Clark Co. Ag Agent: We're Number One!!!
Friday, December 2nd, 2011 -- 1:35 PM
There can be no more denying that Clark County is the ?number 1? dairy county in the Dairy State.Recently updated numbers from the Ag Statistics Service show Clark County has risen to the top.
"Clark County has increased their production from last year by about 1,000 pounds per head and added about 1,000 cows," boasts UW-Extension Dairy and Livestock Agent Maria Bendixen. "Because of that, we're now the number one dairy county in every way that you can be."
If it sounds like Bendixen is gloating, it?s because she might be. She admits she?s excited about the news, especially seeing Clark County has historically played second fiddle to neighboring Marathon County.
"We've always been number two to them in total pounds of milk. We've had more cows than them, but haven't produced as much milk because of the milk-per-cow number," Bendixen says.
"This year, we produced about 20,000 pounds per head compared to their 19,700. That's what pushed us ahead of them," she explains.
She credits Clark County farmers, who she calls "intelligent and ambitious" and good service providers who?ve helped improve yield. Milk production is closely tied to feed and genetics, both areas where area farmers have made strides.
Milk prices are relatively high right now?between $15 and $17 as a base?but, feed costs have eaten away much of that profit, Bendixen explains.
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