Vermont dairy delivers. Late last month, we presented a comprehensive data-driven analysis, illustrating that over the past decade, dairy, like our farmers and processors themselves, has been on the move. We hope you will take a closer look at how dairy is supporting the Vermont economy with nutritious products, employing thousands of people, and keeping our land working and productive.
Americans’ appetite for dairy products has increased. According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, dairy consumption reached record levels in 2023 when the average American consumed 661 pounds of dairy products. That is up more than 40 pounds from the prior decade, and the highest rate of consumption in the United States since the late 1950’s.
The report shows that our tastes have changed over the years. Americans are not drinking as much milk, but they are embracing valued added products like cheese, butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, whey powder and ice cream. This trend is reflected in the Vermont dairy economy. A decade ago, Vermont had 95 processors; in 2023 Vermont had 158 dairy processors—gaining 63 processors in ten years. More are on the way. Vermont is now exporting dairy products to Canada, Europe, Australia and other people around the world.
You will also see that despite our small size, Vermont continues to be a national leader in dairy production. We are consistently among the top 20 milk producers in the country, producing two-thirds of the milk in New England and supplying dairy to populated markets in New England and New York. Vermont farmers are also milking more goats, with some converting cow dairies to goat operations.
Ten years ago, Vermont’s farmers renewed their commitment to complying with new environmental regulations. As you will see in the report, those investments are working. Required agricultural practices that were put in place up to ten years ago have earned the Vermont dairy sector the distinction of being the number one catalyst for improving water quality in Vermont.
It is clear that Vermont farmers are dedicated to environmental quality, first-class production facilities, care for people, animals, the land, and premium products—even while navigating a world pandemic and two major floods in the Green Mountains.
We are grateful for all the contributions of our farmers and all those who support dairy. The report will tell the story: the work is rugged but rewarding. Our suppliers, our fertilizer and feed companies, our veterinarians, our truck drivers, our dairy processors and all those who support a working landscape are vital to Vermont’s farm economy. When the report becomes available, please consider taking a deep dive into dairy and conclude, like we have, that “Vermont dairy delivers.”
Anson Tebbetts
Secretary, Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets