Thank a dairy farmer during June Dairy Month

June is recognized nationally as Dairy Month. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

The month of June has long been set aside to highlight the dairy industry, and this year is no exception. The industry is excited about the new MyPlate guidelines out this month from the USDA, according to Marla Behrends, Industry Relations Manager with the Midwest Dairy Association.  “We are really excited that the MyPlate is obviously a lot better visual for everyone to understand.  We’re happy that they have actually focused on dairy with the glass to the right as an individual by itself – not part of the plate – because it focuses it out and makes it more important that way, making sure that we have 2-4 servings of low-fat dairy in our diets,” said Behrends.

Behrends also addressed concerns about flavored milks.  School food service workers tell the industry the 70-80 percent of students are drinking flavored milks.  “If they don’t have that flavored milk, are they going to drink the milk?” asks Behrends.  “We’re worried that if they aren’t drinking their milk, where are they going to get those nine essential vitamins that are in there?”  Behrends said flavored milks provide nutrients along with the calories, instead of being a nutrient-void drink for kids and adults alike.

The month of June has been a time to highlight the dairy industry for many years, and while there are fewer dairies in the state of Illinois than there used to be, they are an important part of the agriculture industry.  Illinois dairy producers are responsible for 223 million gallons of milk produced in the state each year.  “We are a milk-deficit state,” says Behrends.  “Our dairy farmers don’t produce enough milk for our fluid needs, let alone making the cheese and ice cream and everything else.”

To hear WJBC Agribusiness Intern Katlyn Rumbold’s interview with Marla Behrends, click here:

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