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Costs and returns associated with U.S. milk production changed from 2000–24

by Jeffrey Gillespie and Eric Njuki
2/13/2026

Dairy

Line graph showing the various costs and returns associated with U.S. milk production from 2000 to 2024.

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U.S. milk production has increased over the past 20 years, while the number of dairy farms has decreased. Larger farms, on average, produce milk at lower costs per unit, reflecting efficiencies gained through scale and technology adoption.

Costs and returns associated with U.S. milk production changed from 2000–24

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Costs and returns associated with U.S. milk production changed from 2000–24

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