This article was #11 in PDmag's Top 25 most-well read articles in 2010. Summary: This online early exclusive article featured photos and highlights from the 2010 Southern Great Plains Dairy Consortium, held in Clovis, New Mexico, May 17-June 25. The related article, “Southwest summer dairy program undergoes expansion” was published in the July 21 issue. Both articles spoke to the program’s remarkable accomplishment of doubling enrollment since it began in 2008. Because this article was so popular, we asked one of the program coordinators, Michael Tomaszewski, a follow-up question:

Last week, more than 50 Minnesota dairy producers and individuals interested in the industry boarded a couple of coach buses and headed east to Wisconsin. The trip was known as the annual Summer Bus Tour, co-hosted by the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and University of Minnesota Extension. It is meant to expose dairy producers to different types of operations and each other in a casual networking setting.

“It really is blowing,” exclaimed 8 year old Maxwell Lee as he pushed the button to turn on a fan showing how farmers keep cows comfortable. Maxwell was one of the young guests to celebrate the grand opening of Hilmar Cheese Company’s Visitor Center’s new dairy exhibits on June 10, 2010.

The emerging depiction of the current state of the dairy industry in the U.S. is becoming an ever-changing reality for large and small dairy farms across the country. The outcome is uncertain and tends to be rather intimidating to those who try to predict the future of our dairy industry.

We've had a busy month giving out Proud to Dairy items and promoting June Dairy Month activities. But the celebration isn't over yet! We'll be awarding four hats on Friday, June 25, and giving away the iPod at the end of the day on June 30. Check out the ways you can enter:

Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding shared an industry update with Pennsylvania’s dairy leaders on Wednesday, June 9, and celebrated Dairy Month with a 90-gallon ice cream sundae served on the Capitol steps.

ABS Global held its 2010 Spring Tour May 17–20 in scenic Idaho and Utah. The tour drew 80 participants worldwide, including individuals from six different countries. On the tour, participants were able to view progeny within a wide array of dairy facilities as well as witness outstanding results of ABS’ programs including Reproductive Management System (RMS) and the ABS Cornerstone progeny test program.