Dairy month delights
June is National Dairy Month! It's a great time to celebrate the nutritional and benefits dairy has to offer, not to mention the dairy farmers who make it all possible.
The number of dairies in North Dakota is way down, according to a December 2025 NDSU Extension publication. Between 1992 and 2024, North Dakota realized an 88% reduction in milk cow inventory, reducing the herd from 80,000 to 10,000 cows.
There are, however, two new dairies in the works that could "inject approximately $270 million in initial investments and add 37,500 milk cows to North Dakota’s dairy cow inventory," according to the Extension publication.
That's good news for North Dakotans. Expanding animal agriculture helps communities grow and thrive. Several years ago, NDFB commissioned a white paper to determine the benefits of siting a 1,000-cow dairy in Stutsman County, and the value-added benefits were upwards of $2.7 million.
The best part, though, is the outstanding nutritional benefits of dairy milk.
Did you know that when it comes to nutrients, a tall cold glass of milk is a nutrient powerhouse? According to the Gonna Need Milk website, drinking milk helps support a healthy immune system. An 8 oz. glass of milk provides:
- Protein: 16%
- Calcium: 25%
- Vitamin D: 15%
- Vitamin B12: 50%
- Vitamin A: 15%
of your daily nutrition requirements.
So celebrate June Dairy Month with us, raise a glass and say cheers to the dairy farmers across the state who work hard to produce the dairy goodness we enjoy!
Here's a great Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie recipe from the NDSU Extension website:
1 frozen banana
1 container (6 ounces) vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder (optional)
1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
3 ice cubes (optional)
Cut fresh banana into 4-6 chunks. Place in a tightly sealed container or zippered bag. Freeze for at least 4 hours. Place frozen banana, yogurt, milk, peanut butter and optional ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Makes two servings. Each serving has 190 calories, 4.5 grams (g) fat, 7 g protein, 33 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber and 100 milligrams sodium.