With the governor out of town, kids took over the mansion lawn — ringing cowbells and eating ice cream in the rain.
It was all part of Nebraska’s official kickoff to Dairy Month, as Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly signed a proclamation celebrating a growing industry that pumps more than $5.8 million into the state’s economy.
From school lunchrooms to family kitchens, dairy is making a comeback — and Nebraska is riding the wave.
A decade after whole milk was pulled from school cafeterias, new research is turning heads in Congress and classrooms alike. The U.S. Senate is currently considering a measure to bring whole milk back into schools.
“The science has flipped dramatically,” said Kris Bosquet, executive director of the Nebraska State Dairy Association. “Whole milk, packing all the vitamins and nutrients it has, is really the ideal product you want to feed your children.”
Bosquet pointed to a Journal of Pediatrics study that found adolescents who drink whole milk are 40 percent less likely to be obese.
“Stronger kids, smarter kids,” he added. “It fills you up, you don’t get an energy crash, and it tastes better — so they’ll actually drink it.”
While milk is trending up, butter is too. Whether sparked by pandemic baking or shifting science, consumers are turning back to real butter over processed spreads.
“Full-fat dairy — consume the whole product,” Bosquet said. “Like the MAHA movement says: go back to basics.”
Surprisingly, even weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are helping boost dairy demand. Because the medications require users to consume more protein, physicians are recommending fortified whole milk, Bosquet said.
Meanwhile, Nebraska’s dairy producers are expanding to meet the moment.
Doug Temme, a dairy farmer and president of the Nebraska State Dairy Association, said multiple projects are underway — including an expansion at the Actus Nutrition plant in Norfolk, which will process up to 3 million pounds of milk per day.
“Seward is going to have a new plant coming, and the butter plant at West Point is expanding — some positive growth here,” Temme said.
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for later this month in Seward, where a greenfield facility will process fluid milk at a capacity of 1.8 million pounds daily. Industry leaders say Nebraska’s access to land, water and electricity makes it ripe for dairy growth.
“Create competition, create demand for farmers — and that’s what we’ve done,” Bosquet said.
The impact extends beyond the plants themselves. According to state data, each dairy cow contributes about $12,000 in local economic impact.
But at the governor’s residence, the mood was all fun — as kids debated their favorite dairy treats.
“My favorite? Chocolate milk,” one said. “Ice cream? Vanilla and strawberry.”
“There’s no such thing as a bad flavor!” another shouted, before a third child chimed in: “Yes, there is — chocolate’s bad!”
One preschool teacher summed it up best:
“When they give you milk, say thank you. It’s so good for your body — it’s gonna make you grow tall!”
With new investments and growing appetites, Nebraska’s dairy industry has reason to celebrate.
“Feed an extra slice of cheese on their hamburger, drink an extra bottle of milk, and an extra scoop of ice cream in the month of June,” Bosquet said.
