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.
Get the Full Briefing
See the Contents box for each section
You Might Also Be Interested In
|