Wisconsin Is America’s and the World’s Dairyland

A commentary by Secretary Randy Romanski of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

In honor of National Dairy Month, I hereby proclaim that Wisconsin is not just America’s Dairyland, but the World’s Dairyland. Our state continues to lead the world in dairy thanks not only to the hardworking farmers and dairy cows, but also to those who grow quality feed,

veterinarians, genetics professionals, processors, and countless others who support the industry every day. This June, we celebrate those hardworking individuals and the dairy industry as a whole as it continues to adapt to the changing global marketplace.

Wisconsin dairy products continue to reach new consumers across the world, creating new opportunities for farmers and processors. Mexico has become a growing market for Wisconsin dairy farmers and cheese makers, more than doubling in growth since 2023, and is now the number one export market for Wisconsin cheese. Thailand has also become a growing market for Wisconsin dairy products, due to increasing demand for quality dairy ingredients and foods and improving trade conditions creating greater opportunity for U.S. suppliers. With these growing export opportunities, dairy continues to contribute significantly to Wisconsin’s economy, generating $52.8 billion annually. In fact, if Wisconsin was its own country, it would be the fourth largest cheese producer in the world, behind the U.S., Germany, and France.

Cheese continues to be a defining strength of Wisconsin’s dairy industry. Our state produces more than 600 different types of cheese, nearly double any other state, and it accounts for 37% of Wisconsin’s dairy exports. Growing consumer demand for more high-protein products is aligned with Wisconsin’s dairy products, especially in cheese, yogurt, and cottage cheese. In addition, whey is a co-product of cheese production and is the main ingredient in widely popular whey protein powders and other protein-focused products.

Wisconsin is proud to have successful programs that continue to innovate, educate, and strengthen our dairy industry. The Center for Dairy Research provides technical support, education, and research to dairy farmers and others in the industry. Similarly, the Dairy Innovation Hub is a state-funded initiative that brings together scientists, farmers, and

businesses to advance dairy sustainability, efficiency, and development. The Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports has continued to be possible due to the investments agreed upon by Governor Evers and the legislature. This funding has supported the Wisconsin dairy industry’s resilience to changing markets and allows us to continue to develop internationally.

This June Dairy Month, I encourage everyone to continue supporting Wisconsin’s dairy industry by looking for the blue Proudly Wisconsin Dairy® label and the red Something Special from Wisconsin™ label on products in stores near you. Whether it’s milk, cheese, ice cream, or another dairy product, every purchase helps support Wisconsin dairy farm families and one of our state’s important industries.