The Canadian Dairy Industry

Trivia Time

• the dairy industry contributes more than $7 billion annually to Canada's economy


• the dairy processing industry is the second-largest food processing sector, after meat and meat products


• Canadian milk is internationally recognized for its superior quality


• Canada has one of the highest average milk production per cow in the world (8,738 kg of milk in 305 days of lactations).
  Note: 1 kilo of milk is approximately 1 litre of milk.


• the two largest milk-producing provinces in Canada are Quebec and Ontario


• there are approximately 1.2 million dairy cows in Canada


• the average size herd in Canada is 54 cows


• there are about 21, 500 dairy farms in Canada


• a typical dairy farm has about 100 ha (250 acres) and has a value of approximately $1 million (this figure includes land, quota, cows, machinery and buildings)

For more information on Dairy Cows and Products:

Dairy Farmers of Ontario
6780 Campobello Road
Mississauga ON L5N 2L8
Phone: 905-821-8970
Fax: 905-821-3160
E-mail: wlane@milk.org
Website: http://www.milk.org

Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec
Website: http://www.lait.org

• The Dairy Barn
• Dairy Products
• Care and Feeding
• Dairy Breeds