California Dairy Dominance Continues as Trump and Kennedy Promote Milk

One in five glasses of milk consumed in the U.S. comes from California dairy companies, as the state surpassed Wisconsin as the nation's top milk producer in 1993.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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California's dairy industry has grown to dominate the national milk market, with the state now producing one in every five glasses of milk consumed in the U.S. This rise to prominence came as California embraced an industrial, feedlot-based model of dairy farming, in contrast to the smaller, pasture-based farms more common in Wisconsin, the former dairy leader. The shift was aided by factors like available land and water in Southern California, as well as aggressive marketing campaigns like the iconic "Got Milk?" ads. However, the industrial model has also faced criticism over animal welfare and environmental concerns. Now, with President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. championing dairy consumption, California's dairy dominance is again in the spotlight.

Why it matters

California's dairy industry has become a major economic driver for the state, but its rapid growth and industrial practices have raised questions about sustainability and animal welfare. The renewed political focus on dairy consumption could have significant implications for California's dairy producers, as well as public health debates around the benefits and risks of dairy products.

The details

California's dairy industry grew rapidly in the early 20th century, as farmers from the Netherlands, Portugal, and elsewhere established large-scale, feedlot-based operations in Southern California. This industrial model, which relied on crowded indoor facilities and specialized feed blends rather than pasture grazing, allowed California dairies to dramatically increase milk production. By the 1990s, California had surpassed Wisconsin as the nation's top milk producer.

  • In 1993, California surpassed Wisconsin as the nation's top milk-producing state.
  • In August 1977, a tropical storm was blamed for killing 725 dairy cows in Chino, California due to heat exhaustion issues associated with the feedlot model.

The players

President Donald J. Trump

The current President of the United States, who has promoted increased dairy consumption and the benefits of whole milk.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has also advocated for increased dairy consumption, including the benefits of raw, unpasteurized milk.

California Milk Advisory Board

The organization that has crowned a California Dairy Princess as a dairy ambassador for nearly 70 years.

Rhoda Rindge Adamson

The founder of the Adohr dairy brand, one of the biggest dairy operations in the world in the early 20th century, whose family owned a vast tract of land in Malibu.

August Handorf

A German immigrant dairy farmer who repeatedly relocated his operation as development encroached on his land, eventually settling near La Puente.

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What’s next

The judge in the case of the newborn baby's death from listeria linked to raw milk will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the raw milk supplier to continue operations while the investigation continues.

The takeaway

California's dairy dominance has come at a cost, with the state's industrial, feedlot-based model raising concerns about animal welfare and environmental sustainability. As political figures promote increased dairy consumption, these issues will likely remain at the forefront of debates around the future of the state's dairy industry.