New Mexico has approximately 107 licensed dairy herds, with the largest average herd size (2700) in the nation. New Mexico is currently ranked 9th in the nation for milk production and 4th in the nation for cheese production (see our 2023 stats here).
The dairy industry in New Mexico provides significant economic benefits to the state. According to USDA statistics, New Mexico dairies produced over 8.17 billion pounds of milk in 2020. The average New Mexico dairy produces over 58 million pounds of milk per year. The economic value of this raw milk alone contributes over $1.4 billion to the economy of New Mexico, and the total economic impact exceeds $4.45 billion annually. For more information on the economic contributions of dairy farms to the New Mexico economy, visit the NMSU Dairy Extension.
Dairy Producers of New Mexico (DPNM) works closely with environmental advisors and local and regional environmental regulators to formulate environmentally protective, sensible, and efficient operating procedures to enable our farmers to produce the milk used in all the delicious dairy products we enjoy like cheese, butter, ice cream, fluid milk, and dairy ingredients.
– The First Session of the 57th Legislature opens on January 21st. Legislation can be pre-filed until January 17th.
-Thank you to all of our Sponsors, Exhibitors, Golfers & Attendees for making our 33rd Annual Meeting, Trade Show, Golf Tournament & Silent Auction Fundraiser a success! We can’t wait to see you all again next year.
Looking back on the letter I wrote to wrap up 2023, it seems we are much in the same place as last year. Waiting for the FMMO hearing to wrap up, waiting on a Farm Bill, and the added fun of a new pandemic with H5N1 traveling through much of America’s herds. Although it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the obstacles that just don’t seem to be easing up, we still have so many things to be thankful for…
We are grateful to our producers and associate members for
allowing us to continue forward with our original mission “to sustain and
enhance the existing dairy industry in the Southwest”. We do this with every
phone call, webinar, and meeting we attend. We work hard to ensure our
producers can keep doing what they love, and that we taste the fruits of their labor
in all the delicious and nutritious dairy products we depend on and enjoy.
We are blessed! I hope that this holiday season allows a
little time for reflection and a lot of time for family and friends.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, and here’s hoping for a
productive and prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
Sybrand Vander Dussen
Rajen Dairy