Number of cows, sheep increase in Virginia

There are more cows and sheep wandering pastures and fields around Virginia.

There are 1.6 million head of cattle now in the Commonwealth.

There were more cows at the beginning of this year compared to last year; up about eight percent.

And you'll see more sheep and goats around Virginia as well, up four percent from last year's inventory.  A total of 87,000 head of sheep and goats now.

Virginia ranks 18th in the U.S. for cattle, tied with Pennsylvania.