For more than 69 years, June has been designated as the time to celebrate America's great bounty of dairy products and to pay tribute to this country's dairy farmers.

Beginning in 1937 with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' promotion as the first National Milk Month, June has been designated as a time to promote the dairy industry in support of America's dairy farmers and producers.

Pennsylvania and Butler County continue to make significant contributions to the nation's dairy industry. According to the most recent statistical summary and annual report of the state Department of Agriculture, Butler County averages 3,800 milk cows, with a total production of more than 67.6 million pounds of milk a year. The total value of production for the county is set at more than $11 million.

The economic importance of Pennsylvania's dairy industry does not stop at the farm gate. Secondary economic activity is generated by the purchases of feed, seed, fertilizer, machinery, buildings, milking equipment and veterinary expenses.

Nationally, the state ranks as follows:

• In 2003, Pennsylvania produced 10.34 billion pounds of milk, ranking the commonwealth fourth in milk production in the country. The state produces 6.1 percent of the nation's milk. California is first, with 20.8 percent of the production in the United States, followed by Wisconsin and New York, respectively.

The number of commercial dairy farmers in the state continues to decrease, bringing the numbers to 575,000 dairy cows for 2003. On the average, each cow produces 17,979 pounds of milk with a total value of more than $1.45 billion for the state.

Recent statistics indicate that a total of 4.6 billion pounds of milk, on a whole-milk basis, were used to manufacture dairy products. Butter accounted for 30 percent of this total, frozen products 18 percent and the remaining 52 percent was used for cheese and other dairy products.

The production of manufactured dairy products is highlighted by the following:

• The state manufactured 368.9 million pounds of cheese, excluding cottage cheese, in 2003.

• Pennsylvania is the fourth largest manufacturer of ice cream in the nation, with production of 54.4 million gallons.

• The state's processors churned out 61.9 million pounds of butter during 2003.

• The state also produces a significant amount of Italian-type cheeses such as mozzarella, with a total of 241.7 million pounds in 2000.

Although the dairy industry as a whole has come a long way since its beginnings, the dairy producer's job is a demanding one. Despite the dairy farmers' hard work to produce good-tasting, quality products, recent times have been difficult.

As dairy farmers have gotten larger and more efficient and technological advances enable fewer farmers to feed more people, the number of small dairy farms has declined steadily. In 1980, there were more than 300,000 dairy farms nationally. Today, less than half of these remain in production.

The high cost of land, ever-increasing operating expenses and dramatic swings in the market place all contribute to the declining numbers. Not only do today's farmers face numerous business challenges, they must also begin their days well before dawn and work late into the evening every day of the year.

As you enjoy a glass of milk or a bowl of ice cream, remember the agricultural producers and processors that have made great advances in keeping our dairy products highly nutritious and delicious.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Home complex.