INDIANAPOLIS — Though it is not among the top five milk-producing states in the U.S., the dairy industry still helps Indiana’s economy thrive.
According to the American Dairy Association of Indiana , there are more than 700 dairy farms in the Hoosier State. The ADAI reported that about 95% of those dairy farms are family-owned.
Those farms house more than 174,000 dairy cows. The average farm cares for about 140 cows, per the ADAI.
There are also more than 20 dairy processing plants in Indiana. According to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture , the Hoosier State is home to three specialty cheese facilities, nine ice cream plants, eight fluid milk processors, one Reddi-wip factory and one condensed milk powder plant.
Among the top dairy processors that call Indiana home are ConAgra Foods, Edy’s, Kroger, Nestle and Prairie Farms.
Indiana ranks 14th nationally in milk production. The Hoosier State is second in the country in ice cream production, per the ISDA.
Indiana’s cows make about four billion pounds of milk each year. The ADAI reported that approximately four million pounds of milk are exported from Indiana daily.