Dairy Industry Challenges and Insights

North Carolina hosts over 130 Grade-A dairy farms, with a mix of state-owned and small processors. Despite a decline in farm numbers, milk production remains steady due to improved cow productivity. NC State supports dairy extension through research and education, focusing on sustainability and technology. Dairy farmers face price volatility, but their contributions to the economy are significant, supporting over 28,000 jobs and generating $200 million in farm gate receipts.

How many Grade-A dairy farms are there in North Carolina?

• Over 130

• About 100

• Less than 50

• Exactly 200

What is the average butterfat content in milk from North Carolina cows?

• 2%

• 3%

• 4%

• 5%

How many pounds of milk are needed to produce one pound of butter?

• 15 pounds

• 10 pounds

• 25 pounds

• 21 pounds

Approximately how many milk cows are there in North Carolina?

• 50,000

• 41,000

• 30,000

• 20,000

What is the role of NC State's core team in supporting dairy extension?

• Providing financial aid to farmers

• Conducting research and offering resources

• Selling dairy products

• Regulating milk prices

Which of the following is NOT a focus of NC State's current dairy projects?

• Calf nutrition

• Dairy farm business benchmarking

• Developing new dairy breeds

• Value-added dairy enterprise development

What major challenge did dairy farmers face in 2021?

• Lack of dairy cows

• Extreme volatility in milk prices

• Shortage of dairy products

• Decrease in consumer demand

Why is it important for Extension roles to stay informed about policy changes?

• To understand effects on producers

• To reduce farm sizes

• To improve cow health

• To increase milk production

How many jobs are directly tied to the dairy industry in North Carolina?

• 10,000

• 35,000

• 28,000

• 20,000

What is the contribution of the dairy industry to North Carolina's farm gate receipts?

• $100 million

• $250 million

• $150 million

• $200 million