The history of dairy production goes a long way back, all the way to our prehistoric ancestors. But before we discuss the subject, we need to set the record straight. Humans are not generally designed to digest milk into adulthood. Why? Many adult bodies stop producing much lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk. In fact, a large share of adults living on earth today cannot comfortably digest it. So how did we go from a species drinking only the milk of our own kind to drinking the milk of another animal entirely? This is where it gets interesting.
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The Precursor
Most people of northern European descent carry the gene that lets them keep digesting milk as adults. This genetic change first appeared roughly 7,500 years ago, around the same time as the spread of livestock farming. The people who could drink milk without discomfort passed the trait on, and tolerance for milk and the practice of dairy production developed side by side, right up to today, when there are hundreds of millions of dairy cows on farms across the globe.
Even so, lactose intolerance remains the norm for most of humanity. A majority of adults with Native American, African, or Asian ancestry are lactose intolerant to some degree, and globally around two thirds of adults have reduced lactase activity after childhood. It is worth remembering that this is not a disease. It is the ordinary human default, and lifelong milk digestion is actually the exception. That raises a natural question: why did dairy farming become so widespread at all?
What Is Dairy Production?
In the simplest terms, dairy production is the process of raising cows so that their milk can be collected for human use. If you have ever wondered why cows became the animal of choice rather than, say, cats or dogs, the answer is straightforward. Cows are large, so they produce a great deal of milk, and they are relatively easy to domesticate and manage in herds.
It also helps to remember that cows, like all mammals, do not produce milk continuously by default. A cow gives milk after calving, and the milk is naturally intended for her calf. To keep milk flowing, dairy farms manage the breeding cycle carefully, timing each cow’s calving so that the herd maintains steady production across the year. Good herd and calf management at this stage is one of the foundations of a healthy, productive dairy operation.
Countries With the Most Dairy Cows
India has the most dairy cows of any country, with over 60 million head. The European Union has the second largest dairy herd. Interestingly, herd size and milk output do not line up. Although India keeps the most cows, the European Union produces the most cow milk by a wide margin, close to twice India’s volume, followed by the United States at around 100 million metric tons per year.
| Measure | Leader | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most dairy cows | India | Over 60 million head, using both cattle and buffalo |
| Most cow milk produced | European Union | Nearly double India’s output despite far fewer cows |
| Second largest producer | United States | Around 100 million metric tons of milk per year |
Types of Herd Management in Dairy Production
Herd management is central to dairy production. Technology and regulations keep evolving to support good animal welfare and reliable output. Broadly, two main strategies are used to manage the herd.
- Extensive systems work on a low-input, low-output basis, typically relying on pasture and grazing.
- Intensive systems do the opposite, focusing on high input and high output with closely managed feeding.
Intensive management is most often applied to lactating cows, and this group is usually divided further according to nutritional needs and stage of lactation. Grouping cows this way lets the farmer match the ration to each group’s requirements rather than feeding a single diet to animals with very different needs.
The One Aspect That Ties It All Together
The feed a cow receives has a direct effect on the quality of the milk she produces. Beyond that, feed plays an even broader role in keeping the animal healthy in the first place. A cow that is consistently supplied with nutritious feed stays comfortable and healthy, and a healthy cow is what allows a farmer to make a living.
Silage is one of the most valued feeds for exactly this reason. It is essentially fermented plant material, rich in nutrients and easy for cattle to digest and absorb, which makes it an excellent way to keep milk production steady through seasons when fresh forage is scarce. Preserving that silage well, and mixing it into a balanced ration, is where the right equipment earns its keep.
To support the dairy production on your farm, Jummos supplies TMR mixers for blending a balanced ration and baler wrappers for preserving forage as quality silage. You can also read more about how a total mixed ration keeps a dairy herd fed consistently. We handle worldwide shipping, so distance is not a barrier. Ask us anything about our products and our team will be glad to help.
Reviewed by Sue Su, Marketing Director of Jummos, on July 25, 2026. Dairy herd and milk production figures were checked against current industry data and may be updated as new statistics are published.