For more than 75 years, June has been designated as the time to celebrate America’s great bounty of dairy products and to pay tribute to America’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 farms and producers.

Pennsylvania and Butler County continue to make significant contributions to the nation’s dairy industry. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, Butler County averages 3,700 milk cows with a total production of more than 67.6 million pounds of milk per year. The total value of production for Butler County is set at over $11.4 million.

The dairy industry in Pennsylvania is the largest segment of our agricultural industry and we are the fourth largest dairy state in the United States, generating $1.2 billion in farm receipts. 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 services. When a dairy farm spends money locally it is estimated that every $1 spent generates approximately $2.50 in wages and related business transactions to the local economy. Dairy farming in Pennsylvania is responsible for the creation of more than 40,000 jobs throughout the state and across the supply chain.

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 farms 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 those farms remain in production.

The high cost of land, ever-increasing operating expenses, and dramatic swings in the marketplace all contribute to the declining numbers. Not only do today’s farmers face numerous business challenges but they also must 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 Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.