Hunter said:
Wisconsin had 3.5 million head of cattle while Kentucky had 2.16 million.
Both are east of the Mississippi River.
Reference:
https://beef2live.com/story-ranking-states-cattle-189-108182
Could be a distinction between beef and dairy cattle. From what I have always understood Wisconsin has been the largest dairy producing state until recently surpassed by California. Ky used to have several dairies throughout the state, not many right in my area though. A lot of those are not milking now, have switched to crops and or beef cattle. I'm sure we never had the numbers of dairy cattle that Wisconsin has.