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Dairy Cattle
The dairy industry is New York State's largest contributor to the agricultural economy generating $1.7 billion in 2009.  One-third of the state's milk production is for drinking and the remaining two-thirds is used for processed dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cottage cheese and ice cream.

NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets Dairy statistics:
  • 5,400 dairy farms in NYS
  • Average farm is family owned
  • Average herd size is 113 cows producing 20,071 lbs. of milk/cow/year
  • Nationally, NYS ranks 1st in cottage cheese production, 3rd in other cheeses (mozarella, cheddar)
  • Every new farm job, creates 1.24 new jobs in the community

Cornell Cooperative Extension educators work with Cornell faculty, producers and the industry to address pressing needs related to production, competitiveness, profitability and protecting the environment.

Regional CCE Dairy Teams & Programs
Central New York Dairy & Field Crops Program : Dairy
Chenango, Herkimer, Otsego, Schoharie Co. Contact Dave Balbian.
Central New York Dairy & Field Crops Program: Field Crops
Chenango, Herkimer, Otsego, Schoharie Co. Contact Kevin Ganoe.
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program
Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates Co.
Additional Resources
New York Center for Dairy Excellence
Implementing strategies to increase the profitability and strengthen the dairy industry in NY, by focusing on initiatives that have impact at the farm level. Part of the NY Farm Viability Institute.
New York Animal Agriculture Coalition
Focused on fostering the publics' understanding of and appreciation for animal agriculture.
Supplemental Cooling to Provide Heat Stress Relief for Northeast Dairy Cows
By Curt Gooch, P.E., Dept. of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University.
Use of Dried Manure Solids as Bedding for Dairy Cows
Fact sheet created from project results on the effects of using dairy manur solids for bedding, on uddre health, milk quality, cost-savings, and re-bedding issues. Cornell Waste Management Institute (CWMI).
Adding Value to the Dairy Industry
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University.
Changes in the Farm Price of Milk Over the Past 100 Years
By Andrew M. Novakovic, Director, Cornell Program on Dairy Markets and Policy.
Environmental Impact of Dairy Production: Reducing the Carbon Footprint of a Dairy Farm
Results of a study on the environmental impact of using Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST) in dairy production. (2008)