NAICS 112120

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the framework used by U.S. federal statistical programs to classify business establishments for economic data collection and publication. Created by the Economic Classification Policy Committee under the Office of Management and Budget and jointly developed with Statistics Canada and Mexico’s INEGI, NAICS replaced SIC in 1997 and is updated on a five-year cycle. ¹

The current NAICS vintage is 2022. ⁴

NAICS 112120 covers establishments primarily engaged in milking dairy cattle (i.e., producing raw cow’s milk). Official cross-references clarify that raising dairy herd replacements is classified in 112111, milking goats in 112420, and dual-purpose cattle operations in 112130. ²

What this NAICS covers

• Milking dairy cattle as the primary business activity. ²
• On-farm production of raw cow’s milk. ²
• Operation of dairy farms where milking cows is the main source of agricultural output. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	112111	Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming (includes raising dairy herd replacements). 2
NAICS	112130	Dual-Purpose Cattle Ranching and Farming (milk and meat). 2
PSC	8810	Live Animals, Raised for Food. 5
PSC	8910	Dairy Foods and Eggs. 5

Classification nuances and exclusions

• Raising dairy herd replacements is classified in NAICS 112111, not 112120. ²
• Milking goats is classified in NAICS 112420, not 112120. ²
• Establishments raising cattle for both milking and meat are classified in NAICS 112130 unless milking is not the primary activity. ²

Census data coverage notes for this code

• The 2022 Economic Census excludes NAICS Sector 112 (Animal Production and Aquaculture), so detailed Economic Census industry tables are not published for 112120. ³
• Census programs are transitioning to the 2022 NAICS by the end of calendar year 2027; consult program documentation for adoption status and any restatements. ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What activities are included in NAICS 112120?

  • Establishments whose primary activity is milking dairy cattle and producing raw cow’s milk are included in 112120. Related activities like raising herd replacements or milking goats belong to 112111 and 112420, respectively. ²

• How does 112120 differ from 112111 and 112130?

  • 112120 is milking cows; 112111 covers cattle raising (including dairy herd replacements); 112130 covers dual-purpose herds for milk and meat. Choose based on the establishment’s primary activity. ²

• Is NAICS 112120 covered in 2022 Economic Census data?

  • No. The 2022 Economic Census does not cover Animal Production and Aquaculture (Sector 112), so detailed tables for 112120 are not published there; use other Census economic programs for statistics. ³

• What is the current NAICS vintage and when will programs use it?

  • The current vintage is 2022. Census economic programs are implementing 2022 NAICS on a rolling basis with full adoption expected by the end of 2027, subject to limited exceptions noted by each program. ⁴

• What PSCs commonly align with dairy-related buys?

  • Product purchases often use PSC 8910 (Dairy Foods and Eggs). Live animal buys may use PSC 8810 (raised for food) or 8820 (not raised for food), per the PSC Manual. ⁵

Useful resources

• Census NAICS description for 112120 (Dairy Cattle and Milk Production). ²
• Census: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline and adoption). ⁴
• 2022 Economic Census Methodology (coverage and exclusions). ³

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau — Classifying Businesses (history of NAICS adoption and development): https://www.census.gov/about/history/historical-censuses-and-surveys/census-programs-surveys/economic/classifying-businesses.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS Sector 11 archive page with definitions for 112120 and related cross-references: https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect11.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau — 2022 Economic Census Methodology (industries not covered): https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/year/2022/technical-documentation/methodology.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (timeline): https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
5. U.S. General Services Administration — Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual, April 2025: https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/all