In the mid-19th century, before rice production began there, southwestern Louisiana was a major cattle-raising area. Today, cattle are raised mainly in the southeast (between the Mississippi and Pearl rivers), in the north-central region, and in the west.
In 2003, there were an estimated 860,000 cattle and calves worth $550 million. In 2002, Louisiana had an estimated 20,000 hogs and pigs worth around $1.5 million. Dairy farmers had an estimated 54,000 milk cows, which produced 632 million lb (286.7 million kg) of milk in 2001. Also during 2001, poultry farmers produced an estimated 7.5 million lb (3.4 million kg) of chicken, which sold for $447,000, and an estimated 480 million eggs worth around $31.7 million.