- Idaho's dairy farm families have a proud heritage of providing healthy and wholesome dairy products that are enjoyed by people within and outside of Idaho's borders. Moreover, all but one of Idaho's dairy farms are family owned, with many farms that are multi-generational.
- Six years into the 21st century, Idaho agriculture has become a growth industry in Idaho's economy. In large part that growth can be attributed to a shift in Idaho agriculture from crop to livestock - milk and cattle. In fact, the dairy industry is the number agricultural industry in Idaho.
- In 2006, on-farm cash receipts from milk produced on Idaho farms amounted to $1.292 billion dollars ranking it as the largest single sector in the state's agriculture industry (based on an average price of $11.92 per hundred pounds produced, down from $14.20 in 2005).
- It is estimated that the dairy industry of Idaho employs more than 22,730 individuals in the production, processing, transportation, and distribution of its milk and milk products. More than 9,260 are on-farm jobs, conservatively averaging $30,000 per year in salary. Allied industries employ an additional 13,470 workers (e.g., hay growers, corn silage growers, custom operators, milking machine equipment, feed companies, nutritionists & veterinarians). A significant economic impact on the state is realized through personal property tax, income tax, sales tax and retail sales generated from income derived from the dairy industry.
- Idaho is the 2nd largest milk producing state in the twelve western U.S. states and ranks 4th in the total U.S.
- As of December 31, 2006, the state had 683 dairy farm operations; producing 10.871 billion pounds of milk (1.264 billion gallons) from the 477,193 cows milking.
- We have grown from a 73 million dollar industry in 1970 to a healthy $1.2 billion dollar industry in 2006.
- In terms of milk production: In 1970, Idaho's dairy farmers produced 1.4 billion pounds; but in 2006 produced 10.871 billion pounds.
- The state average for annual milk per cow is 22,782 pounds (2,649 gallons) in 2006, while the state average in 1970 was 9,793 pounds (1,138 gallons).
- The dairy industry provides significant resources to support research and promotion needed to stabilize and sustain Idaho's dairy industry to drive demand for Idaho produced dairy products, which contributes to the financial stability of rural communities and benefits the state's and region's economies.
- The four regions of the state in which milk is produced are: (production and dollar value based on statewide averages):
- Northern Idaho Area: (9 producers)
535 cows
12.188 million pounds of milk production
$1.4 million value at the farm
- Magic Valley Area: (337 producers)
340,232 cows
7.751 billion pounds of milk production
$923.9 million value at the farm
- Treasure Valley Area: (128 producers)
99,407 cows
2.265 billion pounds of milk production
$269.9 million value at the farm
- Eastern Idaho Area: (209 producers)
37,019 cows
843.3 million pounds of milk production
$100.50 million value at the farm
- 65% of Idaho producers milk under 500 cows
- 25% of Idaho producers milk 501 to 2,000 cows
- 10% of Idaho producers milk 2,000+ cows
- Idaho is the 3rd largest manufacturer of natural and processed cheese in the U.S. making more than 770 million pounds annually in the state.
- Approximately 44.3 million gallons of Idaho produced milk is processed into fluid milk for drinking.
Sources:
- USDA; Agricultural Statistics Service, Boise
- State of Idaho; Bureau of Dairy, Department of Agriculture
- University of Idaho; Dairy Extension
- International Dairy Foods Association
- United Dairymen of Idaho
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