Kansas is not only a growing dairy state, but is also experiencing growth in numbers for dairy heifers that are raised here for out-of-state dairies. As a result, Kansas has the highest ratio of heifers to cows in the country. Click HERE to read an article sharing data related to the number of dairy heifers raised in Kansas. Many of the same factors that benefit the feedlot and dairy industries also benefit dairy heifers.
Kansas is home to numerous custom heifer raising operations. These heifer raisers not only develop heifers for Kansas dairymen, but many focus solely on clients from the upper Midwest.
Additionally, as the beef industry has contracted drastically there are numerous empty feedlots available that could easily be converted into heifer raising facilities. This would complement the dairyman who wants to maintain control of his heifer growing operation while making a smaller investment compared with constructing a typical heifer raising facilities found in the upper Midwest.