Key Messages

The following are key messages for common topics. Please click on the topic you are interested in to jump to that section.

Overall Key Message

• America's dairy farmers are dedicated to providing you with safe, high-quality milk and dairy products. Their commitment to quality also means caring for their animals and the land.

back to top

Animal Treatment

• Dairy cows must be healthy and well cared for in order to produce pure, wholesome milk.
• Dairy cows receive regular medical care, including check-ups, vaccinations and prompt treatment of illnesses.
• Dairy farmers depend on healthy cows for their livelihoods. They care for their herds by providing a nutritious diet, good medical care and healthy living conditions.

back to top

Environment

• As dairy farmers, we understand the importance of protecting our natural resources. We depend on this land for our business and our quality of life.
• Dairy farmers work with government agencies and university researchers to develop new technologies aimed at conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.
• Dairy farmers support practices that make economic sense, help the environment, and are socially responsible to our communities and our world (i.e. reducing energy use, reducing cooling and packaging costs and recycling manure into renewable energy). 

back to top

Antibiotics

• Milk and dairy products are among the most tested and regulated foods in this country.
• All milk is strictly tested for antibiotics on the farm and at the processing plant. Any milk that tests positive is disposed of immediately and does not get into the food supply.
• The milk-testing system provides dairy farmers strong incentives to keep their milk free of antibiotics.
• It is necessary for farmers to occasionally treat cows with antibiotics when they are ill, just as humans sometimes need medication when they are sick.
• A cow being treated for illness is separated from the milking herd to ensure her milk does not go into the milk supply.
• Dairy farmers' commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with top-notch animal care.

back to top

Food Safety

• Milk and dairy foods undergo extensive testing before they reach the grocery store.
• Milking machines deliver milk directly from the cows to a refrigerated holding tank to preserve freshness and safety. The milk is then quickly transported to processing plants for continued freshness and safety. 

back to top

Wisconsin Dairy Impact Messages

• Wisconsin's dairy industry contributes $26.5 billion a year to the state's economy. This translates into an industry which fuels the state's economy at more than $50,000 per minute.

• The average Wisconsin dairy cow generates more than $20,000 a year in economic activity. These dollars circulate throughout the local community, helping to support schools, roads and local businesses.

• Dairy is the largest segment of Wisconsin's $59 billion agriculture industry. It accounts for nearly 40% of all Wisconsin agriculture jobs, employing 146,200 people in the state.

• Dairy contributes more to Wisconsin’s state economy than citrus does to Florida or potatoes to Idaho. Wisconsin’s dairy industry contributes $26.5 billion annually to the state’s economy, while Florida’s citrus industry has an economic impact of only $9 billion and Idaho’s potato industry contributes only $2.7 billion.

• Agriculture is Wisconsin’s signature industry and has been for years. For more than 160 years, agriculture and dairy have driven the state's economy. It remains one of the state’s largest industries, employing one of every ten people.

• Wisconsin leads the nation in both the number and diversity of dairy farms. Our more than 11,000 dairy farms include rotational grazing operations, organic producers, and conventional dairy operations of all sizes.

• Over 99% of Wisconsin's farms are family owned. Many of our dairy farms have been in operation for generations, and are continuing to involve the next generation of family members.

• Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of on-farm bio-energy systems with 31 methane digesters installed and more planned. Methane digesters are being used on farms to turn manure into renewable bio-energy.  Using this technology, five cows can provide enough power for an average size home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• The dairy industry is linked directly and indirectly to many businesses in Wisconsin, providing jobs and additional revenue for the state. Nearly every sector of Wisconsin’s economy is linked to dairy. For example, every dollar of dairy income generates an additional $1.54 for our communities and our state.

• The direct contribution of dairying to Wisconsin–through dairy farming and dairy product manufacturing–is only part of the picture. The dairy industry also uses machinery, trucks, fuel, financial services and other goods and services from local industries, which generate additional jobs and income in non-dairy industries.

• Wisconsin is home to more than 210 dairy plants, including 127 plants manufacturing Wisconsin cheese. Wisconsin cheesemakers produce more than 600 different varieties, types and styles of cheese.

• If Wisconsin were a country, we would rank fourth in the world in terms of cheese production. And Wisconsin wins more awards for its cheese than any other state or country in national and international cheese competitions.

• Wisconsin’s cheese plants produce over 2.6 billion pounds of cheese every year–this accounts for nearly 26% of all the cheese made in the U.S. Wisconsin also produces nearly 45% of all specialty cheeses in the nation.  And 90% of Wisconsin cheese is sold outside of our state’s borders in major markets all across the country, bringing millions of dollars back into our economy.

back to top