In 1975 there were 817 dairy farms producing milk in Connecticut. In 2018, there were barely 100 dairy farmers in our state, with herds number between 19,000 and 20,000 cows.
Because of active support from the State of Connecticut and its citizens, the number of dairy farms in Connecticut has remained stable since 2010.
Congressman Joe Courtney has been a tremendous supporter of the dairy industry. He was the first CT legislator appointed to the House Agriculture Committee in over 100 years.
The Federal Government sets the price that dairy farmers receive for their milk. That price does not reflect the higher cost of doing business in the northeast.
CT dairy farmers are facing exploding costs of production including feed, fuel and electricity.
CT dairy farming generates $2 billion of economic activity annually, employing thousands of individuals on and off the farm.
CT dairy farmers crop over half of all Connecticut farmland providing open space, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas and adding to the quality of life for all CT's citizens.