Dairy Month

Countryside west of Brodhead, WI. 5/28/22 dwm

June is Dairy month.  It's time to celebrate what is still one of the largest sectors of Wisconsin's economy.

It doesn't have the same impact it once did, when there were more dairy farms across America's Dairyland.  Still, it remains a major force as the state's identity and big part of our way of life.

After a two-year hiatus, dairy breakfasts are back.  Nearly every county is doing some kind of event recognizing the value of milk production, whether it comes from cows, sheep, or goats. 

I'm a city kid.  My knowledge of agriculture and appreciation for the people who work the land and raise livestock comes from time as a reporter and years I sold insurance in a rural area of the state.

Dairy farming is the ultimate 24/7/365 occupation.  Cows need to be milked twice a day, every day.  That doesn't leave much time off for fun, recreation, or vacations.  While the number of farms has shrunk, the number of cows remains close to 1,000,000.  Like many other occupations, efficiency and productivity  is a primary goal, which to some degree is the reason for large dairy operations that requires more than a family to keep it moving.

At the same time, some small operations thrive when they take the liquid and turn it into a final product whether it's cheese, milk, or ice cream.

It's early in June.  I hope you get an opportunity to enjoy a big glass; slice; or scoop of dairy goodness on the farm, store, or home during Dairy month.