California Dairy Industry Creates More Than 443,000 Jobs

This report estimates that the dairy industry within the state of California is responsible for 3% of the state’s job production, creating a “positive ripple effect throughout local communities.” This article also includes statewide dairy industry production figures and related statistics.

According to research funded by the California Milk Advisory Board, in 2008 a typical California dairy farm generated $33.1 million in economic activity, 21,869,370 pounds of milk, and 232 jobs (including “on the farm” and “beyond the farm” jobs). At a more granular level, one dairy cow created approximately $34,000 in economic activity and 22,344 pounds of milk, while a herd of 100 cows created 25 jobs within the state during the year.

In 2008, California had 1,905 dairies with 1.8 million cows supplying milk to 117 dairy processing plants. Production totaled 41.2 billion pounds of milk compared with 27.6 billion pounds in 1998, and is anticipated to reach 46 billion pounds by 2020.