It’s June Dairy Month and it seems that those of us involved in the dairy industry are promoting milk and dairy products this season. Just paging though local papers I found several different ways that dairy was or will be promoted in our nearby communities.

• Dairy Day at the “Moo”seum – Held on the National Dairy Shrine Museum’s grassy backyard, the Saturday event included a parade of all seven dairy breeds, both heifers and cows, as a spokesperson talked about each breed’s characteristics. There were also educational materials and games related to agriculture.

• Dairy promotion events – The next county over, Dane, is home to the state capital, Madison. A dedicated group of dairy promoters has organized “Cows on the Concourse” for decades. Madison residents and those who come to the city’s capitol square for the farmer’s market on the first Saturday of June are treated to cows, educational booths, dairy food vendors, music, and the chance to talk to dairy producers.

• Dairy breakfasts – Held either at a working dairy farm or at a fairgrounds, these events serve as a fundraisers, generally for youth scholarships. The dairy breakfast in Jefferson County was held at the fairgrounds, while Dane County and the neighboring town, Watertown, will hold their dairy breakfasts on dairy farms.

• Dairy and agri-business events – For the fifth year, Culver’s restaurant in nearby Johnson Creek, hosts Culver’s & Cows. The event has (dairy-focused) children’s games, calves to pet, and a model cow to milk. 4-H members assist in the restaurant with delivering food on a Monday evening. Dairy producers and other members are outside with the animals to answer questions. Culver’s then donates a portion of the sales to the local 4-H club.

• Dairy product celebration – This is the newest twist on June Dairy Month, at least for me. The local bank is inviting residents to stop into the bank and enjoy some dairy products all day on a Friday. So, even if they do not have live animals in the bank, they are embracing the partnership that financial institutions have with dairy businesses and the economy.

Regardless of the method, milk and dairy products are getting some added exposure this time of year. Embrace the positive promotion and take the time to attend events in your area and share your story with your consumers.

Patti Hurtgen

The author is the online media manager and is responsible for the website, webinars, and social media. A graduate of Modesto Junior College and Fresno State, she was raised on a California dairy and frequently blogs on youth programs and consumer issues.

Daryl Nydam, D.V.M.

Join us as Daryl Nydam, D.V.M, Cornell University, presents “Monitoring and managing metabolic diseases in the transition cow” on Monday, June 12, at noon (Central time). The transition cow faces a number of challenges including metabolic and infectious diseases, which can cause problems throughout the upcoming lactation. This webinar will discuss energy balance and minimizing disease risk during this critical stage. Sponsored by: Cargill Animal Nutrition. Register for webinars here.