Celebrate National Dairy Month in June
US - June is known as National Dairy Month in the US, and throughout the month dairy farms and families often open their gates to visitors for breakfasts and tours, while grocery stores and other businesses feature dairy products during the month. America’s heartland - from North Dakota to Arkansas - is home to more than 11,000 dairy farms and the people behind the products: dairy farmers.
30 May 2012
2 minute read
J.W. Schroeder, a dairy specialist from North Dakota State University Extension says that National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote milk drinking.
It was created to stabilise the dairy demand when production was at a surplus, but it has developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world. After the National Dairy Council stepped in to promote the cause, the name soon changed to "Dairy Month."
June also is the month of dairy royalty.
The princess, who serves as a goodwill ambassador for the state's dairy farmers, makes media appearances, talks with children about being healthy through consuming dairy products every day, and visits with consumers in various settings from county fairs to school visits to help them understand the dedication of dairy farmers to producing wholesome and delicious dairy products, and their commitment to the land and their animals.
One of the greatest challenges of the next generation will be providing nutritious, affordable food to a global population expected to grow to 9 billion by 2050. Dairy is part of the solution. Not only are dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, nutrient-rich, they also are being produced using fewer resources, and are helping foster healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet. And at about 25 cents per glass, milk provides one of the richest sources of well-absorbed calcium in the American diet.
The health of the dairy farmers’ checkbook is not as encouraging. The end of May marked five straight month of declining income and high feed costs. Because feed represents 50 to 60 per cent of the cost to produce milk, this is not good news for dairy farmers. While most of us just see the cost at the retail shelf and assume profit, the dairy producers have nowhere to pass on their costs. So when you see that dairy farm family member, thank him or her for his or her spirit and contribution to our health.
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