June 15, 2006 - Over 700 Texas dairy producers and the enormous use and benefits of their product – milk – are in the spotlight during this “June Dairy Month.”

What began as National Milk Month in 1937, the annual tradition of celebrating the dairy industry and its many contributions to U.S. society is alive and well in many rural, and urban, communities with festivals, parades, and business and civic promotions.

The first National Milk Month, sponsored by chain stores, was from June 10 to July 10 with a theme of “Keep Youthful - Drink Milk.” The message of dairy products’ healthful benefits continues to be promoted by the industry’s organizations and businesses. The month’s celebration was first established to help stabilize dairy demand during periods of peak production, according to information at www.drinkmilk.org.

In 1939, June Dairy Month became the official title of the promotion and focused on greater use of dairy products. A public relations effort to promote the product during the month continues to grow.

 On the decline, however is the number of dairy producers in Texas (and many other states). 

The latest Milk Market Report (with April 2006 statistics) shows a total of 741 producers in Texas compared to 776 one year ago; 1,122 in April 2000; and 1,738 producers in Texas a decade ago.

When Texas had 1,738 producers in April 1996, they marketed 575.8 million pounds of milk during the month. Ten years later, in April 2006, the 741 producers marketed 632.3 million pounds during the month.

 One statistic that has remained the same over many years is the ranking of the top three milk-producing counties. 

At the top of the list in April 2006, April 2005, April 2000, and April 1996 is Erath County with 107, 106, 146, and 188 producers, respectively. While the county, located in Central Texas, is not “tops” when it comes to the number of producers, it has continued to record the top amount of milk production per month.

Most recently, the 107 producers marketed 115.5 million pounds of milk in one month. Ten years ago, the 188 producers in Erath County marketed 133.2 million pounds.

Holding the No. 2 position on the list, throughout the years, is Hopkins County in Northeast Texas. The once well-known “Dairy Capital of Texas” had 137 producers in April 2006, 147 in April 2005, 213 in April 2000, and 361 in April 1996. The county’s milk production for these months is listed as 54.6 million pounds, 48.9 million pounds, 55,6 million pounds, and 75.7 million pounds, respectively. Hopkins County continues to have the most dairy producers in the state.

Another Central Texas county, Comanche, has held onto the No. 3 place on the list for several years. Most recently, the report shows 29 producers in the county, compared to 34 in April 2005, 48 in April 2000, and 56 in April 1996. 

These producers generated 42.2 million pounds in April 2006, 45 million pounds in April 2005, 49.1 million pounds in April 2000, and 56 million pounds in April 1996.

The recent Milk Market Reports, from the Texas-New Mexico Milk Market Administrator for the Southwest marketing region, continues to show increased milk production (not necessarily producers) in the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. 

For example, the April 2006 list shows Deaf Smith County posted a 129.34 percent increase in production compared to their April 2005 production.

The county’s 10 producers marketed 40 million pounds of milk in April 2006, placing them No. 4 on the recent list. A year ago, in April 2005, the county’s five producers, and 17.4 million gallons of milk, ranked them in the No. 10 spot.

Overall, the Top 10 milk-producing counties in Texas have increased their production 8.41 percent over April 2005 marketings. The 632.3 million pounds of milk marketed in April 2006 by the state’s 741 producers is an increase of 11.99 percent over April 2005 figures.