DAIRY HIGHLIGHTS 

 MILK PRODUCTION 



Milk production from Massachusetts farms totaled 578 million pounds in 1981, 1 percent more than in 1980, 

 and the largest production since 1977. The average number of milk cows in Massachusetts during 1981 was 

 46,000 head, unchanged from the 1980 record low. The number of milk cows have generally been on a decline 

 since 1944. The 1981 rate per cow of 12,565 pounds continues the long term upward trend with an increase 

 of 174 pounds above the 1980 average. 



MILK DISPOSITION AND BLEND PRICE 



Dairymen in the Commonwealth marketed 569 million pounds in 1981, an increase of 9 million pounds from the 

 1980 total and the largest amount since 1977. The average price received for milk marketed in 1981 

 averaged $15.11 per cwt., 87(t greater than the 1980 average, and continuing the upward trend. With both 

 an increase in the amount marketed and average price, the 1981 cash receipts rose 8 percent above 1980 and 

 totaled almost $86 million. 



MANUFACTURED DAIRY 



Massachusetts ice cream production during 1981 totaled 43 million gallons, 2 percent below 1980 but 2 per- 

 cent above 1979. Although ice cream production was down in the Commonwealth, the production of cheese, ice 

 milk and milk sherbet was all above the 1980 totals. 



MANUFACTURED DAIRY: PRODUCTION MAJOR PRODUCTS, MASSACHUSETTS, 1971-1981 



YEAR 



TOTAL 

 CHEESE 



ICE 

 CREAM 



ICE 

 MILK 



MILK 

 SHERBET 



1971 

 1972 

 1973 

 1974 

 1975 



1976 

 1977 

 1978 

 1979 

 1980 



1981 



1,000 Pounds 



7.268 

 6,416 

 5.976 

 5,412 

 5,288 



6,123 

 5,786 

 7,780 

 6,255 

 5,099 



8,559 



40,455 

 41,025 

 42,302 

 43,607 

 47,761 



46,320 

 45.255 

 42,909 

 42,463 

 43,986 



43,193 



10,173 



2,089 



