![[photo, Grazing cows, U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm, Gambrills, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/i003123a.jpg)
In 1998, milk was designated the State drink of Maryland (Chapter 220, Acts of 1998).
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 2009, Maryland had some 55,000 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 997 million pounds of milk in 2009. Of this, Frederick County led production with 270,000 pounds.
Grazing cows, U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm, Gambrills, Maryland, June 1999. Photo by Diane P. Frese.
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