As we wave goodbye to June, which is National Dairy Month, dairy farmers will remain in the limelight — along with other farmers — at two prominent Butler County events — the ongoing Big Butler Fair and the upcoming Butler Farm Show.

These local events give the public a glimpse into the life of farmers and offer a chance for people to understand how agriculture affects their everyday lives. There are opportunities to see people milking a cow or to pet a calf at the petting zoo.

But what we hope those visiting the stalls at the fair realize is that it is far more than a show for the people who work in the farming industry. Dairy farmers don’t have days off. Their lives revolve around caring for animals that provide a consistent supply of dairy products — milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream — for consumers.

The dairy industry has a $6 million annual impact on the county economy with 23 dairy farms throughout Butler County, facts detailed in a recent proclamation read by the county commissioners.

In total, our state is home to nearly 5,000 dairy farms and 468,000 dairy cows located on farms that contribute $11.8 billion in economic revenue and support 47,000 jobs, Sen. Elder Vogel, Jr., R-47, detailed in a recent news release.

“Our farmers are the backbone of our nation and ensure our homes are enriched with quality dairy, meat and produce,” said Vogel, the majority chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affair Committee.

Legislators like Vogel have to carefully consider and craft legislation that sets up dairy farmers for success. These farmers have no time to spare, so legislation regarding this industry must provide resources and protection rather than hurdles and hoops.

Among the legislation Vogel highlighted in a June news release were efforts to establish an agriculture innovation grant program through Senate Bill 1269, to increase dairy farmer access to the federal Dairy Margin Coverage Program by assisting them in enrolling via Senate Bill 1229, and to reform the current over-order premium system to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency in legislation that is yet to be introduced.

A memorandum from Vogel and Sen. Judith L. Schwank, D-11, notes “discussion has been ongoing for many years with plenty of strong opinions from various stakeholder groups” about the latter. It goes on to say proposed legislation would take a “holistic approach to the entire over-order premium process.”

It’s encouraging to know there is a discussion happening. On behalf of Butler County’s dairy farmers, we appreciate the interest in legislation that helps meet the needs in the dairy industry, but hope legislators are engaging in discussions, not only with their colleagues, but with dairy farmers, too.

— TL