DairyTalk 730: Fewer Dairy Farms, More Milk: Why U.S. Dairy Production Is Becoming More Concentrated - by Helmut Demmelhuber

DairyTalk by Helmut Demmelhuber · Oct 24, 2026 · 22m

This podcast episode draws on two sources examining the structural transformation of the U.S. dairy industry and its implications for farm profitability. Since 1992, the number of dairy farms has fallen sharply, even as total milk output has increased through higher productivity, technological advances, and the expansion of large-scale operations. Economies of scale have strengthened the competitive position of larger dairies, while smaller farms face growing pressure from production costs and market conditions. For these businesses, the strategic choice is not simply whether to expand, but…