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June 5, 2018 Rep. Gary Hebl, (608) 266-7678

June is National Dairy Month, and nobody understands the benefits of the dairy industry like Wisconsinites. Wisconsin has earned the nickname “America’s Dairyland” for a reason – the dairy industry is the largest segment of Wisconsin agriculture, contributing more than $43 billion to our state economy on an annual basis, which contributes more to our economy than citrus does to Florida ($10.7 billion), or potatoes do to Idaho ($6.7 billion).

Wisconsin cheesemakers produce more than 26% of the cheese made each year in the United States, making Wisconsin the #1 cheese-producing state in the country. In fact, 90% of Wisconsin’s milk is turned into cheese (more than 3 billion pounds of it each year), and 90% of that cheese is sold outside of our state.

Our state is not just known for the quantity of cheese produced, but for the quality of it as well. Wisconsin cheese wins more awards than any other state in the country, winning 60% of the awards given at the 2017 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. In second place was New York, which won 8% of the awards.

June Dairy Month is a great reminder of the incredible impact that the dairy industry has on our economy, on our society, and on our culture. Throughout the month, Wisconsin counties will host Dairy Breakfasts across the state demonstrating the positive impact that our dairy producers have on Wisconsin’s economy. June Dairy Month is a reminder of Wisconsin’s proud dairy history.

Whether it’s raising a glass of ice cold milk, buying some cheese curds at your local farmers market, or enjoying locally-made ice cream, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating June Dairy Month and recognizing all of the good that the dairy industry does for our communities and our state.

Rep. Gary Hebl represents the 46th Assembly District, which includes the Cities of Sun Prairie and Stoughton, the Village of Cottage Grove, and the Townships of Cottage Grove, Dunkirk, Pleasant Springs, and Sun Prairie.

Contact Rep. Hebl with any questions or concerns you may have at (608) 266-7678 or via email at Rep.Hebl@legis.wi.gov.

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