TEXAS DAIRY FARMERS CELEBRATE JUNE AS NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH
The Texas Association of Dairymen – which represents Texas’ 395 dairy farmers in legislative and regulatory issues – invites Texans to celebrate June as National Dairy Month.
National Dairy Month started in 1937 to promote drinking milk and has evolved into a celebration of the contributions the dairy community has made to the world.
“Texas dairy farmers work hard every day to feed our state and nation, create jobs and contribute to local and state economies, all while going to great lengths to protect our environment and the health of their livestock,” said TAD Executive Director Darren Turley. “It’s long, hard work, but dairy farmers love what they do and can’t imagine any other profession. Thanks to Texans for allowing dairy farmers to live their passion not just during National Dairy Month, but every day of the year.”
Texas dairy facts of note during National Dairy Month:
- Texas has 395 Grade A dairies with an estimated 487,078 cows.
- In 2016, Texas’ dairy farmers produced more than 10.7 billion pounds of milk (about 1.25 billion gallons).
- Dairy’s total economic impact in Texas is estimated at more than $3.3 billion – milk is ranked third in Texas agriculture commodities for its economic impact.
- Texas is the sixth largest dairy producing state in the nation.
- A Texas dairy cow produces an estimated 22,235 pounds of milk per year (about 2,585 gallons).
- The average Texas dairy farm’s herd has 1,077 cows (eighth nationally) and produces about 94 million pounds of milk (almost 11 million gallons) per year (seventh nationally).
Learn more about the Texas dairy community at TAD’s website, www.milk4texas.org.
The Texas Association of Dairymen (www.milk4texas.org) is a non-profit corporation comprised of dairy cooperatives whose members are individual milk producers in Texas. You can follow TAD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/texasdairy or Twitter @TXDairymen.
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