CASSVILLE, Mo. — Southwest Missouri is the most dairy dense area in the state according to Reagan Bluel, field specialist in agriculture and environment with University of Missouri Extension.
“We have the most Grade A dairy farms in the southern half of the state,” said Bluel.
Missouri currently houses 555 dairy farms certified to ship Grade A milk averaging about 115 milk cows. The average cow milks about seven gallons of milk per day.
Many consumers are seeking local foods. How can someone tell where their gallon of milk is coming from? Bluel recommends using the website https://whereismymilkfrom.com/. There is a code on the gallon that lets a consumer check on the origin of the product.
“Dairy was local before local was cool,” said Bluel. “You can feel good about supporting your local Missouri Dairyman and providing quality nutrition for your family.”
Best of all, Bluel notes that milk is good for you.
Recent research shows milk actually rehydrates better then water, making it a great recovery drink for workouts since it also has nine essential nutrients.
MU Extension has nutrition specialists throughout the state that can do programs or classes on a variety of topics. There is also information available online at extension.missouri.edu.
For more information, contact either of these MU Extension dairy specialists in southwest Missouri: Ted Probert in Wright County at (417) 547-7500 or by email at probertt@missouri.edu, or Reagan Bluel in Barry County at (417) 847-3161 or by email at BluelRJ@missouri.edu.
— Reagan Bluel, University of Missouri Extension
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