California Dairy Industry Facts *

• California has been the nation’s leading dairy state since 1993, when it surpassed Wisconsin in milk production. California is ranked first in the U.S. in the production of total milk, butter, ice cream, yogurt, nonfat dry milk, and whey protein concentrate. California is second in cheese production. (CDFA)

• California leads the nation in total milk production. In 2008, California produced a record 41.2 billion pounds of milk – one-fifth of the nation’s total production.

• Dairy farming is the leading agricultural commodity in California, producing $6.9 billion in annual sales in 2008. (CDFA)

• Forty-three percent of all of California milk goes to make California cheese. (CDFA)

• Currently there are 1,950 California dairy farms that house 1.83 million milk cows. Approximately one out of every five dairy cows in the U.S. lives in California

• California milk production is expected to exceed 50 billion pounds by 2020.

• The average California dairy cow produced 22,344 pounds of milk in 2008.

• Currently, 35 percent of the total U.S. exports of dairy products are coming from California.

• California’s dairy business generated $61.4 billion in economic activity and 435,000 full-time jobs in California in 2007. (CMAB, J/D/G Consulting)

• California’s milk standards exceed federal standards because California processors add nonfat milk solids which offer improved taste and nutritional benefits. California milks exceed the federal guidelines for the amounts of calcium and protein in each serving.

• Real California Milk can be found at Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Walgreens, Target, 7-Eleven, Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros., Food 4 Less, Superior Grocers, Lucky, Longs Drugs, Nugget and O’Brien’s.

*All data provided by the California Milk Advisory Board, except as noted.

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