +40 +153 +157
Mlk Shrthn 7 +1398 -.02 +47 +157 7 -.03 +42 +153 +150
Red & Wht 36 +1315 .00 +47 +150 36 -.03 +35 +141 +139
All breeds 766 +1468 -.02 +51 +167 764 -.02 +42 +161 +159
Non-AI bulls born in last 8 years:
Ayrshire 53 +116 +.01 +6 +15 53 .00 +4 +16 +18
Brn Swiss 62 +44 +.01 +4 +7 62 .00 +2 +8 +10
Guernsey 100 +220 -.02 +7 +24 100 -.01 +7 +23 +23
Holstein 4,802 +317 .00 +12 +37 4,710 .00 +10 +36 +37
U.S.^c 4,441 +311 +.01 +12 +37 4,353 .00 +10 +36 +37
Canada^c 26 -671 +.10 -6 -58 26 +.04 -14 -48 -31
Grades 335 +465 -.02 +12 +49 331 -.01 +12 +45 +41
Jersey 457 +156 +.02 +9 +22 456 .00 +6 +23 +24
Mlk Shrthn 22 -38 +.02 +1 -2 22 +.02 +1 +1 +3
Red & Wht 87 -370 +.03 -8 -37 87 +.01 -10 -35 -30
All brds 5,583 +285 +.01 +11 +34 5,490 .00 +9 +33 +34
First-evaluation AI bulls:
Ayrshire 12 +515 +.02 +23 +63 12 .00 +17 +65 +68
Brn Swiss 13 +700 +.02 +31 +87 12 .00 +23 +84 +90
Guernsey 19 +794 -.04 +31 +94 19 .00 +27 +96 +100
Holstein 788 +1181 +.01 +44 +137 738 -.01 +35 +133 +134
U.S.^b 777 +1194 +.01 +44 +138 727 -.01 +35 +135 +135
Canada^b 11 +273 +.05 +19 +41 11 +.02 +13 +46 +55
Jersey 50 +896 +.04 +48 +119 50 -.01 +31 +123 +129
Mlk Shrthn 1 -381 -.07 -23 -53 1 +.07 -4 -43 -48
Red & Wht 42 +823 +.01 +31 +96 42 -.02 +22 +90 +91
All breeds 925 +1124 +.01 +43 +131 874 -.01 +33 +128 +129
First evaluation Non-AI bulls:
Ayrshire 10 +140 .00 +6 +17 10 +.01 +6 +20 +21
Brn Swiss 20 +111 .00 +5 +14 20 .00 +4 +14 +15
Guernsey 17 +339 -.03 +11 +38 17 -.01 +11 +38 +39
Holstein 1,116 +445 .00 +17 +52 1,098 .00 +14 +51 +52
U.S.^c 925 +453 +.01 +18 +54 907 .00 +14 +53 +54
Canada^c 6 -877 +.13 -8 -76 6 +.04 -21 -67 -46
Grades 185 +450 -.02 +12 +48 185 -.01 +12 +45 +42
Jersey 96 +369 .00 +17 +47 96 -.02 +11 +45 +45
Mlk Shrthn 4 -236 +.05 -2 -21 4 +.05 -1 -12 -5
Red & Wht 23 -57 +.05 +7 +2 23 .00 -l +4 +11
All brds 1,286 +419 .00 +16 +49 1,268 .00 +13 +48 +49
a^ Data provided by the Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory,
Agricultural Research Service - USDA
b^ U.S. and Canadian Holstein bulls marketed through AI defined by
location of controlling AI organization
c^ U.S. and Canadian (those with a C prefix in registration name
and/or a 04 prefix in registration number and no "A" prefix
in name) Holstein bulls defined by origin.
Table 13. Status of artificial insemination in the United States*
Semen sold Semen custom Semen sold
domestically colltd and frozen internat.
Year (Dairy) (Dairy) (Dairy) Tot. dairy units
1971 10,876,840 336,314 11,213,154
1972 11,817,867 421,060 12,238,927
1973 11,338,980 534,972 11,873,952
1974 10,887,456 616,104 11,503,560
1975 9,760,054 613,164 10,373,218
1976 10,753,149 570,241 11,323,390
1977 10,907,322 573,607 11,480,929
1978 11,858,425 587,463 12,445,888
1979 12,467,351 681,563 13,148,914
1980 13,337,420 758,886 14,096,306
1981 13,331,748 979,465 14,311,213
1982 12,767,925 1,240,959 14,008,884
1983 12,857,323 921,709 13,779,032
1984 12,426,650 864,698 13,291,348
1985 12,813,645 641,633 13,455,278
1986 12,269,830 613,162 12,882,992
1987 12,920,686 735,314 13,656,000
1988 12,971,343 657,027 13,628,370
1989 12,769,532 760,796 13,530,328
1990 13,272,003 863,504 4,633,885 18,769,392
1991 12,637,925 736,317 4,660,559 18,034,801
* Data reported by National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB).
%f TITLE;STATUS OF UNITED STATES DAIRY CATTLE
%f COLLECTION;DAIRY HERD IMPROVEMENT
%f ORIGIN;UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
%f DATE_INCLUDED;OCTOBER, 1993
%t STATUS OF UNITED STATES DAIRY CATTLE