News Release
June 3, 2011
Contact:
Mary Geiger
Communications Director
Kansas Department of Agriculture
(785) 296-2653 phone
Mary.Geiger@kda.ks.gov
June is a “Dairy” Special Month in Kansas
TOPEKA – Governor Sam Brownback has declared June as Dairy Month in Kansas in order to recognize the importance of the dairy industry to the state. Kansas is home to more than 300 dairies producing more than 50,000 truckloads of milk annually, which is worth about $350 million. The dairy industry employs Kansans on farms and in supporting industry jobs. These jobs bring with them families that work, eat, shop, volunteer and go to school in rural Kansas.
"A strong Kansas dairy industry is key to helping us reach our goals of increasing personal income, creating private sector jobs and strengthening our rural communities as well as growing overall agricultural production in our state," said Governor Brownback. "I'm delighted by the strength and vitality of dairy farms in Kansas, and I'm proud to mark June 2011 as Kansas Dairy Month."
Governor Brownback presented the Dairy Month proclamation to dairy industry representatives at a celebration at Royal Farms Dairy outside of Garden City Thursday.
"As dairy producers, we're proud of the contributions we make to the Kansas economy and our part in delivering consumers wholesome, healthy, abundant supplies of milk products," said Kansas Livestock Association Dairy Committee Chairman Kyle Averhoff, a partner in Royal Farms Dairy.
In addition to supporting the current dairy industry, Governor Brownback and Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman spoke about the opportunities for dairy industry expansion in Kansas.
"Kansas has a reputation as an agriculture-friendly state where the dairy industry can grow and prosper," said Governor Brownback. "It's an industry we support and want to expand as we look towards the future."
"We are committed to encouraging the growth and expansion of daries and supporting industries in Kansas," said Secretary Rodman. "We have the feed and land resources as well as a state government committed to supporting the hard work of dairy farmers instead of regulating them out of business."
The dairy industry is committed to animal welfare and environmental stewardship. Dairy farmers take care of their cows by providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions. Dairy farmers also care for their environment they live and work in. For example, at Royal Farms Dairy, water is reused numerous times for cleaning and cooling and ultimately pumped to an irrigation system to water the nearby corn fields. Additionally, manure produced is utilized as a natural fertilizer for crops.
"As we recognize June as Dairy Month, let's pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated dairy farmers as well as the dairy cows, remarkable animals that can consume feed items not edible by humans and convert them into milk, often considered nature's mostly nearly perfect food," said Kansas Dairy Association Executive Director Mike Bodenhausen.
Governor Sam Brownback presenting a dairy month proclamation to Kansas Livestock Association Dairy Committee Chairman and Royal Farms Dairy partner Kyle Averhoff.
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