By Jackie McClaskey
Kansas is one of the fastest growing dairy regions in the United States, and the Kansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to celebrate our hard-working dairy farmers during the month of June as the Governor has proclaimed it Kansas Dairy Month.
The Kansas dairy and milk production industry grew in 2015, with 143,000 dairy cows producing 3.1 billion pounds of milk valued at $537 million, and behind those numbers are more than 300 family-run dairy farms. The growth of the dairy industry in Kansas means economic gains for local communities and the state, and more safe and nutritious dairy products for families in Kansas and across the region.
Kansas dairies are becoming more progressive, as dairy farmers are making investments to enhance the milk processing industry in the state, and adding new advanced technologies like robotic milking machines. In addition, a world-class milk powder production facility is currently being constructed in the state.
“Kansas dairy farmers are an important part of the economic growth of the agriculture industry,” said Jackie McClaskey, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture. “Their success is a reflection of their hard work and commitment to improving the industry through innovations in dairy farming and milk processing.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s dairy program is committed to serving the dairy farmers in our state by supplying resources to help their farms and processing operations grow and thrive. The dairy inspection team helps them stay on the forefront of the dairy industry by providing information and education and by advocating for the dairy industry both locally and nationally.