Overview

The United States is the largest producer of cow's milk in the world. In 2010, the country supplied 193 billion pounds of milk, a 1.8 percent increase from the previous year. California continues to lead the country in milk production, followed by Wisconsin. New York, Idaho and Pennsylvania round out the top five milk-producing states.

Just 30 percent of the milk supply is processed into fluid milk and cream products. The remainder is processed into dairy products such as butter, cheese, frozen dairy products and milk powders. In fact, about half of the milk supply is processed into cheese.  March 2011 ... Fluid Milk

Marketing

• Dairy, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.
• Dairy Backgrounder, ERS, USDA, 2006.
• Dairy Programs, Ag Marketing Service (AMS), USDA.
• Dairy: World Markets and Trade, Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA.
• Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), FAS, USDA.
• International Dairy Foods Association.
• Milk, Food Availability (Per Capita) Data System, ERS, USDA, 2008.
• National Dairy Council - A source for nutritional information.
• National Milk Producers Federation
• U.S. Dairy Trade: Situation and Outlook, Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development, University of Wisconsin, 2010.
• U.S. Dairy Export Council.
• USDA Agricultural Projections to 2018, ERS, 2009.

Processing/Manufacturing

• The Dairy 100, Dairy Foods magazine - Dairy Foods compiled a list of the top dairy processors based on sales figures. The list is located in the left side column. You must sign in to access the information.
• Dairy Grading, AMS, USDA.
• Value-Added Dairy Processing Feasibility Report, "A Catalyst for Thought," Kansas Department of Commerce, 2003 - Included in this study are an overview of the dairy industry in Kansas, the current trends and the process of fluid milk processing. Fundamental issues of Federal Milk Marketing Orders, seasonality of production and demand are also addressed.
• Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Program, AMS, USDA.
• General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service, AMS, USDA, 2002.
• Milk for Manufacturing Purposes and its Production and Processing, AMS, USDA, 2002. 

Production

• Dairy Products Annual Summary, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), USDA, 2010.
• Dairy Products: Overview and Fluid Milk Products, University of Guelph, Canada.
• Low Costs Drive Production to Large Dairy Farms, Amber Waves, ERS, USDA, 2007 - Dairy production is shifting to larger farms because average production costs decrease as herd size increases.
• Milk Production, NASS, USDA, 2011.
• Milk Production, Disposition, and Income Annual Summary, NASS, USDA, 2010.

Businesses/Case Studies

• Harris Farm, Dayton, Maine - This farm produces natural (antibiotic and hormone-free) milk from a herd of registered Holsteins. In 1996, the farm began direct marketing its milk in recyclable glass bottles. In addition to milk delivery, the farm also delivers meat, eggs, butter and cheese directly to customers.
• Longmont Dairy Farm Inc., Longmont, Colorado - This family business offers home delivery of its milk, which is sold in returnable glass bottles. The family opened a country store in Longmont in 2000 to market ice cream and dairy products along with other farm-fresh products from Colorado. 
• Maple View Farm, Hillsboro, North Carolina - This dairy farm owns its own bottling plant. Maple View Farm Milk was first bottled in 1996. Only milk produced on the farm is processed and bottled. Glass-returnable milk bottles are used. Ice cream products are also processed and sold.
• Shatto Milk Company, Osborn, Missouri - This family-owned dairy farm north of Kansas City began processing bottled milk in 2003. The milk is sold through retail outlets in the Kansas City area.
• Shaw Farm, Dracut, Massachusetts - The last operating dairy farm in its area, Shaw Farm offers home delivery service. In addition to milk, other products are delivered including ice cream. Milk is sold in returnable glass bottles. A seasonal on-farm ice cream stand was opened in 1999.
• Western United Dairymen (WUD), Modesto, California - WUD is a trade association with voluntary membership. With 1,100 of the state's dairies as members, they represent approximately 60 percent of the milk production in California. Membership benefits include resources in labor law, environmental regulations and pricing issues.

 Links checked October 2010.