During National Dairy Month, we honor hardworking dairy farmers and celebrate the nutritious milk they produce. There are so many reasons to celebrate real dairy milk, including its power to help you stay hydrated. As it heats up here in the South, many people are probably reaching for sports drinks to make sure they stay hydrated, but studies show that real dairy milk is one of the best beverages for hydration. Researchers credit milk’s natural electrolytes, carbohydrates, and high-quality protein for being effective at improving hydration status and keeping you hydrated longer than water and ..read more

Silvopasture practices increase farm productivity through the simultaneous production of trees for timber, forage for grazing, and livestock for food products that work together to create a healthy ecosystem. The system provides environmental benefits like carbon sequestration and soil enrichment. But what is silvopasture and how does it play a role on the dairy farm?  Silvopasture, a type of agroforestry, is the practice of integrating trees, forage, and grazing animals like cows in a mutually beneficial way. This model combines timber and pasture lands. The term gets its name from ..read more

World Milk Day starts in summer, which is the season for fun in the sun and enjoying time outdoors. But as the temperature rises, so does the risk of dehydration. Dehydration occurs when our body loses more fluid than is taken in. When our internal fluid content lowers, it upsets the balance of nutrients in the body, affecting how it functions. Mild to moderate dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Severe dehydration can be life-threatening. Anyone can become dehydrated, but those who work, play, and exercise outside are at greater risk. The good news is that you can prev ..read more

June is a favorite at The Dairy Alliance, and for good reason! National Dairy Month is the time of the year for all areas of the dairy industry to be highlighted. With fun events, educational farming tours, and more, National Dairy Month kicks off the summer with a toast to dairy. But there are more dairy holidays in June than National Dairy Month. The month kicks off with honoring the deliciousness and benefits of milk on World Milk Day, celebrated each June 1. In 2001, World Milk Day was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Recognizing the importan ..read more

This month, we are highlighting on our social channels some of our dairy farmers who know the importance of providing an environment that keeps their cows healthy, safe, and happy. Animal care is a farmer’s number one priority because when the cows are happy, they produce more milk! Darlin Dairy Farm – Lee County, Alabama The Rankins family prioritizes cow comfort by letting cows and calves graze out in the pasture when they aren’t milking. Allowing cows to graze on pasture is beneficial for foot and leg health, and the cows enjoy it!    “Our calves are our future, and we are ..read more

Southerners know how to host a shindig, but the Southern way of pronouncing party foods doesn’t always match up with how the rest of the world pronounces them. When interacting with those not born and raised adding 3 syllables to every word, your grandiose entrances with each new tray of appetizers are hindered by a language barrier. Bring everyone together by translating these delicious cheeses found in your intricate cheese boards and small bites.  Burrata  Don’t let this cheese fool you. It’s not as simple as “burr-ah-ta.” “Boo-rah-ta” is a cheese as ghostly white as the name sug ..read more

Dairy farming is hard work, speaking from experience. From my early days around my grandfather and father on our dairy farm to today’s producers, I’ve never met a dairy farmer that lacked passion about and commitment to the care of their cows and the quality of the milk produced. Today, the commitment to care across the dairy industry extends beyond a verbal exchange or a personal contact. It’s about setting national standards that reflect science-based best practices. The program, known as FARM, documents the dairy industry’s longstanding commitment to producing high-quality and safe dairy pr ..read more

University of Tennessee basketball player Zakai Zeigler recently met Tennessee dairy farmers to celebrate milk following the spring Dunks On You contest. During the event, The Dairy Alliance sat down with Zakai to learn how he is in the postseason.  Zeigler ended his sophomore season with a torn ACL this March, but it has not slowed him down. When asked if ready for next season, Zeigler was quick to answer: “For sure!”  “I feel really good. The past few weeks have been going really well in my recovery. It feels good to finally be walking again.”  This March Madness, Zakai went a ..read more

Do you have a soon-to-be grad in your life? It doesn’t matter if it is college or preschool, graduation is a big event for everyone involved.   For most of your day, you see a sea of shiny graduation regalia and odd-shaped headwear surrounded by an audience of flashing phones and homemade posters. Speakers share an encouraging—if not drawn out—story and graduates slowly make their way from their chairs across the stage to receive a diploma documenting their hard work. Once complete, everyone converges on their special person to make sure they sent out all necessary thank-yous and made the ..read more

Food lovers, May 11 is National Eat What You Want Day! On this special day, treat yourself by eating what you want to eat, not what you should eat. Enjoy a moment of indulgence with your favorite foods including dairy foods. Reward yourself for your dedication to leading a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise habits.   Do you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities? TOP Marketing Agency in Vancouver ranked the foods Americans would eat every day if they didn’t have to worry about the consequences. Here are the twelve foods Americans craved the most. Include Dairy Foods on E ..read more