BUFFALO, N.Y. – New York is the fifth-largest dairy state in the U.S. and home to more than 3,000 dairy farmers. Fifty percent of the agricultural income for the entire state is dairy.
In fact, 82% of New Yorkers say cheese is their favorite food, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by Undeniably Dairy.
Val Lavigne, a second-generation dairy farmer in Schaghticoke whose milk helps make Cabot Cheese, says the dairy scene across the state is only growing.
Recently, Wisconsin-based cheesemaker BelGioioso Cheeses said it’s investing $23 million in upgrading and expanding operations at its facilities in Schenectady and Steuben counties. Last year, Chobani said it was investing $1.2 billion in a facility in Rome, and Lactalis USA announced $75 million in upgrades to facilities in Walton and Buffalo. These investments are bringing more jobs and stability across the state.
“New York state is actually the number one producer of cream cheese, yogurt, sour cream, and cottage cheese,” Lavigne said. “We also produce all sorts of different dairy products here. That’s just what we’re number one in. So seeing the variety of the really great products produced here in New York is so exciting.”
Lavigne, who sits on the National Dairy Board, also says there are trends to look out for. She says new research has shown that fats found in dairy help with heart and brain health.
Lavigne says the average person ate 40-42 pounds of cheese last year.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently addressed several issues concerning upstate dairy farmers, like high costs, labor, and safety net programs, including a plan to modify the dairy margin coverage program, which farmers have not benefited from this year.