Whether you flew in or drove, there’s a good chance you were next to or above one of our over 5,300 dairy farms. There is a reason we are nicknamed ‘the cheese state’ because Wisconsin is home to 1,265,000 dairy cows. And in some counties, there are more dairy cows than people! Don’t judge us on that though! Each cow has a huge economic impact on our state, and we truly embrace cows and farming in our heritage. I mean, there is a reason why you see so many cheeseheads at Lambeau after all!
You may be curious how Wisconsin came to be “America’s Dairyland.” In the 1800s, wheat was the primary farming crop. Continuously growing one crop was depleting the soil, and farms were struggling. Many started adding dairy cows to their farm, and the cows gave farmers a new product — milk — to sell. The cows also made manure which was desperately needed to fertilize the land and depleted soil. While that manure isn’t always the most fun to work with (or smell), it contains great nutrients for the soil. Basically, you could say dairy cows are the ultimate upcyclers!
If you do take in one thing while you are here, I hope you visit one of our 400 cheese plants and dairy processing facilities in Wisconsin. You have GOT to try a cheese curd and one of our 600 varieties of other cheeses. We have plenty to share so make sure you take some home with you too.
You might find it hard to believe, but 95% of Wisconsin dairy farms are family-owned. As you travel and take in our state, remember that the farms dotting the landscape are home to generations of Wisconsin farm families. Our rural communities — which farmers are proud to be a part of — are the heartbeat of America’s Dairyland.
Springtime is a busy time on Wisconsin farms, so I’m not sure how many farmers you’ll run into at the draft itself. You might see farmers doing spring field work and even planting in the fields across Wisconsin while you are here. You might even have a chance to smell our dairy-air. This time of year, it’s common for farmers to spread manure. It is a bit of a smelly job, but the manure contains great nutrients for the soil that help our crops grow so well and helps us use this resource in a smart way.
So, what else are farmers up to right now? Many dairy farms have newborn calves year-round, but others, like our farm, have babies seasonally. We try to avoid the hottest and coldest months and have been very busy with newborns lately! Watch the landscape and you might just see some farm babies running around.
As you travel around Wisconsin, keep an eye out for slow-moving vehicles and if you do happen to get stuck behind a tractor, take a moment to enjoy the landscapes and scenery on your drive.
I might be biased but we have a beautiful state full of great sites, friendly people, welcoming communities and really, really, really good cheese.
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