About DFNS

Brief History

The Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia organization was created through legislation enacted in 2001, and replaces the former Nova Scotia Dairy Commission. DFNS exists under the delegated authority and supervision of the Natural Products Marketing Council.
 

Main Activities

Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia is a producer-funded and elected board which provides regulatory and administrative services to Nova Scotia's dairy producers.

Working in cooperation with Natural Products Marketing Council, DFNS licenses producers and milk transporters, sets the farm price for milk, and administers the production quota system, which is a cornerstone of the supply management system. DFNS Directors represent the province's producers on Dairy Farmers of Canada and committees administering the National Milk Marketing Plan and two interprovincial milk pools.

DFNS has approximately 190 family-run farms located from Port Morien to Yarmouth. Together, they produce over 215million litres of high-quality milk each year. This represents farm gate revenue of approximately $256 million per year.  In 2024, there were 1500-200 full-time equivalent jobs supported by the industry.  This produces roughly $110-$130 million in total wages across the provincial economy.  The attributed GDP impact of milk production is estimated at approximately $160-180 million and generates $790 million in total economic activity. These impacts reflect direct farm production, dairy processing, and supply chain linkages.

NovaPark Consulting Team from Dal-AC, & Swarnathilake, C. (2026, February). The economic impact of dairy farming in Nova Scotia 2026. Prepared for Dairy Producers of Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

The majority of milk is processed in the province, and the province's seven processors make fluid milk and cream, yogurt, ice cream and a variety of cheeses.
 

Dairy Industry Act

Visit the list of regulations filed under the Dairy Industry Act.