The Texas dairy industry is enjoying a growth spurt, particularly in the Texas Panhandle, despite drought conditions over the past few years, according to AgriLife Today.

“We aren’t seeing so many new farms go in, but some of the dairies that are here have expanded a little bit,” said Dr. Ellen Jordan, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service dairy specialist at the recent Southwest Dairy Day at Friona.

The dairy industry has grown from about 20,000 cows in 2001 to about 285,000 cows now in the Panhandle. Roughly two-thirds of the state’s milk is produced in the Panhandle.