The purpose of this paper was to measure factors that affected the profitability of dairy operations in Gunnison Valley, Utah. Special attention was paid to economies of size, return on dairy capital and benefits accruing to the owners of dairies in the valley . Also, within the scope of this study was the subject of economic development and its accompanying impacts on an economy. A census of the dairy operations in Gunnison Valley was conducted to acquire data on dairy_capital owned, cow numbers and quantities of milk produced and returns to the owners of dairies of both a monetary and non-monetary nature. Comparisons were made of this data and overall profitability of dairy operations was measured in relation to various factors and the configuration of factor mixes. Developmental impacts were measured in an absolute and relative manner.