How can it be that June 2014 is almost history?!! I have so much that I want to share about the dairy industry that I might have to play like it is June for a few more weeks!
I fell in love with a dairy farmer 31 years ago. Kevin grew up milking Holsteins with his family. Right before we got married changes were made in the farming operation which included the elimination of dairy farming. However, Holsteins with their black and white markings (each has its own unique markings) still remain a major part of our operation, but in a different way! Many people driving by or arriving at the farm think we must milk when they see all of our Holsteins – after all, out of all the breeds of U.S. Dairy Cattle, 93% of dairy cattle are Holsteins! 
Even though we do not milk cows (dairy farm) our cattle operation depends on a dairy farm as we purchase the bull (male) calves from a dairy farm. When they arrive at our farm, each calf weighs about 90 lbs. and we feed them out (1400 lbs.) They become yummy hamburgers and mouth watering steaks! ( A cow must have a calf in order to give milk.) When Kevin’s family milked cows the milk was sold to a local dairy – Anderson Erickson in Des Moines just as the dairy farm we work with sells their milk today. As a child my family purchased Anderson Erickson and I remember having it delivered to our back door in town!
Home delivery of milk (i.e. the milkman) started in 1942 as a war conservation measure.
A glass of chocolate milk is a great way to replenish your energy after a hard day’s work or sporting event.
To learn more about dairy farming and dairy nutrition see Midwest Dairy Association.
A couple of classroom resources include pages 12 & 13 of Iowa Agriculture for Kids and the following DVD
One of the ways you can get a serving of dairy is from eating ice cream. Kevin’s cousin’s family recently opened a wonderful ice cream shop! See more details on their Facebook page.
Deep Rock Ice Cream Shoppe – Sully, IA
Here are a couple of un facts about ice cream. 1.) It takes 12 lbs. of whole milk to make one gallon of ice cream.
2.) More ice cream is sold on Sunday than on any other day of the week.
Today I am including one of my family’s favorite ice cream dessert recipes. It is a great one for hot summer days it does not require the oven!
MALT SHOP DELIGHT
MALT SHOP DELIGHT
16 oz. crushed graham crackers
¼ c. butter
¼ cup sugar
Press in a 9×13 pan.
½ gal. vanilla ice cream
1 c. chopped malted milk balls*
2 Tbsp. milk
Mix and spread on crust.
6 Tbsp. chocolate flavored Malted Milk
6 Tbsp. Marshallow Creme
2 Tbsp. milk
2 c. whipping cream
Whip. Spread over ice cream mixture. Sprinkle with more malted milk balls.
*(12 oz. pkg. malted milk balls)
In the spring, especially for Easter, I use the malted eggs for a little color.
Enjoy a tall refreshing glass of milk or a yummy dip of ice cream today!
Julie
Farm Life in Black & White 
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