Overview
- Milk has a farm value of production second only to beef among livestock industries and equal to corn.
- Dairy farms, overwhelmingly family-owned and managed regardless of size, are generally members of producer cooperatives.
- Dairy products range from cheese, fluid milks, yogurt, butter, and ice cream to dry or condensed milk and whey products, used mostly as ingredients in processed foods.
- Cheese and fluid milk products now use most of the milk supply.
- Government traditionally has regulated both sanitary and market aspects of the dairy industry.
- Historically, international trade in dairy products has only occasionally been important for the U.S. dairy industry. In coming years, however, international trade may have a greater impact on the domestic industry.
ERS provides research and analysis on milk production, the marketing and consumption of dairy products, international dairy trade, and government programs.
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