National Dairy Month is underway, taking place every June since 1937, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.
As of date, Mississippi has 48 working dairy farms with an average of 150 cows per farm. Laura Marbury, a registered dietician who works for the Dairy Alliance, said the best thing consumers can do to show their support for local farmers is to shop for locally produced dairy products.
“The best thing you can do is enjoy a delicious, local dairy product,” she said during an appearance on Good Things with Rebecca Turner, adding that more mile than you think is produced locally. “Your milk that you buy at the grocery store actually goes from farm to fridge within 38 hours. So, milk is actually pretty local and it’s a great high-quality, nutritious product.”
For those who aren’t big fans of glass of cold milk, other dairy products like cheeses, yogurt, and ice cream are made right here in Mississippi. Mississippi State University, home to the nation’s second largest on-campus dairy farm, does produce around 370,000 gallons of milk each year. But its annual output of cheese stands at 300,000 pounds and ice cream at 9,000 gallons.
“There are plenty of delicious, dairy products you can celebrate with especially during this hot month,” Marbury said.
She added that the most-consumed dairy product in Mississippi, possibly to the surprise of some, isn’t milk. Cheese takes the top ranking but is followed closely by ice cream.
Marbury said the reason dairy farmers deserve to be celebrated is not only the work they put in to deliver products to grocery store and market shelves and restaurants but also their efforts toward sustainability. This includes addressing climate change and water quality while providing clean, nutritious, and affordable foods for a growing population.
The U.S. dairy industry is aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Sustainability has come a long way when it comes to dairy farms. On a farm today, you can see greenhouse gas reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, and so much more,” Marbury said.
While inflation has slowed somewhat, grocery prices are still increasing nationally. Marbury believes the trend of heftier receipts has been avoided by the dairy industry for the most part and foresees prices of dairy products to remain stable – especially compared to other sources of protein.
“Dairy foods are still one of the most affordable and accessible sources of high-quality protein,” she said. “Dairy provides many of the essential nutrients our body needs to stay healthy, and one of those key nutrients is protein. The protein in milk provides all nine of the essential amino acids our body needs from food and that really sets it apart from many plant-based alternatives that just don’t quite match up.”
An eight-ounce glass of milk provides eight grams of complete, quality protein, according to Marbury. Mississippi, where the average gallon of milk goes for slightly lower than the national cost, has long advocated for dairy products produced locally. In 1984, the Mississippi legislature and then-Gov. William Allain declared the official state beverage as milk to boost milk consumption.
Marbury said that other ways to celebrate National Dairy Month include adding some cheese on vegetables, especially in households with kids that might be reluctant to eat greens otherwise, and by visiting a local dairy farm. For those who would rather get the farm experience at home, the Dairy Alliance offers virtual tours of dairy farms in the region.
