Cows are milked daily, two to three times a day, depending on the farm. They like consistency and enjoy a schedule.

With a supply-managed system in place, Canadian dairy farmers’ milk revenue comes from the marketplace without the need for government subsidies.

The price Canadian consumers pay for a glass of milk covers the actual cost to produce it. In fact, when comparing prices in restaurants versus the retail price of milk, it is important to understand that several factors contribute to these numbers such as transportation costs, processing fees, and retail distribution.

BC is home to about 470 dairy farms that are family-owned and operated. The average farm has 145 milking cows and fields nearby that grow crops such as grass and corn. Some dairy farms also grow other local food staples, such as vegetables or berries.

While most of a dairy cow’s diet consists of grass and corn grown by the farmer, or from other local farms, most dairy farmers supplement this with a mix of grains, vitamins, and other supplements to ensure cows are getting all the nutrients and energy they need. Palm products are a long-standing feed supplement for dairy cows, approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.