HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.271
Reps. Alexander, Paquette, Bezotte, Johnsen, Cavitt, Maddock,
Beson, Markkanen, Aragona, Kunse, O'Neal, Wozniak, Harris, Roth,
Schmaltz, Wendzel, McKinney, Fox, DeSana, Outman, Zorn, Slagh,
Meerman, DeBoyer, BeGole, Prestin, Rigas, Posthumus, Borton,
VanderWall, Schuette, Lightner, Smit, Bruck, Martin, Neyer, Fink,
Miller, Brixie, Breen, Fitzgerald, Glanville, Haadsma, Hill,
Liberati, Paiz, Rogers, Wilson and Young offered the following
resolution:
1 A resolution to declare June 2024 as Dairy Month in the state
2 of Michigan.
3 Whereas, Michigan’s dairy industry is one of the largest
4 agricultural industries in our state with an annual economic impact
5 of $24.36 billion and our state’s dairy farmers and processors play
Dairy M 24H
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1 an important role in feeding Michiganders and people across the
2 nation; and
3 Whereas, Michigan has 993 permitted dairy farms of all sizes
4 in our state, with farmers who take pride in producing safe,
5 nutritious, and delicious products for Michiganders; and
6 Whereas, There are 440,000 dairy cows on dairy farms of all
7 sizes in our state, which produced twelve billion pounds of milk in
8 2023, ranking Michigan sixth in the nation for milk production; and
9 Whereas, Michigan’s dairy industry generates nearly 111,000
10 jobs directly and indirectly, both on and off the farm; and
11 Whereas, Michigan ranks first in milk production per cow among
12 all states in the United States with an average of 27,564 pounds
13 produced per cow in 2023; and
14 Whereas, Michigan dairy businesses have a range of
15 technologies, from large dairy processors with automated ‘robotic’
16 milking systems to smaller on-farm artisanal cheese makers. Dairy
17 processing in Michigan supports farm families and communities
18 across the state and keeps healthy, nutritious dairy products
19 affordable for all residents; and
20 Whereas, Dairy products, including milk, cheese, sour cream,
21 ice cream, and more, are both delicious and nutritious. Milk alone
22 provides 22% of the calcium, 40% of the vitamin D and 10% of the
23 potassium in the American diet. Research shows that healthy eating
24 styles, including low-fat and fat-free dairy foods, are linked to a
25 reduced risk of some of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the
26 U.S., as well as improved bone health; and
27 Whereas, National Dairy Month is traditionally celebrated in
28 June to encourage Americans to reduce the risks of osteoporosis,
29 high blood pressure, obesity, and colon cancer through consumption
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1 of dairy products and help parents and caregivers teach children
2 the importance of healthy eating habits, good nutrition, and
3 physical activity, and how dairy fits into a well-balanced, healthy
4 meal plan; now, therefore, be it
5 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of
6 this legislative body declare June 2024 as Dairy Month in the state
7 of Michigan.