ABSTRACT
The major portion of the livestock receipts is from dairy products--3.1 billion dollars. Although dairy farms in New England do continue to decrease in numbers and dairy cow numbers diminish accordingly, the milk production per cow and per herd or farm continues to climb. The markets are prevalent in New England, with its population density, thus allowing rural production within easy access to the consumer. New England farmers historically have been excellent livestock men. The New England farmer has often been faced with the quandary of how to make a living under ofttimes less-than-desirable conditions. New England livestock producers, though small and often diversified, are facing the future with courage, adaptability, innovation, and confidence that they will continue to do a respectable job in maintaining their families and farms and contributing to the nation's meat supply. Although there are some large-acreage livestock farms in New England, most are small, family farms.
