Buffalo County is the 65th largest dairy county in the nation. There are 5 different manufacturing companies that make cheese and 7 milk plants that purchase milk within a 30 mile radius of the county borders.

Transportation costs average about 35 cents per hundredweight with all dairies subsidizing that cost. It is not unusual for a large dairy farm to pay 1 cent/hundredweight for milk transportation.

Prices paid for milk in Buffalo County are very competitive. The 1993 average price in West Central Wisconsin was $12.93. In 1994 the price averaged $13.53 and in 1995 the on farm price averaged $13.42. Premiums are paid for volume, quality, fat and protein.

There is no milk base program in Buffalo County. Therefore, the farm gate price is the same for all milk produced.