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# of farms declines with consolidation
| By the Journal-Opinion |
| Some 27,000 jobs across New England are supported by the dairy industry, according to a new report from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. New England dairy contributes $9.7 billion to the region’s economy. Nearly half of New England’s dairy farms are in Vermont. About one-tenth are in New Hampshire. Overall, there are 925 dairy farms in the region, some 500 fewer than in 2017. Vermont saw the steepest drop at 40% followed by Maine at 36%. Nevertheless, those two states “anchor” the industry in New England with the majority of dairy farms and dairy plants concentrated there. And yet, average milk sales per farm in New England increased by 52% between 2017 and 2025. “The dairy farm market is characterized by consolidation,” the report states. “While the number of dairy farms is rapidly declining in nearly all corners of the nation, milk output has largely been maintained as productivity gains, such as larger herds, feed optimization, genetic improvements, and precision and automation technologies, lift yield per cow. Small and mid-sized operations face extreme margin pressure from volatile costs for inputs like feed and energy, labor challenges, and intensive capital needs.” According to the 122-page report’s executive summary, processing is “critical” to dairy future. “Processing capacity shapes what dairy products are made, where they are sold, and how much value stays in the region. Strengthening and modernizing processing infrastructure is essential to maintaining long-term stability and competitiveness.” It also finds diversification into value-added products and new markets will improve success. |
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Categories: Agriculture
Over fifty percent of all New England Dairy Jobs are in Vermont. Another very important reason to promote and protect our dairy farmers. An industry that has always been valuable to Vermonts economy. Especially it is a part of the life and culture of Vermont. If the government is obstructing Dairy Farmers viability they need to back off.
The glaring indicators: smaller to larger, many to fewer and higher input costs to product value all speak loudly of an industry in the midst of a crisis.
This is not a recent phenomenon, look across New England and see the fabulous farm homes that were built from income from 20 cow herds – small, family operations that provided a healthy income.
Best we cast our focus to a bloated, cash-hungry government that has piled financial burdens and a created a regulatory nightmare on landowners.
Wake up America.
Americans love Walmart! The economic model that is killing America!