Guest Blog

When it comes to the declining consumption of milk, one substance stands out among the increasing number of competitors.

Water. Yes … water.

Dear Dairy Industry,

On a recent dairy industry conference call, Dr. David Kohl, part owner of Homestead Creamery in Wirtz, Virginia, and professor emeritus at Virginia Tech, said something that really struck a chord for our organizations: “Don’t equate your self-worth to your net worth.”

Man, it is a tough time for the dairy industry. Things haven’t been great the last couple years and then bang! COVID-19 strikes and milk prices plummet.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been around dairy cows, and I have worked with my dad, Brian, on our dairy in Shafter, California. Every Saturday morning, I loved going out with him on the dairy in the golf cart to check cows.

Who doesn’t love a good snack? It doesn’t matter if you’re my 4-year-old daughter literally trying to climb into the refrigerator to forage, or you’re somebody like my husband who’s topping off the gas tank at the local Mini Mart on his way home from the sale barn and is browsing the shelves for a treat.

No one could foresee a crippling global pandemic.

We are witnessing the decimation of the dairy industry. The crisis playing out before our eyes is staggering.