We are milk drinkers, cheese eaters, ice cream connoisseurs, and butter lovers at my house.
Upon Bill’s doctor’s recommendation, we tried oat milk once — just once. Let’s just say it was not for us.
We like raw, pasteurized, whole and 2 percent milk, but we opt to forgo skimmed milk. If you ask me, a dab of sour cream makes mashed potatoes even better. My cinnamon roll recipe calls for heavy whipping cream to be poured over the rising rolls just before they go into the oven. After they come out and cool a bit, they are draped in cream cheese icing. We tend to celebrate the nation’s dairy industry around my house all year round, not just in June.
We continue to hear the chatter about the dairy industry being “cruel” or how milk is pumped full of hormones, but we don’t often hear how important the dairy industry is here in the U.S.
According to the International Dairy Foods Association, the U.S. dairy industry supports more than 3 million jobs, including more than 1 million positions in dairy product manufacturing. It has an economic impact of $41 billion on the national economy. The plant-based “milk” market is significantly less.
We just came out of Beef Month, and the dairy industry plays a role in the beef industry. According to industry experts, about 20 percent of the total beef supply is from dairy animals. If you remember my Beef Month column, I sang the praises of the beef from the Jersey steers we process.
We ran several Holstein/Beefmaster cows when I was a kid. We got them as babies from a nearby dairy farm. They were big, solid cows that threw good calves and gave plenty of milk. If you go far enough back, some of those genetics are likely in my dad’s herd today.
As I have written previously, I am a big fan of an eye-appealing dairy cow. There’s just something about a highly productive cow that you have to appreciate. When I can, I like to watch cattle shows online. I’ve caught a few people I know and their cows on those streams, which is always exciting.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I have the ideal eye for dairy cattle. After years of not doing so, I participated in the annual Hoard’s judging contest. Let’s just say I busted two classes and have vowed to do better next year!
During your next trip to the store, remember your local dairy farmer, pick up some extra dairy items, and show your support. If you know a local dairy farmer who offers fresh-from-the-farm dairy products, don’t be afraid to try their products.
Thank you to our dairy farmers for your dedication to your cows and way of life. Without you, our refrigerators would look very different.
Julie Turner-Crawford is a native of Dallas County, Mo., where she grew up on her family’s farm. She is a graduate of Missouri State University. To contact Julie, call 1-866-532-1960 or by email at [email protected].
