Found primarily in Frederick and Washington counties, most Maryland milk cows are Holsteins and can be recognized by their large black and white spots. In 1999, Maryland had some 85,000 milk cows throughout the State.
Daily, a single cow can produce up to 8 gallons of milk, consume about 80 pounds of feed, and drink 30 to 40 gallons of water. Milked twice a day, Maryland cows produced 1.365 billion pounds of milk in 1999.
Grazing cows, U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm, Gambrills, Maryland, June 1999. Photo by Diane P. Frese.
© Copyright Maryland State Archives