For many people, the month of June is characterized by a release from the classroom, days spent at the beach or pool, the return of fresh backyard foods to the dinner table, and many other early summertime activities. Farmers and their families also enjoy this time as a new season approaches, but agriculturists alike have another reason to celebrate – it’s National Dairy Month!
National Dairy Month began in 1937 as National Milk Month. It was a way to spur demand during the time of year when dairy cows left their wintry barns and got out on pastures with lush, high-energy grass. With the resulting milk surplus and rather rudimentary refrigeration technologies, farmers needed a way to promote their quality product and keep it from going to waste. Thus, the dairy month was born. The promotion can look different across the nation; in Wisconsin, for example, National Dairy Month is marked with events such as breakfasts on the farm or Madison’s Cows on the Concourse event. However, the heart and purpose of the cause remains steadfast in promoting one of nature’s most perfect foods. To get in on the action, check out these recipes perfect for summertime:
Dairy is a powerhouse food because it delivers 13 essential nutrients into our diets to help nourish our bodies and enhance our overall health. In fact, it offers three of the four under-consumed nutrients of public health concern outlined in the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While it’s well-known that dairy is a great provider of calcium, did you know it’s also the top source for vitamin D and potassium? Read below to find out more about each of the nutrients in milk and how they help your body perform and feel its best.
- Proteins, specifically amino acids, are the building blocks of our bodies and are important to every single biological function. Protein provides structure to tissues, builds and repairs cells, and supports a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin A is another nutrient, which is also called retinol. While it has skin benefits, this vitamin is very important to our vision and the functioning of our heart, lungs, and major organs.
- Vitamin D and calcium work hand in hand to strengthen bones and teeth. Calcium is known to strengthen our bone structures, but it wouldn’t be possible without Vitamin D helping your body absorb it. Along with this, vitamin D helps support a strong immune system.
- Niacin, vitamin B5, and riboflavin are all important vitamins in milk that help our bodies break down food for energy. Niacin also helps keep our nervous system, digestive system, and skin healthy while Vitamin B5 helps form red blood cells.
- Vitamin B12 is essential for the formation and function of the nervous system. It helps insulate nerve cells so that they can send signals from our brain to other parts of our body.
- Phosphorus found in milk is a key component in building strong bones and teeth alongside calcium and vitamin D. It also is found in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s main energy source.
- Iodine is needed in our bodies to produce thyroid hormones, which are then critical for bone and brain development through pregnancy and infancy.
- Bananas don’t have to be the only source of potassium! It is found in all body tissues and is required in balancing fluid throughout our bodies, regulating the heartbeat and blood pressure, as well as ensuring proper muscle and nerve function.
- Selenium and zinc are both important in supporting healthy immune systems by protecting cells and fighting off “bugs.” Individually, selenium helps regulate metabolism, while an interesting function of zinc is that it helps wounds heal and aids in our sense of taste.
It’s clear to see that a nutrient-dense punch is packed into each 8-ounce serving of milk! Better yet, the nation’s dairy supply is one of the safest food categories to consume. Milk and dairy products in the United States are highly regulated and tested according to Food and Drug Administration standards. If you’re concerned about antibiotics, the milk on your store shelves never has any antibiotics in it. Just like humans, cows sometimes get sick and need antimicrobial therapy to recover from a certain illness. Farmers work closely with their veterinarians to use antimicrobial drugs only when necessary, which contributes to positive animal welfare. If a cow is treated with antibiotics, her milk is then diverted and discarded until tests show that there are no longer any drug traces. It is against state and federal law to sell milk with any antibiotic residues, so a sample is also taken from every milk truck before it is unloaded at a processing facility. If any traces are found, the load is discarded. To emphasize, zero retail-ready milk products have tested positive for traces of antibiotics since 2011.
As the days get warmer, now is the perfect time to grab a dairy treat and savor all that these products have to offer. Let’s raise a cold glass or a frozen cone to the dairy community not just during National Dairy Month, but all year long!
All posts are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of the Animal Ag Alliance.
