With an abundance of land and resources, along with modern and efficient farming practices, the United States is the world’s single largest producer of milk, cheese, butter, milk powder and whey ingredients. The U.S. produced 96.4 million metric tons of milk in 2016, three times the volume produced in New Zealand and Australia combined. Steady milk production growth capacity sets the U.S. apart from the growth constraints of other milk producing countries.
In 2015, the U.S. had 9.3 million dairy cows that produced 94.6 million metric tons of milk on 42,000 dairy farms across all 50 states. With over half of the volume coming from the top five U.S. milk producing states of; California, Wisconsin, New York, Idaho, Michigan. The average U.S. cow produces 10,150 kg of milk per year. This compares to per cow production of about 6,200 kg in the European Union, 5,800 kg in Australia and 4,100 kg in New Zealand. (Source: USDA)
On the Farm
Most dairy farms in the U.S. are family owned and operated, benefiting from generations of experience. Dairy farmers work with veterinarians and nutritionists to develop a well-balanced diet to meet the cow’s nutritional requirements and produce premium quality milk. Dairy farmers work to ensure herd and facility heath standards aided by:
•Inspectors who counsel farmers on proper safety procedures and enforce national regulations.
•On-farm tests for contaminants and pathogens.
•Veterinarians who visit frequently to check animal health.
•Animal nutritionists who assure the cows eat a rich and nutritious diet.
World Class Quality
The entire U.S. dairy supply chain; farmers, processors and ingredient manufacturers are committed to producing the highest quality and safest milk and dairy products that meet strict U.S. regulatory and food safety standards. Continuous investments in research and development combined with highly skilled craftmanship has transformed the U.S. dairy industry into a leading global supplier of premium quality dairy products. In 2014, more than $88 million was invested in U.S. dairy industry innovation developments in product, nutrition, and sustainability research.
Processing
U.S. milk and dairy products processors protect the quality and safety of the milk they receive from dairies through:
•Analysis of vulnerable points in company processes to assure quality, prevent and detect contamination.
•Recognized international standards; Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute.
•ISO certification, both for processes and products.
•Adoption of dairy product traceability from farm to customer.
Traceability
The U.S. dairy industry is committed to knowing where dairy products were made, the source of milk used, and where they are in the supply chain through enhanced traceability standards which include: 1) Physical plant models to know where new lots enter and where products transform. 2) Creating a lot identifying mark that is industry recognized. 3) Record keeping for expedient and effective recall capability in the unlikely event product is contaminated in the plant or compromised in route. U.S. suppliers can typically identify, locate, and retrieve, affected product in less than two hours.
Government Regulations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces national laws that enhance safety of dairy products and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) standards regarding specific time and temperature requirements for pasteurization. State and local authorities regularly visit dairy farms and plants to verify compliance with all regulations. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) develops and regulates animal health and milk quality specification standards. The U.S. government’s rigorous standards detail how dairy plants must be constructed, equipped, cleaned, and sanitized and how milk must be handled, stored, and shipped. It also assures consistent inspections from farm to plant to port.
In 2015, the U.S. had 9.3 million dairy cows that produced 94.6 million metric tons of milk on 42,000 dairy farms across all 50 states. With over half of the volume coming from the top five U.S. milk producing states of; California, Wisconsin, New York, Idaho, Michigan. The average U.S. cow produces 10,150 kg of milk per year. This compares to per cow production of about 6,200 kg in the European Union, 5,800 kg in Australia and 4,100 kg in New Zealand. (Source: USDA)
On the Farm
Most dairy farms in the U.S. are family owned and operated, benefiting from generations of experience. Dairy farmers work with veterinarians and nutritionists to develop a well-balanced diet to meet the cow’s nutritional requirements and produce premium quality milk. Dairy farmers work to ensure herd and facility heath standards aided by:
•Inspectors who counsel farmers on proper safety procedures and enforce national regulations.
•On-farm tests for contaminants and pathogens.
•Veterinarians who visit frequently to check animal health.
•Animal nutritionists who assure the cows eat a rich and nutritious diet.
World Class Quality
The entire U.S. dairy supply chain; farmers, processors and ingredient manufacturers are committed to producing the highest quality and safest milk and dairy products that meet strict U.S. regulatory and food safety standards. Continuous investments in research and development combined with highly skilled craftmanship has transformed the U.S. dairy industry into a leading global supplier of premium quality dairy products. In 2014, more than $88 million was invested in U.S. dairy industry innovation developments in product, nutrition, and sustainability research.
Processing
U.S. milk and dairy products processors protect the quality and safety of the milk they receive from dairies through:
•Analysis of vulnerable points in company processes to assure quality, prevent and detect contamination.
•Recognized international standards; Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) Institute.
•ISO certification, both for processes and products.
•Adoption of dairy product traceability from farm to customer.
Traceability
The U.S. dairy industry is committed to knowing where dairy products were made, the source of milk used, and where they are in the supply chain through enhanced traceability standards which include: 1) Physical plant models to know where new lots enter and where products transform. 2) Creating a lot identifying mark that is industry recognized. 3) Record keeping for expedient and effective recall capability in the unlikely event product is contaminated in the plant or compromised in route. U.S. suppliers can typically identify, locate, and retrieve, affected product in less than two hours.
Government Regulations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces national laws that enhance safety of dairy products and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) standards regarding specific time and temperature requirements for pasteurization. State and local authorities regularly visit dairy farms and plants to verify compliance with all regulations. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) develops and regulates animal health and milk quality specification standards. The U.S. government’s rigorous standards detail how dairy plants must be constructed, equipped, cleaned, and sanitized and how milk must be handled, stored, and shipped. It also assures consistent inspections from farm to plant to port.