We’re still America’s Dairyland
DESPITE ALL THE EFFORTS
of pretenders from the west coast or the east, Wisconsin continues to be “America’s Dairyland.”
The latest affirmation of that claim comes from right here in Sheboygan County, in Waldo to be exact.
Waldo is where you will find the new national record holder for milk production, Ever- Green-View My 1326-ET.
While that name might not be as mellifluous or memorable as Elsie or Clarabelle, the record is certainly nothing to laugh at.
Ever-Green-View My 1326-ET (maybe we should just call her “My”) produced 72,170 pounds of milk over a 365-day period — more than 36 tons of raw milk, or just less than 200 pounds of milk a day. By comparison, the average dairy cow in the United States produces less than 20,000 pounds of milk a year — just a little more than one-quarter of My’s production.
This prodigious Holstein produced enough milk in one year to make 8,295 gallons of processed milk — enough to provide three 8-ounce glasses of milk a day for one year for 121 people (about one-quarter of the population of the village of Waldo). That much milk would be enough to make 7,217 pounds of cheese — 115,472 1-ounce slices of cheese.
It all goes to prove that nobody does dairy like Wisconsin — never have and never will. Take that, all you contented cows out in California.
Dairy remains an important industry in Wisconsin and in Sheboygan County. Whether it’s dairy farmers who produce the milk, or the many companies who turn it into wholesome food products for our enjoyment — such as award-winning cheese makers right here in Plymouth — America’s Dairyland is a fitting title for the Badger state.
Keeping that cornerstone industry vital and growing is a key to Wisconsin’s future, and so is recognizing and promoting the dairy industry.
The promotional efforts of the Sheboygan County Dairy Promotion Association were recently recognized at the group’s annual award dinner. That was also where plans for one of the association’s biggest efforts, the annual Dairy Breakfast on the Farm, were announced.
The event, which highlights June Dairy Month every year, will be held at the Highland Dairy Farms in Elkhart Lake Saturday, June 19. It’s always a fun day and great way to recognize and pay tribute to our dairy farmers who, along with record producers like “My,” help keep Wisconsin America’s Dairyland, as it should be.
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