In Wisconsin we can celebrate Dairy Month anytime and anywhere when we buy Wisconsin dairy products at the local grocery, cheese store or ice cream shop. But during the month of June, National Dairy Month, it’s a great time to celebrate and learn more about the great dairy traditions that have roots dating back many generations in this state.
“My family started in 1958 with my mother and father in law,” said Tina Hinchley. “They started with 11 cows, then when to 35, then they went from 35 to 73 and on to 100 and now we’re at 240 cows.”
Dairy farms in Wisconsin are working hard to use sustainable farming to support their own farm as well as the surrounding community for years to come.
“All of us farmers are working really really hard to make sure that the land that we are using is going to be better than when we got it,” Hinchley said. “As we take care of the land and take care of our cows we need to make sure that that’s sustainable as possible. So, through the use of technology we’re able to produce more milk on less acres than ever before. Along with that in our new robotic barn we’ve got slatted floor and manure storage.”
Dairy farmers also make huge contributions to the local economy.
“Every cent that comes through this farm, we’re buying stuff,” Hinchley said. “It goes to the veterinarians, it goes to the grocery store, it goes to our local coops, it goes to the fuel. Everything that farmers are earning through their milk paycheck is being spent and it’s being spent locally.”
Here in Wisconsin, we are spoiled when it comes to access to exceptionally produced dairy products. The state’s dedicated dairy farm families are dedicated to treating the farms and their cows with utmost care and respect because they know quality care yields quality products. And that creates happy dairy lovers.
“One of the questions that we get often is how can we help? How can we buy and know that it’s coming from Wisconsin? For me that’s really, really important. If you have the opportunity to look for a “Proudly Wisconsin” label on that cheese then you’ll know for sure it came from Wisconsin. And, you also have my permission, you can have two scoops of ice cream every time you have ice cream from now on because that’s going to help the dairy industry,” Hinchley laughed. “What better way can you support our dairy industry than by eating and enjoying our dairy products? We really love that you love dairy!”
Help celebrate Wisconsin’s dairy heritage and say thank you to dairy farmers by sharing your favorite farm photo at NBC15.com/dairyfarmers. And find some great recipes, learn more about Wisconsin’s Dairy Heritage, and more at https://www.wisconsindairy.org.
