New York’s Dairy Production Ranks Fifth Nationally

New York is the fifth-largest dairy producing state in the country. That's according to 2024 data showing the state's roughly 2,800 dairy farms produced 16.1 billion pounds of milk over the year. Dairy remains the largest single sector within New York's agricultural economy, supporting an estimated 183,000 dairy-related jobs across the state.

How New York Compares to the Top Dairy States

New York shares the top five with California, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Texas. Together, those five states account for more than 65 percent of the entire U.S. milk supply. Ranking fifth in that group puts New York in a small, dominant tier rather than simply among the top of a long list. Cool weather and abundant farmland give the state a natural advantage, conditions dairy cows generally perform best in.

Volume only tells part of the story. New York also ranks first nationally in the production of yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese, and it's one of the most dairy-dense states in the country when measured by production per square mile of land. For a state without the sheer geographic size of Texas or California, that density reflects how central dairy is to New York's farmland use.

Dairy Cow Trends in the North Country

State data from 2025 shows some movement at the county level. Jefferson County reported 25,500 dairy cows, down from 27,500 in 2021. Lewis County reported 23,500, down from 26,500 over the same period. St. Lawrence County held steady at an estimated 34,500.

Shifts like these track with a trend playing out across the U.S. dairy industry for decades. Rising equipment and labor costs have pushed farms toward consolidating into fewer, larger operations that run more efficiently at scale. Herd numbers in individual counties can decline even as statewide production holds firm or grows. St. Lawrence County's steady numbers alongside Jefferson and Lewis County's declines reflect that broader pattern rather than a single regional story.

A Stable Ranking

New York's dairy farms remain a major national force, contributing billions of pounds of milk each year and anchoring the state's agricultural economy and workforce. County-level cow counts will keep shifting as the industry evolves, but New York's position among the nation's top producers has stayed consistent.