• California has been the nation’s leading dairy state since 1993, when it surpassed Wisconsin in milk production. California is ranked first in the U.S. in the production of total milk, butter, ice cream, yogurt, nonfat dry milk, and whey protein concentrate. California is second in cheese production. (CDFA)
• California leads the nation in total milk production. In 2011, California produced 41.4 billion pounds of milk – more than one-fifth of the nation’s total production. (CDFA)
• Dairy farming is a leading agricultural commodity in California, producing $7.6 billion in annual sales in 2011. (CDFA)
• Approximately forty-three percent of all of California milk goes to make California cheese. (CDFA)
• Currently there are more than 1,600 California dairy family farms that house 1.75 million milk cows. Approximately one out of every five dairy cows in the U.S. lives in California. (CDFA)
• The average California dairy cow produced 23,438 pounds of milk in 2011. (CDFA)
• According to the most recent data, 35 percent of the total U.S. exports of dairy products are coming from California in 2008. (CDFA)
• California’s milk standards exceed federal standards because California processors add nonfat milk solids which offer improved taste and nutritional benefits. California milks exceed the federal guidelines for the amounts of calcium and protein in each serving.
• Real California Milk can be found at retailers such as Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Walgreens, Target, 7-Eleven, Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Stater Bros., Food 4 Less, Superior Grocers, Lucky, Longs Drugs, Nugget and O’Brien’s. For a comprehensive list of retailers, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com.

*All data provided by the California Milk Advisory Board, except as noted.

Last updated: August 2012